Houston Wind Storm

Severe weather caused by front coming in
Were you awakened last night by the howling wind?

If your roof is more than 5 years old, it is possible that the wind has blown some shingles back, lifting and curling them allowing water to penetrate underneath. This causes problems and decay over time. Water driven up under the shingles does not dry out properly and will start to grow mold and mildew.

As a result, your 20 or 30 year roof was just down graded by the storm to a 10 or 15 year roof. Mold and mildew begins a decay process that breaks down the shingles and works on the paper under the layer of shingles. Roof failure resulting in leaks and further damage, including attic and even interior damage, is likely to occur.

Get your roof inspected now to ensure there are still years of life left in it. If we find there are minor repairs needed, we'll estimate the repairs at no cost to you. Visit our website for more information and to schedule your appointment.

Houston Snow!

How about all that Houston area SNOW!
Brrrrr - That cold front was really nice and refreshing but, I'll bet it sure gave your home's heater a work out. And if you have old windows (single pane, builder grade), a lot of that heat just escaped into the atmosphere. Let's call a spade a spade. Leaky windows are "Money Leaks"!

New Replacement Windows are built better in many ways:

• Better Frames - Vinyl or Thermally Broken Aluminum
• Double Pane Glass
• Huge Air Gap of 3/4 inch or 7/8 inch!
• Argon Gas between the panes
• Low E Glass coatings - prevents heat exchange "pass thru"

All of these features work together to help you keep the heat inside your house where you can enjoy it.

The National Fenestration Ratings Council (NFRC) gives windows a rating for thermal retention. It is what is known as the U Factor rating. Energy Star windows have a pretty flexible rating for U Factor and it is scaled like this:

• Northern Climate: .35 or less
• North Central Climate: .40 or less
• South Central Climate: .40 or less
• Southern Climate "Texas": .75 - .60 or less

But, is "Energy Star" certified enough? Not really...

Here in Texas, you would be hard pressed to find windows with the U Factor in the recommended range of .60 to .75 because most windows available are better that that. In fact, in order to get a Federal Energy Credit anywhere in the US, the windows must meet .30 or lower! That is lower (better) rating than what they recommend in North Dakota and Minnesota!

I can tell you this for sure; Energy is not getting any cheaper. So I am happy that the Federal Rebate program requirements are so stringent. I am also happy to say that All-Tex Exteriors has plenty of options available so that you can not only meet the requirements for the rebate but, to ensure the comfort and safety of your family as well!

How about having us out for a consultation...we don't charge for that! We hope to see you soon!

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.

How to Choose Coastal Hurricane Impact Windows - Houston, Galveston

How to Choose Coastal Hurricane Impact Windows - Houston, Galveston

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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.

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).

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!