First off, I find that many folks who decide to replace their siding often duplicate the same or similar pattern currently on their homes. Consider updating the look of your home by changing up the siding pattern by adding accents such as Faux Stacked Stone Siding will adds curb appeal as well as bringing the homes exterior to a more up-to-date look. You will find this will really pay off when it comes time to sell your home not to mention your neighbors and friends will certainly take notice.

Ply Gem Mountain Ridge-Faux Stacked Stone-Panels. Texas Home Exteriors Houston Texas.

Durable and Warm

Faux Stacked Stone (natural stone, cultured stone, stone veneer or manufactured stone) also gives any home exterior a warm and earthy feel that says, “welcome home”.  Stone Siding is also the most durable home exterior siding product on the market.

Low Maintenance

Faux stacked stone does not need painting, will not dent or chip and needs no upkeep at all. To be honest, Faux Stacked Stone Siding will outlast all of us continuing to look good for our children and even our grandchildren. It will surely withstand the test of time for all to appreciate and enjoy.

How is it Installed?

Faux Stacked Stone is a veneer siding product, meaning that it is a layer of exterior product that is installed to finish out an exterior wall and protect the home from exteriors elements such as wind, moisture, rain, ice snow. For instance, here in Houston Texas faux stacked stone keeps the rain and moisture from penetrating into the walls, protecting our homes from the climate conditions of TX.

Measure the area:

The faux stone installer will measure the linear feet of any corners as well as the square footage of each wall for flat stones. To arrive at the total square footage of flat stones needed, he will subtract the square footage of any openings like windows, as well as the linear footage of the corners. To compensate for normal job site waste, he will order at least 10% more than the final square footage. He will also determine how much premix mortar or mortar and masonry sand are needed for the project.

Ply Gem Faux Stacked Stone Texas Home Exteriors

Preparation of the Siding Area:

Preparing the walls is key to a quality application, and a weather-resistant barrier is a requirement for both interior and exterior applications. This consists of two layers of either a Weather-Resistive Barrier like Dupont Tyvek HomeWrap or felt (15 lb), metal wire lath and a scratch coat of pre-mix mortar like Quickcrete or type S or N mortar. When these are installed, the scratch coat needs to be left to dry for 24-48 hours.

Installation of the Stone:

Once the walls are prepared, it’s time to apply the stone. Your installer will lay out stones from multiple boxes to ensure the broadest range of stones for variety and a lower repeat rate unless this has already been organized by the manufacturer. The corner stones are usually applied first, alternating long and short sides. Next, the flat stones are applied on the wall, working them into the corners. Stones are applied by adding mortar to the back and wiggling them onto the dry scratch coat to ensure a seal. To fit stones into the space, your installer will size them as necessary using anything from a wet saw to a chisel or back of a hammer.

Grouting the joints:

To finish the look, after the stones are on the wall, your installer will go back around and add a mortar joint grout in between the stones for non-dry stack applications. For a standard joint, as you would see with a fieldstone style, for instance, the installer uses a grout bag to add mortar in the space between stones. When the mortar is thumbprint dry, a pointing tool is used to smooth out the spaces. Drystack applications are designed to show no visible mortar joint between stones.

Faux Stacked Stone Siding Texas Home Exteriors Houston The Woodlands TX

Correct installation will ensure that their will be no problems down the road. Great companies like us here at Texas Home Exteriors will strictly perform correct practices for installations to meet guidelines set by the manufacturer’s for warranty. With the addition of Faux Stacked Stone Siding you will enjoy the fresh, war look as well as compliments from your friends and certainly be the envy of any neighborhood! Wouldn’t it be great to be the first in your neighborhood to get this great look on your home? When you call our office at Texas Home Exteriors we will most certainly help you to achieve the look and feel that you desire for the exterior of your southeast Houston Texas home.

by Greg Kapitan
“Kapitan The Siding Man”
greg@TexasHomeExteriors.com

Greg Kapitan (Kapitan The Siding Man) Texas Home Exteriors Houston – The Woodlands , Lake Livingston TX

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James Hardie fiber cement Siding is resistant to fires from a side wall entrance perspective.

Best Siding For Fire Resistance

James Hardie Siding (HardiePlank siding) made from fiber cement is a great option for the Houston Texas metro area for a fire resistance siding to use on the outside of your home. Concrete Center shows that Fiber cement is fire resistant due to the fact that it is a siding product that is concrete based and has incredible resistance to igniting. The fiber cement siding manufactured by James Hardie is recommended across the country for any are prone to fire and homeowners that want extreme fire resistance to the side walls of their home.

Berkeley College Siding Study

The University of California Berkeley College Berkeley Fire Center has done an incredible study on fires and the resistance of a siding product to fire delay or stop fire completely from entering a siding wall of any structure. As we, Texas Home Exteriors, are out in the field bidding siding jobs for TX homeowners, we are often asked the question: “what siding option do you recommend as the best fire resistant siding?”

I find myself instantly answering with the same response for some time now that is, “James Hardie, HardiePlank Siding” is the best for Fire Resistance.   Fiber cement siding, like Hardie, has great resistance to fire due to the cement like properties of the siding products.

Southeast Texas Metro Area

As many Houstonians know, here it southeast Texas it can get stifling hot in the summer months and can even linger around for what seems like months with no end. We also experience times of drought to the point that our Texas lakes water levels drop due to what the US Geological Survey calls water cycle evaporation. This affects the local usage for drinking and irrigation. Sometimes this can present a problem for many homes close to any wooded area of Texas lakes because they are often built entirely of siding, containing very little brick putting the homes at higher risk of fire damage.  The siding on what I call “Texas lake homes” often consist of wood and many of these were built on a budget as second homes away from the city.

Texas A & M and the City of Houston

The City Of Houston Texas Fire Department HFD as well as all others across our country supports and recommends the use of fiber cement siding to hinder fire invasion into a home’s exterior. Texas A & M Forest Service is a statewide leadership and professional assistance for the state’s forest, tree, and related natural resources trees and flammability issue. The Texas Interagency Coordination Center live fire activity feed is there so that anyone that have an internet connection can see where active fires are in Texas.

Loblolly Pine Trees are common in East Texas which presents the possibility of rapidly moving fire dangers and the height of these trees make it nearly impossible to extinguish the flames.  Here is the Link to review the fire rating of James Hardie wall assemblies.   No building material guarantees a fireproof home, but there are some preventative measures Texas homeowners can take to better prepare for the possibility of fires, like installing a non-combustible home exterior siding product like James Hardie Siding (Hardie Plank) that are more resistant to fire.

Trees and Flammability Issues

Here in southeast Texas we have the tall and beautiful  what Wikipedia calls LobLolly Pinus Taeda trees that grow up to 93-110 feet or more in height. Fire danger is a great threat to Texas homeowners in our area thus some insurance companies will allow further discounts for homes with fire resistant siding like HardiPlank siding installed in place of existing wood siding. Check with your local Texas insurance company and explain to them that you plan to replace your wood siding and inform them of which Hardie fire resistant siding you intend on installing. I have heard in the past how local TX homeowners have received reductions on their insurance as a direct result of installing fiber cement siding from James Hardie in Houston.

Hardie Siding Will Not Burn

You can clearly see in the image above, the fire resistance of fiber cement siding by James Hardie Siding (HardiePlank, Hardy Board). Hardie Siding provides a resistant barrier on the exterior of your home from a side wall entrance perspective.

HardiePlank siding will not burn or catch fire, as you can be seen in the photo, a lit torch aimed at the fiber cement siding manufactured by James Hardie Products.

The Hardie Siding will NOT easily burn and clearly protects the flammable wood studs behind your Houston TX home. This provides a great peace of mind for any homeowner in the Houston southeast metro area of Texas or anywhere in the country that may be at risk of experiencing a wildfire.

James Hardie warranties their siding for a full 30 years. This provides many years of increased fire safety for any homeowner whose home is close to surrounding large trees and would like this extra protection for their home and loved ones.

I hope that you have found this post informative and will pass it along or share it with those you believe may benefit from this fire resistant siding information. If you have a home or are building a home and are not considering brick, consider fiber cement fire resistant Hardie Siding and if you are in the Houston metro area, call me personally at Texas Home Exteriors 281-919-6999. Be sure to follow the Kapitan The Siding Man blog to see future posts about home exteriors and more.

Greg Kapitan
“Kapitan The Siding Man”

Free Hardie Siding Estimate

Greg Kapitan (the siding man) of Texas Home Exteriors

With my many years of construction background of building homes, I along with many other home builders and remodelers, know the value of building a strong home. Here in the southeast Houston Texas metro area we have a good amount of wind and with our being so close to the coast, we are also vulnerable to hurricanes.

Wind Racking Force on Homes

There are two forces a homeowner should be concerned with, or should I say, anyone that lives in wind-prone areas of the USA. One is “uplift force” and the other is “racking force” from shear wind blowing directly at any home or structure.

US Department of Agriculture

The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) is the national research laboratory of the United States Forest Service, which is part of USDA) US Department of Agriculture). They do extensive research on timber and building studies. They have published a study where plywood or (osb) was added to the outside walls of the studs of any structure. The FPL (Forest Products Laboratory) study noted an at least 300% gain in stiffness in stopping any racking force from excessive wind.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a science based federal agency within the Department of Commerce with regulatory, operational, and information service responsibilities with a presence in every state of the country and territories. They also have done a study on ground level based shear wind or wind shear and noted the forces and pressure.  When NOAA was asked, What is wind shear?, they answered, “a change in horizontal wind speed and/or direction with height. Also known as microburst. They are short-lived, ground-based, small-scale event and associated with thunderstorms”. Yep, that would be Texas weather!

Racking Force due to Wind Shear

We will be talking about Racking Force to a home due to Shear Wind in this siding post because it is a concern many homeowners should be aware of. Right around the year 1999 here in Houston Texas many homeowners were being pitched and marketed to move away from vinyl siding and installing, in its place, fiber cement siding.

The installation of this fiber cement (Hardie) siding product often meant removing the old wood siding, stripping the OSB or  plywood sheathing down to the studs and installing the installation of the new fiber cement product. In the photo below, you can clearly see how builders across the country will often build diagonal “let-in” bracing (per the green arrows in the photo) into a home to help combat the racking force caused by shear wind.

Single Wall Construction – Non Wind Areas

Single wall construction is when the siding is applied directly to the studs without any sheathing like OSB or plywood first. Single wall construction with fiber cement siding is perfectly fine for non- wind/non-coastal areas of the country as displayed in the photo below. However; for high wind areas, more than diagonal “let-in” bracing is needed as per Texas Department of Insurance TDI TDI Wind department hence, double wall construction with OSB or plywood sheathing is required to be installed before siding for added strength.

Let In bracing “diagonal bracing” a home helps combat the racking force caused by shear winds in Houston TX

Double Wall Construction – Wind Prone Areas

The best practice of using the diagonal bracing will help stop any home from racking (tilting) when strong winds are blowing. Builders will often install OSB or plywood over these outside walls by nailing them to the exposed studs as can be seen on the left side of the diagram below labeled “Wind Areas/ Houston Double Wall Construction”. Once the OSB or plywood is installed, the builders install siding over that plywood layer. By having this base layer, consisting of some sort of  LP Oriented Strand Board (OSB) or plywood sheathing attached to the the studs of any outside wall, gives the home increased strength and shear wind resistance to combat racking force. This method is called “double wall construction“.

Fiber Cement Hardie Not for Single Wall Construction

Coming from my many years of experience from using and knowledge of fiber cement, I have found it to have very little material structural strength and it can break easily. The product offers little structural support (if any) to the outside of a home and can in fact be a liability. Don’t believe me, but try taking a hammer and moderately hitting the Fiber Cement siding, and see for yourself how easily it breaks and crumbles to the ground. I was in shock back in 1999 in Houston Texas as I observed (even participated in) siding contractors removing lap wood siding and T-111 vertical siding ultimately affecting the structural value which had been an asset to the home. This was then replaced with the installation of fiber cement which without installing any OSB or plywood, offered nearly no structural value.

Movement of the home can cause cracking of the fiber cement siding.

The image on the right is of a home I received a call on that was a “call back” from an installation by another siding contractor who had removed the old wood siding and did not install any OSB or plywood under the newly installed Fiber Cement.

The result was that the home moved causing cracking of the fiber cement allowing water intrusion and causing other problems.

This Houston TX homeowner will continue to have movement problems until all of the fiber cement siding is removed and some sort of structural grade of sheathing is installed like OSB or plywood.

Keep in mind that this homeowner paid over 14k for a siding job that was done incorrectly. In Texas, homeowners often experience movement in their homes, this is yet another reason to install OSB or plywood sheathing before any fiber cement siding is installed, hence, the method of installing double wall construction will add more stability to Houston TX homes.

The best way to build strength into the exterior of the walls is with double wall construction.

How to Install Double Wall Construction

The diagram below shows how to correctly install the layers (sheathing like OSB or plywood – double wall construction) prior to installing the fiber cement siding. This will help increase any home’s structural value for both shear, racking force wind and any settling movement providing increased strength to the exterior walls of the home.

Keep in mind that this is a much better re-siding approach for homeowners when removing old structural grade siding and installing fiber cement siding in its place.

LP SmartSide Siding Best for Single Wall Construction

This is the best way to build strength into any outside wall for homes in coastal areas that are going to be sided with fiber cement siding. LP SmartSide is wood base and has a lot of what wood works calls structural value to it that fiber cement siding does not have any structural value.

Keep in mind that if you do choose to side your home with single wall construction, a propelled airborne object could quite easily come right through fiber cement siding, the insulation and sheetrock and enter your home!

When building or if you are re-siding your home and it has no OSB or plywood under the siding, single wall construction, I recommend using the LP SmartSide Siding due to its proven brute strength. This siding will be an Asset to the integrity of your home’s exterior walls and will help keep those that you love safer inside your home. You do NOT need to install OSB or plywood sheathing before installing the LP SmartSide product and racking force from shear wind becomes much less of an issue due to the increased strength of the exterior walls. LP SmartSide Siding actually takes the place of OSB or plywood and provides much structural value and looks great too.

The must-see video below explains clearly what this means for your home. Fiber cement siding, is a great siding option, however; please insist that your siding contractor install double wall construction with OSB or plywood first for the what Wikipedia calls structural integrity of the building.

The moral of the story is this:
Fiber Cement Siding Installed on Single Wall Construction = a Liability.
LP SmartSide Siding Installed on Single Wall Construction = an Asset.

~Greg Kapitan (Kapitan the Siding Man)

Featured Video: Demonstration of LP SmartSide vs Fiber Cement Durability

Free Estimate Hardie or SmartSide

Texas Home Exclusive Windows Built by Simonton Windows Winner of JD Power Award four times

A Texas Replacement Window First

Texas has its first window named after the great state of Texas, private labeled by Amcraft and and manufactured by Simonton Windows JD Power Award winner four years straight. This is a first for Texas and we here at Texas Home Exteriors located in Houston TX are excited to offer the first window named for our great state.

Two energy efficient vinyl replacement versions are offered to the greater Houston, The Woodlands – Spring TX metro area. The Texas Home Exclusive and the Texas Home Exclusive Plus.

Both energy efficient replacement windows come with a lifetime warranty covering the entire window and includes the following coverage from the manufacturer:

• Lifetime Vinyl
• Lifetime Window Seal Failure
• Lifetime Window Hardware
• Lifetime Glass Breakage

Just think how great it is for homeowners to have beautiful energy efficient vinyl windows that are named for our wonderful state of Texas. Make your selection with confidence knowing our windows are manufactured by a JD Power award winning manufacturer such as Simonton Windows. This is a nice insurance bonus for Texas homeowners. With our Energy Star rated windows, TX homeowners will realize the benefit of energy savings on their utility bills month after month, year after year.

          Texas Home Exclusive Window        Texas Home Exclusive Plus Window
              2 panes glass, low-E, 3/4″ IGU             3 panes glass, safety glass, low-E, 1″ IGU

Texas Home Exclusive Windows with low-E, Argon Gas filled Double and Triple Pane Windows

How do Energy Efficient Vinyl Replacement Windows Work?

Here at Texas Home Exteriors we are often asked questions about windows such as, “how do energy efficient windows work?” and “how much savings will I realize on my utility bills?” Several components of the window work separately for each of the following scenarios but together as a whole to make your Houston TX home more energy efficient.

Low-E Reflective Glass for Energy Efficient Windows

Low-E Glass – “Reflective”

When it comes to the sun hitting your window,  our windows include Low-E coating which reflects the suns UV rays back out, stopping the UV heat from entering your home. In most cases, it will block out 80-90% without making your windows too dark. After our vinyl energy efficient replacement windows are installed, you will notice that you can now get closer to your window with the summer sun blazing in and feel 80-90% less of the sun’s UV heat getting through and warming your skin. This will translate into summer utility bill savings due to the the sun’s hot rays not being allowed to enter your home so no need for the A/C to work as hard.

Argon Gas – “Invisible Insulation”

The climate controlled environment in your home that we call heat or air conditioning is constantly trying to escape. Your single pane windows have the lowest what is known in the building industry R-Value/U-Factor = “resistance” for temperature to travel through any material from one side to another.  Argon Gas is heavier than air and is placed and sealed in-between the two window panes of glass making it more difficult for any temperature to travel from one side to another and increasing the window energy efficiency. Other Words what I call invisible insulation that will increase the R-Value/U-Factor of your windows.

What is the Difference Between U-Factor and R-Value?

U-factor is used to measure the insulation value of windows, R-value is used for insulation in most other parts of the building (walls, floors, roofs). True that they are related, different test criteria are used in calculating the two values so they cannot be directly converted. Take R-value and U-factor, divide 1 by the U-factor number, E.g.: a 0.25 U-factor will equal a 1/0.25 = 4 R-Value.

Energy Star Rated Windows

What makes these windows great is not only do they carry our beautiful state’s name TEXAS but they are manufactured by Simonton and at an affordable price compared to competitors windows such as Anderson and Pella windows.

Free Replacement Window Estimate

Many Houston Texas homeowners would like to know more about the energy efficiency of their windows. Most of the new replacement windows are labeled to indicate their energy properties but this information may not be available on existing or older windows. Below is an energy efficiency checklist to help you with the process of determining the energy efficiency of your home windows.

The Energy Star Label

First try looking for products that have earned the Energy Star label. The Energy Star label indicates that the window meets energy performance recommendations set by the US Department of Energy. The label includes a map of where the specific window qualifies for the specific climate zone. Windows that are Energy Star qualified should typically meet or exceed energy code requirements for your area. The determining factors for qualification criteria for Energy Star windows is based on your the climate and location of your home.

The NFRC Window Ratings Label

Check for window ratings and energy efficient properties on the NFRC Window Ratings Label. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label is needed for verification of energy code compliance. The NFRC label displays whole-window energy properties and appears on all products in the ENERGY STAR program providing a reliable way to determine the window’s energy efficiency properties.

NFRC Energy Star Label Example – The Energy Star label indicates that the window meets energy performance recommendations set by the US Department of Energy. The label includes a map of where the specific window qualifies for the specific climate zone.

Window Performance

Check the windows for any energy performance labels and information on window performance. If there are no labels or you cannot find any information on the window, you can visually inspect the window to determine the assumed window energy performance with the following:

1 – Verify how many panes of glass the windows has, with each pane of glass comes additional energy efficiency

2 – What material is the window frame made from (aluminum, wood, vinyl).  Windows made with wood or vinyl frames insulate better than metal-framed window options so are more energy efficient.

Below are charts to help in assuming the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC).  The U-factor is a measure of non-solar heat transfer (like heat escaping in the winter). A lower U-factor is better (lower means less heat loss). The SHGC indicates how much heat from the sun enters through a window. A low SHGC is more important in the hotter climates like the Houston Texas are. The U-factor and SHGC of a window are shown on the NFRC label. Energy Star windows meet the recommended values shown here:

Energy Star Window Climate Zone Map

The U-factor and SHGC of a window are shown on the NFRC label. The U-factor is a measure of non-solar heat transfer. A lower U-factor is better, lower means less heat loss. The SHGC indicates how much heat from the sun enters through a window. A low SHGC is more important in the hotter climates like the Houston Texas area.

Below is a chart you can reference using the information collected above for the assumed U-factor and SHGC values. This information is based on the International Energy Conservation Code and does not account for features you may not be able to verify such as low-E coatings, gas fills, etc).

U-factor SHGC Approximation Chart (These values are based on the International Energy Conservation Code and do not take into account features that you may not be able to verify such as low-E coatings, gas fills, etc.)

3 – Does the window glass has low-E coatings? Low-E coatings are invisible heat barriers that improve window energy efficiency. The most reliable way to identify these coatings is to use a low-E detector device (equipment energy auditors may use). Chances are you do not own one of these but you may be able to identify low-E glass by using a lighter flame or white card by holding either up to the glass and looking for the two reflections from each pane of glass. If one of the panes looks bluer than the other, this is an indication of a low-E coating on that surface.

4 – Does the window have an airtight fit and weatherstripping. Check the sashes and weatherstripping as these are important factors. The windows may have air leakage if they are not fitted tightly or air could be leaking from in between the interface of the frame and the wall if they were not properly sealed during installation. This may be difficult to check for on existing windows.

Professional Window Installation

If you are ready to replace your windows, remember the importance of proper installation of your new energy efficient Energy Star rated windows. This is most necessary for optimal performance of energy efficient windows, to ensuring there is an airtight fit and to avoid water leakage. Use experienced professionals for your window selection and installation.

Additionally, check the Department of Energy for info replacing windows with energy efficient windows that are Energy Star rated.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and feel free to call me at Texas Home Exteriors, we are here to assist you in your replacement window selection and installation of new energy efficient windows in the Houston, Spring, The Woodlands metro area. We offer a variety of options, call us today at 281.919.6999 and visit our website click her Texas Home Exteriors.  Be sure to check out our Texas Home Exclusive Windows made for the Houston Texas Climate!

Free Energy Star Window Estimate

Texas Home Exteriors Houston TX receives Best of Houzz 2014 Customer Satisfaction Award

Feb 4 2014

Annual Survey and Analysis of 16 Million Monthly Users Reveals Top-Rated Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals THE WOODLANDS, HOUSTON, TEXAS, February 4, 2014 – Texas Home Exteriors of The Woodlands, Houston Texas has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design.

“The Siding Roofing and Window Contractor” was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community. The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 230 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2014” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.   Texas Home Exteriors is honored to receive this award and recognition from the Houzz community.About Houzz “Houzz provides homeowners with the most comprehensive view of home building, remodeling and design professionals, empowering them to find and hire the right professional to execute their vision,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community for Houzz.

“We’re delighted to recognize Texas Home Exteriors among our “Best Of” professionals for customer satisfaction as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.” With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Texas Home Exteriors, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and reviewing their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

Learn more about Texas Home Exteriors on there website at https://www.texashomeexteriors.com and be sure to follow them on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/greg-kapitan/texas-home-exteriorsAbout Texas Home Exteriors Texas Home Exteriors and our owner Greg Kapitan “Kapitan The Siding Man” comes to you with over 30 years combined experience in the construction trade. Our expertise in the areas of Home Improvement and Energy-Efficiency has been demonstrated on numerous completed jobs and happy customers over the years throughout the greater Houston, Spring, The Woodlands metro areas of Texas.

Greg & Shelly, Owners of Texas Home Exteriors Houston, The Woodlands TX

Texas Home Exteriors specializes in HardiPlank Siding, LP Smartside Siding, Vinyl Replacement Windows, Pergolas, Patio Covers and Roofing Shingle Options. Our products and services are the most Energy Efficient and innovative in the business.  Our crews are experienced professionals who have all been hand-picked by Greg Kapitan himself, to ensure superior workmanship and customer satisfaction.” Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device.

From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

Decra Shake XD Metal Shingles in Pinnacle Gray Houston Texas Home Exteriors The Woodlands

Time to replace your roofing shingles? As a roofing contractor I find many of today’s Houston Texas homeowners considering stone coated metal roofing shingles as a roof replacement option. A good many of Texas homeowners in the southeast Houston Texas metro area realize that replacement of their composition asphalt roofing shingles needs to be done every 10-15 years. If you are a homeowner in Texas, “I need a new roof” is as common as “I need an oil change”, well almost.

Texas Summer Heat and Roofing Shingles

Because of the intensity of our hot South TX UV rays (ultraviolet rays), the standard composition petroleum based asphalt (tar) roofing shingles become baked and brittle over time baking in the hot Texas sun. If you look closely at roofing shingles, they will begin looking like a road map of Texas with cracks and lines going in many different directions. What is occurring is the protective granules, common on composition roofing shingles, become loose and often ending up in gutters or on the ground.  As the shingles loose granules, it leaves the petroleum based asphalt (tar) naked and exposed to more UV rays thus accelerating the deterioration of the roofing shingle leading to leaks and phone calls to roofers for roof replacement bids.

Time To Rethink Asphalt Composition Roofing Shingles

Instead of getting yet another composition shingle composition roof that will last 10 – 15 years, it may be time to consider a stone coated metal roof option.  Below is a quick bulleted list of facts as to why a southeast Texas homeowner may want to consider Decra Stone Coated Metal Roofing Shingles over traditional roofing shingles.

Stone Coated Decra Shake XD Metal Roof in antique Chestnut for your Houston, Spring, The Woodlands TX Texas Home Exteriors The Woodlands

Benefits of Stone Coated Metal Roofing Shingles

• Last 50 years or more
• Resist hail damage than composition roofing shingles
• Steel based shingle gives unparalleled strength
• Increase Energy Efficiency savings
• Produce air circulation under shingles
• Provide fireproof characteristics
• Aesthetically Unparalleled Beauty

Energy Efficiency Savings with Stone Coated Metal Roofing – Reflectivity/Emissivity 

Stone coated metal roofs manufactured by Decra and Metro reflect much more of the solar radiation that is usually absorbed in your attic and home with standard composition petroleum based asphalt (tar) roofing shingles. Here in Texas, granular coated metal roofing systems not only reflect solar energy but also cool your home by re-emitting most of the solar radiation instead of absorbing it. In southeast Houston Texas annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted metal standing seam roofing or stone coated coated metal roof is by far the most optimal way to reduce energy consumption from your roof.  These reflective roofing shingles and can re-emit up to 75% of absorbed solar radiation (heat) that otherwise would have been absorbed into your attic and into your homes interior.

Decra Metal Roof Systems Villa Venetian Gold by Texas Home Exteriors for Houston, Spring, The Woodlands TX Home Improvements

Unparalleled Beauty of Stone Coated Metal Roofing Shingles

Composition roofing shingles are aesthetically pleasing however they only go so far from a thickness and depth perspective. That is because standard asphalt roofing shingles can only be so thick due to the fact that they are petroleum based and have almost NO structural value. Stone Coated Metal Roofing Shingles have a Steel Base with PLENTY of structural value.

Decra Metal Roof Styles include beautiful options with look of Tile, Villa Tile, Shake, Shake XD, Shingle and Shingle XD

Having said that, the flood gates are wide open for any creative roofing shingle style imaginable because metal roofs have lots of structural value. You can now have a Stone Coated Metal Roof with a variety of looks like Terra-cotta, Spanish Tile, Mediterranean-Italian Tile but without all of the weight and drawbacks of tile roofs and at the same time, all of the benefits of Stone Coated Metal Roofs.  Roofing shingles that were once limited due to thickness now are granted the freedom to express themselves. Now roofing shingles can have all of the dimension homeowners want thanks to the steel base and protection of the steel being covered with mini crushed stone can create any color you can imagine!

Decra Stone Coated Metal Roof Shingles in Pinnacle Grey for Houston Home Roofing Replacement from Texas Home Exteriors in The Woodlands

Stone Coated Metal Roofing Shingles The Envy Of The Neighborhood

When you drive up to any home in the southeast Houston Texas area you will notice two main things on a home, the roof and the siding on the home. Often the roof has composition roofing shingles. Why not be the envy of your neighborhood and maybe even the first to take advantage of an energy efficient stone coated metal roof?

I cannot tell you how many homeowners have expressed to me how much better their home looks with a metal roof, how often they get complements and improved efficiency. Homeowners realize 15-25% energy saving every year while also enjoying the peace of mind of not having to change their roof for over 50 years! Keep in mind that it is important to hire a roofing contractor that is proficient in installing metal roofing to avoid costly mistakes on your home. Texas Home Exteriors is proficient in correctly installing any of the stone coated metal roofing products mentioned in this post.

Energy Efficiency Savings of Stone Coated Metal Roofing – Air Space/Circulation
Watch for My Next Post – More on Energy Efficiency Savings of Stone Coated Metal Roofing – Air Space/Circulation

 Stone Coated Metal Roofing Estimate

I get asked this question often working Texas Home Exteriors, “Greg, what is better, Fiber Cement/HardiePlank Siding or LP SmartSide Siding for my Houston TX home?” As we move into 2014,  I have already found myself being asked this question more and more. I respond with information based on my research, experience installing the two building products as well as discussion with other professionals.

The information in this article, I am offering based on many years of experience in the Houston Texas southeast Texas metro area and as the owner of Texas Home Exteriors. In this post, I will cite information from some of the most powerful resources I know of on the internet presenting their accumulative input including Google Books (James Hardie), Wikipedia (James Hardie) and Wikipedia LP (Louisiana Pacific SmartSide) These are sites and resources that you can and SHOULD check as well to learn more and research what people just like you and me are saying around the country and world.

So having said that, below I present the good, bad and the ugly so you, as a Houston Southeast Texas homeowner, can make an informed and intelligent decision. I encourage you to click on the links as well and doing some of your own research. After reading this Hardie vs. SmartSide Siding article, please take a moment to voice your opinion or share additional information below the estimate form.

Here are our findings

Both Fiber Cement (Hardie)  and LP SmartSide Siding are outstanding and quality building products. They both exhibit excellent qualities in their performance and longevity as excellent siding product choices for your home’s exterior. Keep in mind that each has great qualities as well as some not-so-great qualities I will point out based on my many years of experience in home exteriors here in the Houston southeast Texas area in using both products, (fiber cement – LP SmartSide Siding) and research I have done on the products and their overall performance.

Supporting evidence GOOGLE search 

When being asked about one siding product vs another, one might share their opinion from their experience, of course this is OK; however, I will also provide examples of what others are saying from around the country.

Fiber_Cement_Siding_Defects – Inspectapedia …. read more

Problems with Fiber Cement Siding installations – Structuretech1 Forums….. read more

Fiber Cement Problems – Inspectors Journals Forums….. read more

Smart Side Siding JLC Online Forums…. read more

LP SmartSide Siding vs Fiber Cement – Hot Spot Outdoors Forum….(read more)

Fiber Cement/HardiePlank- 15 Trim 30 Yr Siding Warranty

Click – 30 YR Warranty

As you can see from exploring the links above, there have been some issues reported from around the country. Fiber cement has become more and more popular since the late 1990s in re-siding as well as in new construction throughout North America.

The reported issues range from cracking and flaking paint to installation problems as well as other issues with the fiber cement siding product. The siding most often used siding product in America is fiber cement. Many of the problems with this product have stemmed from the improper installation of the fiber cement product however; there are also some issues to be aware of that actually stem from fiber cement product failure itself.

 LP SmartSide Siding – 50 Year Trim 50 Year Siding Warranty

Click – 50 YR Warranty

LP SmartSide has also been around since 1997, I have done extensive research via the internet and have not found nearly as many, or for that matter, any issues reported with this product at all, no reported problems, even LP SmartSide reports there have been no claims on product failure of the the LP SmartSide Engineered Wood Siding Products in the past 14 years it has been being installed on homes.

In all fairness, I will share that there was an issue I came across in regards to Louisiana Pacific (LP) and their OLD Product, called “Inner Seal” which has since been discontinued, this was a pre-1997 SmartSide product that failed, recalled and any claims paid responsively and quickly, very impressive on the part of Louisiana Pacific. In my opinion, this product should not have been used on homes in areas of the country that receive a lot of precipitation, thus the failures. (Note, that the “Inner-Seal” siding did very well in other areas of the country that are more arid and the product continues to stand up well in those climates to this day).

Louisiana Pacific SmartSide Wikipedia info

LP SmartSide:  (LP) “Two years after the first suit, LP had settled all related disputes. LP re-engineered the product, now marketed as LP®SmartSide® and since 1997 has sold approximately 3 billion square feet of SmartSide siding with no warranty claims for fungal decay.” This was reported on Wikipedia in 2014 of this product that has been around since 1997.

Fiber Cement (Hardie) Wikipedia info

Fiber Cement: per Wikipedia, “Fiber cement siding (or “fibre cement cladding” in the UK and Australasia) is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications. Fiber cement is a composite material Fiber cement is a composite made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers. Read more about Fiber Cement by clicking on the link at the top of this article which will take you to Wiki and Build Direct FAQs.

The Silica Dust Issue – New York Times 

Both the Fiber Cement (hardie plank) and LP SmartSide siding products will produce dust plumes when cutting the product. LP SmartSide siding is wood based and makes less dust as opposed to the Fiber Cement that contains Silica. Having said that, the Silica is a much finer dust and gets airborne and tends to make billowing clouds of fine dust that can be dangerous for workers to install if respirators are not used. Here is a recent article from the New York Times about silica dust exposure that you should be aware of on this issue.

Crumble a Plank Anyone?

Click Image- Read The Rest Of The Story

You have to see this to believe what is happening. After Hardie Siding (fiber cement) has been up for a while, homeowners have been reporting on how that their lawnmowers wheels had bumped the lower run of the siding and broken off edges with some mild unintended impacts.

If you click on that link, you will clearly see what homeowners across the country are reporting as well as the phone calls that we are receiving on the issue here at our Texas Home Exteriors office.

You will also see how SmartSide Siding is much more resistant to the same impact of objects such as lawnmowers, baseballs and the everyday accidental impacts that most homeowners experience.

Benefits Fiber Cement/HardiePlank Siding Products

Fiber Cement has the upper hand by far in the category of Fire Resistance so if you are looking for a siding product that specifically is more Resistant to fires Fiber Cement is the better choice. Fiber cement is one of the most resistant materials there is for your exterior.  If installed properly, it is insect-proof, because it offers no food source to insects.  It is fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, and is not prone to warping or cracking, thanks to the cellulose fibers which boost its dimensional stability.  And manufacturers offer a variety of pre-painted colors to choose from.

Disadvantages of Fiber Cement Siding Products

Fiber Cement is much heavier than other siding types and requires two or more workers to install a single plank increasing labor costs. Fiber cement siding can also be difficult to work with, as workers cut the material it creates silica dust plumes that can be harmful if breathed in.

Benefits of LP SmartSide Siding – What the crews are saying about installation

• Length – With Longer planks” 16’ foot vs 12’ allowing workers to cover more with one plank and less joints to finish.
• Lighter – The product is 39% lighter on average, the material does not break when being carried or moved. 
• Damage – Hammer marks don’t show up easily to to it’s impact resistance.
• Cutting – No special saw blades or equipment is needed (no need for $100 special blades, regular wood saw blades work just fine)
• Nailing – No nail gun pressure issues or need to lower presser due to overdriven nails. 
• Dust- Much less dust than the fiber cement product, silica plume issues gone.
• Strength – Installation of this product helps keeps walls strait”, stronger siding provides support keeping walls straighter.
• Installers like working with the product more due to the reasons above.

Disadvantages of LP SmartSide Siding

SmartSide siding is constructed of wood base fibers, leaving it vulnerable to fire from combustion and or through the melting of the resin add-ons when exposed to high heat. If fire resistance is a concern I would consider the James Hardie (hardiplank) siding over the LP SmartSide siding. You should take a moment to read this article about James Hardie Siding and it’s superior resistance to fire.

Louisiana Pacific and NASDAQ Stock Jump

Just as resent as May 18th of 2015 the stock for Louisiana Pacific (LP) LPX has seen an 52 week all time high is stock increase due to consumer interest and sales increase in the LP SmartSide Siding Product. This has been exciting news for some time as contractors are liking having a choice to present to homeowners besides fiber cement.

Conclusion

Greg Kapitan (the siding man) Texas Home Exteriors

Well there you have it, the good, the bad and the ugly. Both the Hardiplank and LP SmartSide Siding products will serve your home will and keep your love ones protected from the weather for many years to come.

While there are differences and benefits to both siding products, we have noticed a shift in homeowners moving towards the LP Smart Siding due to the many benefits over Fiber Cement (Hardie).

What you have read above is from an article I wrote. You can find more information on our website Texas Home Exteriors – Houston TX about home siding options and you can also learn more about silica dust and it’s affects.

I hope that you have found this informative article most helpful in making a siding choice for your home exterior. Should you have any questions my email addres is, [email protected] or if you would like a Free Estimate from Texas Home Exteriors call, 281.919.6999 anytime.

Most sincerely,

Greg Kapitan (the siding man)

Free SmartSide or HardiPlank Estimate:

Southeast Houston TX homeowners often remove their old siding and install James Hardie Siding. This is a great decision for the longevity that fiber cement offers. Although often overlooked by most siding contractors, is what can be done before the new HardiPlank Siding is installed to improve the energy efficiency of the home. By adding a reflective energy efficient vapor barrier such as Dupont Tyvek ThermaWrap, this will help in utility bills with it’s added increased R and reflective values. Below I explain and provide some suggestions.

Your Texas home exterior walls can account for 40-70% of the solar heat gain and/or loss of your home. This varies depending on many factors such as the amount of sun exposure to walls, shade and the type of building materials your home was built with. Often I notice a job sign of a contractor doing a siding job and I see no roles of the Tyvek product delivered to the jobsite. When the siding is removed and there is no extra insulation existing with any level of R-Value such as Home Wrap being installed on the home, this is the perfect opportunity to install the Tyvek product while the siding is off and being replaced.

The Perfect Time to Install

Something to think about, when you have your old siding removed, this is the best time to improve the energy efficiency of your Texas home, don’t you say? I would think that the immediate answer would be yes! When you have your old siding removed, this is absolutely the perfect time to install Dupont Tyvek ThermaWrap. What this product will do for your Texas home is to push the unwanted HEAT Back Out of your home in the Texas Summertime and push the HEAT back INTO your home (prevent it from escaping) in the Texas wintertime. This in turn will save you money year round and reduce your Texas utility bills every month by having your Heat/AC unit run less now that your home is more energy efficient because the Tyvek ThermaWrap is stopping much of the heat gain/loss!

Energy Efficiency Performance under Your Hardie Siding 

Tyvek ThermaWrap is a low emissivity (Low-E), metallized weather barrier that will actually increase the effective and total R-value of any wall systems, to help improve energy efficiency in our Texas homes. DuPont Tyvek ThermaWrap is made with a metallized, low-emission (low-e) surface that reflects solar radiation away from our Houston Texas metro area homes. Cold weather in Texas, this will help stop radiant heat transfer and loss from within the home. In the summer weather, Tyvek ThermaWrap do the opposite by reflecting warm air back out and away from our Texas homes, to help improve air-conditioning (A/C) efficiency. In all of our Texas seasons, that can help make our homes much more comfortable, more energy efficient, and less costly to operate. No more Hot and Cold rooms and the home has more of an even temperature.

R-2 Plus Helping Block Air Infiltration and Exfiltration

ThermaWrap has the ability to help increase the effective R-Value of a wall, Tyvek ThermaWrap is also an excellent vapor permeable air and water barrier, like all Tyvek materials. The low-e surface changes the dynamics of radiant heat flow across the entire wall system.

Nearly two-thirds of the total heat lost or gained is through our Texas homes occurs through radiant heat flow. Tyvek ThermaWrap addresses this by helping to dramatically improve the effective R-value (resistance Value) of the wall system. This is highly effective at reducing heat gain when the weather turns hot here in Southeast Texas for over 6 months. Tyvek ThermaWrap is ideal for our Southeast Texas weather.

Reduce Texas Energy Bills – How It Works

Radiant Heat

Radiant Heat flow occurs when heat is transferred from a warmer object to a cooler one by electromagnetic waves and natural heat flow. These waves do not need to pass through air and they do not require any contact between the two materials. They simply cross empty space in exactly the same way as the heat of the sun, which
can be felt on cold days. Tyvek ThermaWrap incorporates a low-e, metallic surface that changes the radiant heat flow dynamics of the entire wall system. In winter, it reflects and or pushes radiant heat back into the wall system. Texas summer time,
ThermaWrap reflects the outside solar radiation away from the wall system, to reduce unwanted heat gain into our Texas homes in southeast TX. The total overall effect is an overall total increase in the effective R-value to the entire wall system.

When installed, Tyvek ThermaWrap adds an effective R-value (thermal resistance) equal to R-2 (R- Value). In Texas homes this can help reduce energy usage and costs for heating and cooling systems, year-round. This is a huge plus for southeast Texas Homeowners in the Houston, Spring The Woodlands metro area.

Free Tyvek Estimate Form

Missing roof kick-out flashing

Roofing Components

I cannot stress enough to homeowners the importance of kick-out flashing and how often it is overlooked.  Kick-out flashing is a small piece of metal flashing that diverts the water away from an intersection where a side wall and roof line meet.

Missing Kick-out Flashing

The photo to the right showcases missing kick-out flashing on the roof. Note how there is no flashing where the roofing shingles meet the sidewall.  The lack of flashing allows mold to grow and the wood siding to begin rotting. This is a common problem here in Houston and southeast Texas.

Corrected Kick-out Flashing

Kick-out flashing installation

After the rotted wood is replaced, the kick-out flashing needs to be installed under the roofing shingles.

Here in Houston Texas we receive nearly 4′ of rain per year. This correctly installed flashing will ensure that no water gets behind the siding and roofing shingles to cause mold and rot issues.

Kick-out Flashing Example  

Completed Roofing kick-out flashing job

This is a Stucco Siding job with correctly installed kick-out flashing.

This photo showcases how to stop water from entering under roofing shingles and siding long after the crews are gone.

As with any roofing shingle replacement job done by a reputable contractor, the correct components are the key. When a roof is being replaced, often a company will not replace some essential components/flashings to save money.

If you are receiving roofing replacements bids or estimates, look for a list of components such as, pipe jacks, valley flashings, drip edge, sidewall flashings and ridge vents.

All of these should be replaced when changing your roof to insure no leakage for many years to come. That way when it is raining hard in the middle of the evening you can rest assure that any leaks will be non existent!

I truly hope that you have found this article most helpful and informative when it comes to proper re-roofing installation techniques. Greg Kapitan of Texas Home Exteriors.

Visit my website to learn more TexasHomeExteriors.com

email me directly at [email protected]

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