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SNOWRIDGE CONSTRUCTION: Old-
fashioned Craftsmanship Meets State-
of-the-Art Technology
Snowridge is a certified installer of Alcoa, Royal
and Certainteed vinyl, as well as Hardiplank fiber
cement siding. If you are unfamiliar with these
low-maintenance home exterior products, here
are some things you should know:
HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BEST SIDING
JOB
Avoid Overpriced “Retail Chain Contractors”
Much of the siding and windows sold and
installed in the Northwest is done by large “retail”
sales organizations. You know these companies.
They’re the ones that try to telemarket you when
you’re eating dinner. These retailers often don’t
install the work themselves - they sell the job to
another company.
This can present problems. For example,
because the installation is not managed and
controlled by the company selling the job, often
times the standards of quality can range from job
to job. Some jobs are fine, others not so good,
some poor.
Perhaps the worst thing about contracting with a
large “retail” company is the price. In order to pay
for their high sales costs, some of these
companies charge double, even triple what we
feel is a fair price.
Avoid The Common Scams Used To Pressure
You
The most common ploy is "the model home
discount" (sometimes called an advertising
discount). This is an old “tin man” (aluminum
siding) story that centers around the need to use
your home as a model to advertise the
company's services in the neighborhood to get
more jobs. The salesman will tell you that if you
allow them to use your home as a “show-home”
for advertising purposes, they’ll rebate several
thousand dollars to you. The only catch is you
must sign now. Their prices are so marked up
that the so-called "discount" is a joke.
Another scam is the “keep our workers busy”
story. If you sign right now and put their workers
on the job, they’ll knock thousands off the price.
To avoid these scams, as well as sloppy work...
CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR
Is the contractor licensed and bonded with the
State of Washington? You can check this
information out yourself by visiting Washington
State's Department of Labor & Industries (go to
"Quick Links" on the right side of page).
If a contractor is licensed and bonded, then you
and your home are protected in case of damage
caused by the contractor and/or their employees.
Will the contractor provide you with written
references?You should look for a well-
established contractor who will gladly give you
several customer references. Call the references.
Ask how the contractor performed. Most people
will be happy to give you an honest evaluation. Go
ahead and take a look at some of the contractors
work.
How does the contractor handle “dirty work”?
A clean work site is fundamental to a smooth
remodeling project. The contractor should clean
up any debris at the end of each day, keep tools
neatly stowed, and neatly stack any excess
materials.
.
Does the contractor provide you with a written
material and labor warranty? Your job should
be backed with a written guarantee. Many
contractors will tell you that their job comes with a
“Lifetime Guarantee”. But what they really mean
is that the manufacturer will guarantee the
product against manufacturing defects for life.
This is not the same thing as a written labor
warranty. A labor warranty insures that any defect
in workmanship is repaired or replaced by the
contractor, at no expense to you! Many contractors
and retailers will not provide you with a written
labor warranty. If a contractor won’t guarantee it,
don’t sign.
Snowridge's workmanship is guaranteed for
three full years.
Are you and the contractor on the same page?
Make sure you know what you want and ask for a
detailed contract that spells out the work to be
done. Understand the contractor's "change-order"
policy, that is, any changes that you may make
during the course of the project. Discuss and
resolve deadlines, anticipated delays, and any
interruptions in your daily routine.
Is the contractor's estimate too low? If you don't
have a good idea of what your siding will cost, it
never hurts to get a few estimates. When an
estimate is too low, ask yourself what is being left
out or what short cut is being taken.
Here's how to make sure your contractor isn't
skimping on the details:
- Before the siding is installed, the contractor
should sheathe your home with a house wrap
material, such as fanfold insulation or a 15# felt
paper. Not only is house wrap required by
building codes, these products keep out water
and air drafts.
-A good contractor will use steel starter strips to
start the first course of siding on a house. Some
contractors use wood. This is not a sound
practice. Over a little time the wood can swell,
locking the first row of vinyl siding in place. This
will prevent the natural expansion and contraction
vinyl siding needs and cause the siding to buckle.
- Some contractors run the siding down to the
foundation line. This makes your home look like it’
s sinking. The foundation can be capped up to 16
inches to give it a clean look and to prevent
moisture.
-Many contractors won’t inspect and replace any
existing rotten wood. They just cover over it. This
is not good construction practice. Siding screws
won’t “bite” into rotten wood. Loose screws mean
your siding can blow off in a storm. (please note:
replacing previously undetected dry rot will
usually be an additional charge)
-Instead of hand cutting, hand sizing, and hand
nailed every piece of vinyl, some contractors in a
hurry use a nail gun. Though this is quicker, nail
guns can drive nails into the wall too tightly. This
may prevent the siding’s natural expansion and
contraction. This can cause the siding to warp
and buckle so much it looks like a “roller
coaster”. Plus, often they’ll use cheap nails that
rust. A few months later, long streaks of rust can
mark up your otherwise clean walls. Snowridge
installs rustproof galvanized-steel nails or
screws.
-A good contractor should finish around your
windows and doors with special trim (called J
Channel). This neatly finishes off the edge of the
siding. Many contractors use caulking. Over time,
caulk can dry out, leaving an ugly gap.
-Light fixtures should be installed with special
mounting blocks. This prevents damage to the
siding. Some contractors install outside light
fixtures by cutting the siding with a utility knife;
allowing air, moisture, and bugs to get behind the
siding.
When done properly, the installation of vinyl and
Hardiplank siding will both beautify your home
and give you years of freedom from upkeep. We'll
be happy to meet with you and help select the
right colors, profile and style for your home.
fashioned Craftsmanship Meets State-
of-the-Art Technology
Snowridge is a certified installer of Alcoa, Royal
and Certainteed vinyl, as well as Hardiplank fiber
cement siding. If you are unfamiliar with these
low-maintenance home exterior products, here
are some things you should know:
HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BEST SIDING
JOB
Avoid Overpriced “Retail Chain Contractors”
Much of the siding and windows sold and
installed in the Northwest is done by large “retail”
sales organizations. You know these companies.
They’re the ones that try to telemarket you when
you’re eating dinner. These retailers often don’t
install the work themselves - they sell the job to
another company.
This can present problems. For example,
because the installation is not managed and
controlled by the company selling the job, often
times the standards of quality can range from job
to job. Some jobs are fine, others not so good,
some poor.
Perhaps the worst thing about contracting with a
large “retail” company is the price. In order to pay
for their high sales costs, some of these
companies charge double, even triple what we
feel is a fair price.
Avoid The Common Scams Used To Pressure
You
The most common ploy is "the model home
discount" (sometimes called an advertising
discount). This is an old “tin man” (aluminum
siding) story that centers around the need to use
your home as a model to advertise the
company's services in the neighborhood to get
more jobs. The salesman will tell you that if you
allow them to use your home as a “show-home”
for advertising purposes, they’ll rebate several
thousand dollars to you. The only catch is you
must sign now. Their prices are so marked up
that the so-called "discount" is a joke.
Another scam is the “keep our workers busy”
story. If you sign right now and put their workers
on the job, they’ll knock thousands off the price.
To avoid these scams, as well as sloppy work...
CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR
Is the contractor licensed and bonded with the
State of Washington? You can check this
information out yourself by visiting Washington
State's Department of Labor & Industries (go to
"Quick Links" on the right side of page).
If a contractor is licensed and bonded, then you
and your home are protected in case of damage
caused by the contractor and/or their employees.
Will the contractor provide you with written
references?You should look for a well-
established contractor who will gladly give you
several customer references. Call the references.
Ask how the contractor performed. Most people
will be happy to give you an honest evaluation. Go
ahead and take a look at some of the contractors
work.
How does the contractor handle “dirty work”?
A clean work site is fundamental to a smooth
remodeling project. The contractor should clean
up any debris at the end of each day, keep tools
neatly stowed, and neatly stack any excess
materials.
.
Does the contractor provide you with a written
material and labor warranty? Your job should
be backed with a written guarantee. Many
contractors will tell you that their job comes with a
“Lifetime Guarantee”. But what they really mean
is that the manufacturer will guarantee the
product against manufacturing defects for life.
This is not the same thing as a written labor
warranty. A labor warranty insures that any defect
in workmanship is repaired or replaced by the
contractor, at no expense to you! Many contractors
and retailers will not provide you with a written
labor warranty. If a contractor won’t guarantee it,
don’t sign.
Snowridge's workmanship is guaranteed for
three full years.
Are you and the contractor on the same page?
Make sure you know what you want and ask for a
detailed contract that spells out the work to be
done. Understand the contractor's "change-order"
policy, that is, any changes that you may make
during the course of the project. Discuss and
resolve deadlines, anticipated delays, and any
interruptions in your daily routine.
Is the contractor's estimate too low? If you don't
have a good idea of what your siding will cost, it
never hurts to get a few estimates. When an
estimate is too low, ask yourself what is being left
out or what short cut is being taken.
Here's how to make sure your contractor isn't
skimping on the details:
- Before the siding is installed, the contractor
should sheathe your home with a house wrap
material, such as fanfold insulation or a 15# felt
paper. Not only is house wrap required by
building codes, these products keep out water
and air drafts.
-A good contractor will use steel starter strips to
start the first course of siding on a house. Some
contractors use wood. This is not a sound
practice. Over a little time the wood can swell,
locking the first row of vinyl siding in place. This
will prevent the natural expansion and contraction
vinyl siding needs and cause the siding to buckle.
- Some contractors run the siding down to the
foundation line. This makes your home look like it’
s sinking. The foundation can be capped up to 16
inches to give it a clean look and to prevent
moisture.
-Many contractors won’t inspect and replace any
existing rotten wood. They just cover over it. This
is not good construction practice. Siding screws
won’t “bite” into rotten wood. Loose screws mean
your siding can blow off in a storm. (please note:
replacing previously undetected dry rot will
usually be an additional charge)
-Instead of hand cutting, hand sizing, and hand
nailed every piece of vinyl, some contractors in a
hurry use a nail gun. Though this is quicker, nail
guns can drive nails into the wall too tightly. This
may prevent the siding’s natural expansion and
contraction. This can cause the siding to warp
and buckle so much it looks like a “roller
coaster”. Plus, often they’ll use cheap nails that
rust. A few months later, long streaks of rust can
mark up your otherwise clean walls. Snowridge
installs rustproof galvanized-steel nails or
screws.
-A good contractor should finish around your
windows and doors with special trim (called J
Channel). This neatly finishes off the edge of the
siding. Many contractors use caulking. Over time,
caulk can dry out, leaving an ugly gap.
-Light fixtures should be installed with special
mounting blocks. This prevents damage to the
siding. Some contractors install outside light
fixtures by cutting the siding with a utility knife;
allowing air, moisture, and bugs to get behind the
siding.
When done properly, the installation of vinyl and
Hardiplank siding will both beautify your home
and give you years of freedom from upkeep. We'll
be happy to meet with you and help select the
right colors, profile and style for your home.
A beautiful home to begin with, this
University-area house got a "face-lift" with
Alcoa's Grand Sierra 5-inch dutch lap
siding in Glacier Blue with white trim. We
also installed vinyl windows and a vinyl
door surround system.
University-area house got a "face-lift" with
Alcoa's Grand Sierra 5-inch dutch lap
siding in Glacier Blue with white trim. We
also installed vinyl windows and a vinyl
door surround system.
BEFORE: this charming old home had
been smothered with a stucco-like finish
that over the years crumbled around the
edges (see detail, below)
been smothered with a stucco-like finish
that over the years crumbled around the
edges (see detail, below)
AFTER: Snowridge installed Certainteed
Monogram products with the owners'
choice of colors in Granite Gray siding,
Antique Linen trim and Barn Red
accents. We also replaced the old ones.
Window surrounds, soffit covering and
trim (below) give the house a crisp,
clean look. Snowridge takes special
care to preserve and enhance your
home's historic appearance.
Monogram products with the owners'
choice of colors in Granite Gray siding,
Antique Linen trim and Barn Red
accents. We also replaced the old ones.
Window surrounds, soffit covering and
trim (below) give the house a crisp,
clean look. Snowridge takes special
care to preserve and enhance your
home's historic appearance.
Generous white trim gives a clean yet
classic finish to this West Seattle home.
We installed Royal Cedar Blend siding in
Meadow Green, as well as a combination
on Marvin wood and Milgard vinyl
windows.
classic finish to this West Seattle home.
We installed Royal Cedar Blend siding in
Meadow Green, as well as a combination
on Marvin wood and Milgard vinyl
windows.
Call (425)402-3824 today or e-mail us
today for your free project estimate.
If you'd like to learn more about the
benefits of vinyl siding, visit these websites:
www.certainteed.com
www.alcoahomes.com
www.royalbuildingproducts.com
www.jameshardie.com/homeowner
today for your free project estimate.
If you'd like to learn more about the
benefits of vinyl siding, visit these websites:
www.certainteed.com
www.alcoahomes.com
www.royalbuildingproducts.com
www.jameshardie.com/homeowner
| SIDING |
Before (left): pale siding and thin grillwork on the entryway
don’t show this home off to its best advantage. After (right): a
rich green Hardiplank (pre-painted), a new Craftsman-style
door and solid white pillars give this home a classic
bungalow appeal.
don’t show this home off to its best advantage. After (right): a
rich green Hardiplank (pre-painted), a new Craftsman-style
door and solid white pillars give this home a classic
bungalow appeal.
| Before (left) : steep stairs and no room on deck for entertaining. After (right): The patio door is replaced by a window, and a new kitchen door opens onto a split-level deck. The lower deck has a BBQ grill and plenty of room for outdoor parties. |
Our clients, Paula and Jim designed a wood beam gable
end (at roof peak), and Snowridge installed it for them,
using galvanized brackets made by Jim. Snowridge also
installed new Hardiplank siding, and cedar shingles. The
house trim is non-maintenance metal cladding instead of
painted wood.
Notice the Jeld-Wen cottage-style wood windows we put
in. These casements provide exceptional sealing and
protection against high rain and wind exposure on upper
walls.
Paula and Jim spent a lot of time designing the style of
home they wanted and it was a pleasure working with
them.
end (at roof peak), and Snowridge installed it for them,
using galvanized brackets made by Jim. Snowridge also
installed new Hardiplank siding, and cedar shingles. The
house trim is non-maintenance metal cladding instead of
painted wood.
Notice the Jeld-Wen cottage-style wood windows we put
in. These casements provide exceptional sealing and
protection against high rain and wind exposure on upper
walls.
Paula and Jim spent a lot of time designing the style of
home they wanted and it was a pleasure working with
them.