Many homeowners embarking on exterior upgrades choose the energy efficiency of vinyl siding and framed windows, or the low-maintenance stability of PVC exterior trim and shutters. But those materials more often than not come in a limited range of colors. Very often, if you don’t like white or off-white you’re out of luck. Continue reading
Fall is a great time to finish up outdoor projects, but a lot of homeowners wonder if it’s safe to paint in cooler conditions. The short answer is yes…but you’ll need to pay closer attention to weather conditions than during the longer days of summer. This is because most paints are formulated to cure best when temperatures are around 70 to 77 degrees F and relative humidity is around 50%. The more temperature and humidity deviate from those optimal conditions, the riskier it is to paint. Here are some quick guidelines to help you determine whether you should pick up a brush, or move on to other projects on your To-Do list. Continue reading
Stucco, concrete block, and other masonry have the reputation for being strong materials but the downside is that they’re also brittle and tend to develop cracks as they expand and contract with changes in temperature. In wet climates like in Florida and along the Gulf coast, small cracks can quickly lead to big problems–rot, mildew, and mold–because they allow wind-driven rain into the wall. In colder, northern climates where there are freeze/thaw cycles, if water enters the cracks and turns to ice, small cracks soon turn into big ones. Continue reading
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