Siding is the #1 Home Improvement - Houston, Austin, All-Tex Exteriors

Home and Garden Television rates Siding Replacement #1 Investment

HGTV rates the top ten home improvement you can make on your home according to a balance of price, value, appearance and enjoyment. Out of the many improvements you can make, like kitchens, baths, pools,etc., HGTV, the authority on Home Renovations, says the removing the old wood or masonite siding from your home and replacing it with quality fiber cement siding like James Hardie Hardiplank is the top investment.

"It may not be glamorous, but replacing siding is our No. 1 pick for home improvements that add value to your home. Here is your chance to make a great first impression in the real estate world. If your siding is in bad shape, your home is going to earn the title of fixer-upper."

Read the full article here...

Remodeling your Houston and Austin area Home - All-Tex Exteriors

Going Green has benefits for the environment and your checkbook!

Taking this old house from greedy to green:

Older homes possess a lot of unique traits and charm. Often, historic neighborhoods contain a level of craftsmanship and skillful woodwork that simply doesn´t exist in today´s new home building trends.

Unfortunately, they also may contain dangerous levels of lead and other hazards. Older homes may be poorly insulated and have extensive draft issues. Not for nothing are they known as "energy hogs", sucking more than they should and more than they need to from the grid.

Read more here...

Choosing a Contractor with Integrity - Houston Austin Home Renovation

Communication:
This is an easy one to overlook. Typically, a lot of communication goes into making the sale or winning the bid. But once the project is underway, it´s common for major design differences or budget changes to derail the progress.

A quality professional contractor is going to let you know as soon as possible about any changes, look out for your best interests, protect your investment and budget, and be available to answer any questions you have as you have them. They are the expert; they know all the proper lingo and insider deals.

A good contractor will seek to educate you along the way.

an article by All-Tex Exteriors, Houston and Austin's top home remodeler.

Read more here...

New Articles about All-Tex Exteriors in the American Chronicle

Please take a look at the following new articles about All-Tex Exteriors in the American Chronicle and their network of news sites.

Historic Home Renovation Vintage Renovating Historic Houses Texas Resources & Remodeling Tips


High End Renovation Home Remodeling Products to Maintain Property Value Austin Houston Texas


Home Improvement Disaster High End Home Renovation Mistakes To Avoid Austin Texas Contractors


Choosing Safe Trustworthy Home Improvement Renovators Contractors High-End Austin Houston Texas

Choosing the Right Contractor for the job

What are the qualifications for the right contractor for your job?

When you are looking for a contractor to complete a project on your home, here are some things to look for:

• Licensing - If your area requires it, they should be able to prove they are licensed. In Texas, licensing is not required. Look for associations like GHBA, TAB, NHBA and TRCC.
• A physical address - beware of wandering nomad types. If they don't have an address they probably won't be around to service your warranty or finish your job.
• Time in Business - Most small businesses fail in the first 3 years of operation. Have they crossed that threshold yet? More than 5 years is best and more is even better.
• A listing on the BBB web site - Being a member of the BBB is even better than a listing. I shows that they agree to follow complaint resolution processes.
• Experience - Ask about specific experience for your type and size of project. Just because someone can paint a bedroom does not mean they can paint the exterior of your home. Equipment and skillset requirements are different.
• Insurance - Make sure they have adequate insurance and have a copy of their insurance certificate. Does it cover their employees and subcontractors?
• References - If they have done work like the project they are bidding for, ask for a list of references. Ask to speak with or see comparable projects.
• Warranty - Do they offer a labor warranty on top of the product warranties? Ask about their warranty service procedure.

When selecting a contractor, it is important that you take these items into consideration.

According to the BBB, 70% of all complaints posted are posted against contractors and handymen. It is not uncommon to see complaints listed on contractors but more important is how they react to complaints. Their complaints should be handled promptly and equitably and should be shown as resolved. They will only be in good standing with the BBB if they are a member and have followed complaint resolutions procedures.

Don't get burned by unscrupulous contractors. Hire an established contractor with history, experience, warranty, insurance and references.

Reading the NFRC label on windows

What is the NFRC sticker?
The NFRC label or sticker is placed on new windows by the manufacturer. The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a government ratings agency that evaluates products for their impact on the environment and their ability to increase energy efficiency.

What do the ratings mean?
There are several ratings numbers on the sticker that determine the level of efficiency that the window is designed for. This will help determine your level of energy efficiency savings and helps determine if a window is right for your climate.

What is meant by "right for my climate"?
The United States has several climate zones as I am sure you are aware. Certain plants survive or thrive in specific climates. Some plants need a lot of sun where others are less tolerant. Some (like Napa Valley wine grapes) like the cool foggy mornings and evenings with a hot dry sunny day. For the discussion of windows though, we are talking about the number of heating days versus the number of cooling days in the year.

The Southern States have more days of sunshine and hot weather while our Northern States have a longer winter and a mild summer. In the South, we'll be running the air conditioner more often than the heater. Minnesotan's will be running the heater much more. I have many friends in Seattle that do not even have air conditioning in their home...unheard of in Houston.

So what do the numbers mean?
The two most important numbers to look at are the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and the U-Factor (UF).

SHGC: A windows ability to keep the heat from the sun out is called the solar heat gain coefficient. Something with full exposure to the sun is the base number of 1. The SHGC number relates to the percentage of solar gain the window can block out. Windows that block out 70% of the solar heat gain have a coefficient number of .30. In the Southern Region, a low solar heat gain coefficient of .30 or lower will help your air conditioner work more efficiently by blocking 70% or more of the solar heat gain from outdoors. Northern clients will appreciate a higher SHGC since it will help them on clear sunny winter days since they will allow the sun to warm the house.

U-Factor: The UF of a window is the number relating to how efficiently the windows insulate your home and keep your heated air in. Again, 1 is the base number and the lower the number, the better an insulator the window is. A UF of around .30 is a good target with lower numbers being better for our Northern neighbors.

This is a lot to remember! Do I have to know this stuff?
When you are dealing with a qualified remodeling contractor, such as All-Tex Exteriors make sure your representative understands your concerns and how important reducing your energy bill is. They can help you arrive at the correct window for your specific needs.

Energy Audit for your Home - Replacement Windows Houston

Before you tackle replacement windows and other energy saving improvements, find out your baseline!
Having an energy audit done before and after big changes like replacement windows or replacement Hardie siding, is a good idea. If you can prove the level of improvement gained by getting a baseline measurement first and then another audit after the new windows, you can calculate your return on investment and your pay back period. Watch the video on Danny Lipford's site for details.

The Return on investment for Replacement Windows is generally around 89% to 92% according to Remodeling Today magazine. You'll only realize that if you sell though. New windows put you at a competitive advantage over other homes that are for sale and will fetch you a premium over the competition.

In addition to ROI, consider the energy savings. If you plan to live in your home over 10 years, your windows will pay for themselves through energy savings. Estimates of 25% to 40% savings per month can really add up. For an Energy bill of $200 per month, that is $25 to $80 savings per month. The payback rate will be about one window per year.

Add to these ROI and Energy savings the fact that the Federal Government has the Energy Credit still going on throughout 2010. Buy the right windows and you'll be 30% or up to a total of $1500 back from the Feds. That pays for almost 3 windows right there.

Let us help you determine the best course of action for you. We perform a complete evaluation of your current windows and recommend the correct look, style and fit for your home. Custom cut double pane windows that meet the Federal requirements for the rebate.

Don't wait! January is filling up quickly!

All-Tex Exteriors

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!