Friday, November 27, 2009

Why does Paint Stay on Hardiplank longer than on wood? Houston Austin

Paint lasts longer on Hardie
Wood products respond to the high humidity in our area by a constant process of expanding and shrinking. As the moisture content in our air (and boy do we get humidity!) increases, wood expands. When the air dries out, wood contracts or shrinks.

Since paint is applied over the wood, paint has to expand/stretch and shrink with the wood. Thankfully, latex has some elasticity to it but, over time, paint will eventually lose it's grip on the wood surface.

Applying wood to your home is like buying something that you know requires more maintenance! You will have to take care of this "high maintenance" product often - every 3 to 5 years!

James Hardie Hardiplank Siding on the other hand, is not susceptible to the same cycle of expansion and contraction! With much less movement in the hardie siding as a result of reactions to humidity, paint lasts a real long time on hardie! Two, three and FOUR times longer. So instead of painting every 3-5 years, paint on hardie will last 10 years or more!

  • Hardie lasts longer than wood
  • Does not rot
  • Does not get termites
  • Has factory applied primer
  • Looks like wood
  • Does not shrink and expand with our humidity
  • AND COSTS LESS THAN WOOD!

Clearly, replacing your wood siding and trim with Hardie Siding and Trim and then painting with two coats of a high quality paint like All-Tex Exteriors uses in Houston and Austin areas - Sherwin-Williams Superpaint, is a much better solution!

Get rid of the wood and solve the problem once and for all! Call All-Tex Exteriors for all your hardiplank and exterior painting needs in the Houston and Austin areas.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Hardiplank Siding Austin, TX

It's time to get rid of the rotten wood on your house!

The hot, humid climate here in Texas contributes to and accelerates the decay of our homes. Wood siding, put on by the builder 15 years and more ago, has been getting dry rot and termites. Contributing to the fast decay is siding that has not been kept painted and caulked. If you replace wood with wood, you are not fixing the problem!

Vinyl? Aluminum? Fiber Cement?
There are several different choices out there and all are better than replacing wood with wood. Here are a few reasons NOT to choose vinyl or aluminum:

  • Vinyl is very thin, tears easily and is not a significant insulator.
  • Vinyl is too lightweight and can just peel off the house in high winds.
  • Vinyl is difficult if not impossible to repaint.
  • Aluminum a poor insulator against heat gain. It is a heat conductor.
  • Aluminum dents from impact and difficult to repair.
  • Both are often placed right over the rotten bug infested wood! HIDING not SOLVING the problem!

It's time for a real solution!
Hardiplank siding by James Hardie Company is a real solution. Wood should be replaced with a product that does not change the look of the house much while solving all the problems of wood. Consider:

  • Hardie is a Fiber Cement product. Cellulose fibers, Silica, Cement.
  • Has deep rich cedar looking wood grain.
  • Rot and bug resistant.
  • Fire, impact and moisture resistant.
  • Is easily repaired.
  • Is easily repainted.

All-Tex Exteriors in Austin, TX is the contractor you need to do the job right. Members of the BBB, GHBA, TRCC, TAB and NARI. All-Tex has hundreds of references and nearly 20 years in business. All-Tex offers financing and also includes a Lifetime installation warranty! We are easy to find too...www.alltexexteriors.com/siding/ or call the Austin Branch at 866-921-5718.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Beautiful Wooden Benches for your Patio or Deck

Need a place to seat all your guests?

It's the holiday entertaining season! You'll have more guests over this time of year than any other time. You need a place for your guests to sit.

How about adding some warm comfortable wooden benches to your patio or deck area? We have a great selection of cedar and other wood species in a variety of styles and sizes. Browse the selection below.

We're sure you'll find something that complements your decor and does not break the bank!

Do-It-Yourself DIY Wood Pergola

The Fall is a Great Time for DIY Projects!

The fall is the best time to plant trees so you'll probably be spending time out in your backyard this Fall. This time of year is also a great time to start planning some of the other features that you'll want back there.

How about a great looking wooden pergola? They are an easy DIY project and building it yourself can save hundreds of dollars.

Take a look at the following beautiful Wooden DIY Pergolas. They can be shipped directly to your home in most states (no need to rent or borrow your neighbors truck).

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Do You Have a Thermal Leak?

Replacement Windows save you Energy but, How do you know when you have a Thermal Leak?

A thermal leak occurs when there are gaps around your windows and doors allowing heated or cooled air to escape. It can be difficult to detect and even more difficult to calculate or approximate the amount of energy loss is occurring.

This Thermal Leak detector from Black and Decker can truly pay for itself. Use it around the house to check for leaks at windows and doors...those are usually the biggest culprits. Other areas that typical homeowners and some professionals leave out are around light switches, wall outlets, HVAC registers and HVAC ducting in the attic.

At this affordable price, it is a must have!