Spring Spruce Up, Part 2: When it’s Time for a New Roof

In the first installment of our spring spruce up series, we talked all about siding. In Part 2, we’re shifting our focus to roofing. In this article we’ll share some of the things you’ll want to be aware of if you’re considering a new roof. Whether it’s from damage, age, or you simply want to increase the value of your home, new roofing is a big investment — and doing a little homework now can save you time, energy and money down the road. As with Part 1 of this series, you’ll want to make sure you get multiple estimates, talk with your insurance agent, and understand which are the top brands for each roofing type … GET MULTIPLE ESTIMATES (PROPOSALS) Josh Gauwitz always says, “you don’t have to use us for the project, but you should always get an estimate from us, and at least one other roofing contractor.” It can be tempting to just pick a contractor you feel good about, but multiple estimates can go a long way in helping you make

Read More »

Spring Spruce Up, Part 1: When it’s Time for New Siding

Back in March, we talked all about Preparing Your Siding for Spring in one of our blog posts. But what happens if, while you’re prepping your siding for spring, you find that you might need new siding? Whether it’s from age, damage from the elements, or you’re just looking to give the exterior of your home a facelift, there are a few things you’ll want to be aware of before you embark on vinyl siding replacement. 1. Talk with Your Insurance Agent … … Especially if your vinyl siding needs replacement because of damage. It’s important to speak with your insurance person right away if there is ever any kind of damage to your home, and your vinyl siding is no exception. One of the nice perks of working with Legacy Exteriors, is that we work with you to help you through the claims process. This is important because it can be tricky proceeding with an insurance company when making an insurance claim, which is why we help homeowners understand the process on how to

Read More »

Preparing Your Windows for Spring

Thus far in our spring preparation series, we’ve covered preparing your deck, roof, siding, and gutters for spring. In this installment of the series, our focus is on windows. In addition to providing your home with light, and a view of the outdoors, windows are an integral part of keeping your home protected from the elements. One way to extend the life of your windows, and ensure they are doing their job efficiently, is inspecting and maintaining them after winter.  To help you prepare your windows for spring, we’re sharing the following seven highly effective tips … Check Window Insulation Insulation has a great effect on the efficiency of your windows, which is why it’s important to make sure your insulation is in good shape. As a windows contractor, we’ve seen many instances where a homeowner’s windows are fine, but the insulation is not, so it’s definitely worthwhile to inspect the insulation yourself or have a professional do so for you. If you do decide to have a professional inspection, please note that you should

Read More »

Preparing Your Gutters for Spring

Gutters aren’t something homeowners think about much — unless they’re not working right. That said, spring is the perfect time to ensure that your gutters are in good shape to function well after the winter months. To help you check for proper gutter functionality, we’re sharing five tips … 1. Trim Those Trees If there are branches overhanging or in contact with your roof and/or gutters, have them trimmed ASAP. This will ensure that once leaves start to appear on your trees, they don’t wind up in your gutters. This also makes sure that branches and bark don’t break off and damage your roof or gutters, which can happen during heavy rain storms, or when winter weather causes branches to bow or break due to ice and snow accumulation on them. You can trim branches yourself with the right tool, hire a tree care company, or even a local experienced handyman. If the branches are large, we recommend hiring out the job to a professional for safety reasons. 2. Inspect Your Gutters Take a look

Read More »

Preparing Your Siding for Spring

In the third installment of our series on how to prepare the exterior of your home for spring, our focus is on your home’s siding. As a local siding contractor, we’ve seen just what a Wisconsin winter can do to a home’s exterior, which is why it’s important to review the following list to make sure your siding is in good shape.  Clean it Up with a Power Wash Take a good look at the siding on your home to see if it needs a cleaning. If it does, you may want to give it a good wash and light scrubbing with a power wash. If you don’t have a machine of your own, you can rent one to handle the job. Just note that doing this on your own could cause damage to your siding — like dents and pitting — so if you’re not experienced with power washing, you might want to hire a local siding contractor to do the job. Another important thing to consider is that vinyl siding has “molded-in colors,”

Read More »