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A storm in these winter conditions can take the country back by a billion dollars in damages. So, to avoid expensive repairs, make sure your house is ready for winter.  

We understand how overwhelming it may seem, that is why we will help you prepare and protect your house from the harsh winter. Take out a pen and paper and be ready to make your home maintenance checklist for this winter. Here is what you need to do: 

Plumbing

It goes without saying how important it is to maintain sump pumps. They are essentially the last line of defense against floods and drain water. For this purpose, test the pump before winter arrives. Often people ignore this and end up having a flooded basement thereby damaging the foundation of the building. 

To check if it is working well, locate the exit pipe first. Check for any debris residue or dirt. In case it is clogged, clean it well. To put things into perspective, you need to direct the water away from your house’s foundation. 

If this work is proving too much for you, let the professionals handle it. A lot of people undervalue the importance of plumbing. Before winter arrives, it is best you make the necessary repairs and replacements. Wrap the pipes that are exposed to walls using heating tape and pipe insulation. Investigate the condition of sprinkles, faucets and get them repaired if required. It is vital that you understand one of the most essential things you need to ensure before winters is that your plumbing is in place. So, hire a professional plumbing service and let them take care of these tasks for you. 

Stucco

Before the clock hits winter, get your stucco repaired. Winters are not the best time to repair things. And something like stucco does not usually require constant maintenance but you must so as to increase the life of the wall. In other words, if you have installed stucco in your home, clean it and check for any cracks. 

Most times people keep prolonging repair work but that is not wise. If there is any crack and you leave it exposed before winters, the damage will only increase. Before you know it, the situation will worsen and you’ll end up spending hundreds of extra dollars. Stucco repair is not something that you can do yourself. While you can clean the dirt and check for any damage, having professionals investigate the condition of your stucco has a lot of benefits. 

Putting things into perspective, stucco is rigid, durable, and pretty simple to maintain. Being a porous material, it absorbs a lot of stains. So, before you welcome winters, seek help from professionals and get your stucco clean and fixed. 

Windows

Winter is around the corner and you need to make sure your house is well insulated. It can get really cold really fast. And windows are a great way to let the natural light of the Sun warm your house. Especially in areas in the house that have no ventilation like a basement, maintaining window wells is vital. 

If it is not maintained well, you are putting your basement at risk. So, before winter sets in, do a close inspection of the window wells. It is the time of the year when the problem can only get worse. 

Window well flooding is very common. One of its major contributors is liner failure. That is why you must ensure that the liner is not detached from the foundation wall otherwise the soil pressure can increase the gap between the liner and the wall causing flooding. So, inspect the liner and in case it is loose, replace it without any delay. 

Electrical System 

The weather is changing. It is starting to stay darker for a longer time. The last thing you want at this hour is a power failure. Isn’t that really annoying? 

You do not want the electrical system failing during these months. So, before the winter kicks in completely, make sure you do complete electrical system maintenance. Inspect the main panel for any breakage of wires, sparking, bad insulation, or discoloration of the wires. This is something you cannot ignore. 

Head to your nearest hardware store and get yourself a multimeter to test power flow through the circuits. Do not forget to check all the wall sockets and most importantly the heating system. Imagine your heating system breaking down during peak winters. Not ideal, right? 

So, to avoid such a situation, make sure you have listed electricity system maintenance in your checklist. 

Prepare for Storms

Winter is harsh. Often it brings sleet, blizzards, and rain. So, it is only wise to be prepared ahead of time. This way, next time a storm hits, it won’t leave you in trouble. If you have a generator, make sure it is working properly. It is always best to store flashlights and batteries in case there is any blackout or power outages. 

Another thing you can do is to get yourself a battery-operated radio in your house in case your cell phone reception runs into any trouble. However, this is highly unlikely in urban areas but not impossible. It is always best to be prepared and practice home improvement than lament afterward. 

Conclusion

So, you see there are loads of things you need to do before winter arrives. The list above is only a few things that you need to do. There are several other essential points that you need to add to your list like sealing leaking doors, weatherproofing exterior pipes, cleaning vents, and a lot more. So, start by these but do not limit your maintenance checklist with the above points. Weatherproof your house by performing all the preventive maintenance. This way the cold and wet stay outside. 

It is understandable to feel overwhelmed by all this work. In case you feel the same, hire professionals to help you with these tasks. While they are not too complicated, it is always best to have experts work and carry out proper maintenance activities. 

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Modern contemporary designs include several layered finishes of synthetic stucco, brick, wood, vinyl, stone, etc.

Whether you decide to build or remodel your beloved home, choosing the suitable exterior side material can make a tremendous difference in the sensation of your property. 

Synthetic stucco and brick are several of the most prestigious selections on the market. Well, for a long time, both can make your home exterior outstanding. It is excellent for building a new home or for upgrading an existing one. 

Now let’s consider the tips to deciding the best material for your dream home. Ensure your decision is guided by each product’s present, future adaptability, flexibility, and construction styles.

Synthetic Stucco or Brick: What better? 

Although they both offer many benefits, they have significant downsides. Stucco’s many qualities distinguish it from bricks. Brick maintains the same color throughout its life span but can paint stucco surfaces with any color. Brick is also rigid and more consistent than stucco. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Uniqueness: Synthetic stucco can be bent and curved without influencing the structure of the Stucco while Brick can not be bent, but only modeled for the suitable task

Stucco is also a durable product in diverse climates capable of withstanding rain, snow, and heat. However, Bricks is also a sustainable product, but their repair costs can exceed the actual plan. 

Cost: Although stucco may initially be more expensive, its features allow it to stand than brick and develop architectural designs that brick would not have done. Each of these materials has different pricing properties. 

Energy Efficiency: Brick’s and synthetic stucco’s energy efficiency varies in a little way. Both have an R-value of about 0.4, half that of a woodside, so the material is resistant to heat flow. 

Maintenance: Honestly, both item has a good maintenance culture. Brick is a fantastic choice if you want to have lasting and low maintenance on your exterior. No need for painting, screening, rotting or denting. 

In another way, stucco needs a lot more care over the years. Since it is porous, objects such as tree sap may discolor, and cracks can occur much more often because of the texture. 

Durability: When it comes to lifespan, Brick and Stucco have the same durability. Both siding materials include a professional installation of mortar and grout. 

Brick is a longer-lasting choice. Stucco sides are sensitive to rot and mold growth in places of high humidity, such as the Pacific to the northwest. Brick can also better withstand the unavoidable freeze-thaw cycle, while severe winter circumstances affect stucco siding. 

Installation: Stucco or brick installation is not an easy operation for DIY. It is far better to contract these jobs to specialists. Labor costs for the Stucco system are, however, considerably lower than those for facing bricks. So Stucco is usually cheaper. Stucco is installed in several phases, and numerous changes depend on how you use it or want it. 

Appearance: You can’t go wrong with the brick siding if you want a traditional and eco-friendly timeless appeal. It is also ideal for historical and contemporary houses. 

However, the color range is limited instead of Stucco. Clever look and a wide range of colors, whether tinting a stucco blend or painting once healed, make Stucco more popular. It is best used in contemporary designs or houses in the country. 

Flexibility: While it may be tough to choose between the two, it depends on individual desire and several circumstances. Stucco can be more flexible than its counterpart.

Due to this flexibility, repairs and upkeep can surpass expectations. Stucco lasts but can also offer a chance to be innovative in building and finally, in all its aspects, will become less expensive than Brick. 

Choosing The Best Exterior

Although choosing between the two may be difficult, the decision is dependent on individual preference and a range of factors:

• Flexibility
• Durability
• Contruction style, 
• Future adaptability
• And repair and maintenance costs 

After considering the above factors, make your decision and swing to action. It is very confident with the opportunity ahead, and both will provide an imaginative construction. Let us now consider its external ability.

Exterior Brick styles 

External bricks are fantastic and appealing. It requires little upkeep and improves the value of resale. They also prevent noise and are fireproof. 

However, if the Brick gets damaged, it will be more costly and difficult to adjust the old or weathered Brick to the new color. Brick is less expensive and easier to lay than Stucco. Brick appears giant and has identical thicknesses. 

External Stucco Style 

The exterior Stucco is quite popular with freshly built structures, particularly on the south and west coasts. Stucco is a cement substance, so it is fire-resistant as well. 

Stucco, like a brick, is relatively maintenance-free. However, it might be incredibly pricey to install this kind of exterior. Over time, Stucco can crack; however, cracking is frequently easy to amend, and the owner can save money. 

Properties of Bricks and Stucco

Many people compare Stucco to Brick or vice versa because both are attractive and pragmatic materials, yet the two materials are different. 

Bricks: Pros and cons 

When investigating these possibilities, there are numerous factors to mind. Below are the pros and cons of Brick. 

Pros 

1. Brick is extraordinarily durable, over a century. 
2. Can be able to resist several elements, like fire, insects, and damaging winds. 
3. Brick preserves your home’s façade. 
4. You may paint Brick for a new aesthetic. 
5. Brick is highly valued and can provide significant rewards. 

Cons 

1. Brick can be pricey and can be expensive. 
2. Installation may take up to several weeks. 
3. The placement of bricks is complex and requires abilities in masonry. 
4. DIY might not be possible; the work of specialists is better. 

Synthetic Stucco: pros and Cons

Stucco may be a better choice, but it has drawbacks for the exterior of your home. Here are several things to consider when it comes to Stucco. 

Pros 

1. Stucco is versatile. Smooth swirls and gallstones can be created. 
2. Stucco is fire resistant. It can slow down the spread of flames, making it perfect for areas where houses are closer by. 
3. Stucco siding can be tightened and repainted to provide soft, subtle colours or bright eyes to modernize the look. 
4. It takes only days to install stucco. 
5. Stucco is also perfect for dry, moderate locations. 

Cons 

1. If your base settles, stucco siding may be slippery and break down. 
2. Stucco provides no sound isolation. 
3. Stucco siding expenses can be high, especially for wood-frame homes. 
4. Recommendable for installation by qualified specialists and is not appropriate for DIYers. 

Stucco Design Flexibility 

Synthetic stucco provides a range of design flexibility specific to the neighborhood and home. Because of the texture! Regardless of your aesthetics, stucco texture options are always glamorous for your desired look.

The versatility of colors and various stucco constructions can produce a spectacular appearance that will make you proud. Stucco is appealing, long-lasting material featured in homes throughout the country. Expect the best result when you build your home with stucco. 

Combination of Both

Do you know stucco and brick could go well together? They make a very eloquent combination during construction, and you could get some of this great innovation and build lovely and astonishing new designs for your next project. Ask us how?

The choice of siding can be challenging to overcome. Let us help you to identify the best option, as you consider either brick or stucco. See our siding & cost guide to start your new project.

The post Pros And Cons Of Synthetic Stucco That You Should Know appeared first on Sky Stucco Systems Contractor.

Some time is better to have more daylight, better views, or a little extra headroom. Or, well-designed dormers might just add some character to the house.

When the primary goal is simply to add usable floor area while preserving the lines of the main roof, a shed dormer is often the most practical solution. Large shed dormers can significantly alter the look of the house, however, so sometimes they’re best placed in the back. Gable dormers are another solution, but when they get too large, they quickly overwhelm the lower floors of the house and make it look top-heavy. That said, should a dormer become large enough to be considered a cross gable, it will Pretty much hold its own as a major design element. Combining dormer designs can solve some difficult design decisions even while complicating roof framing.

Appropriately scaled gable dormers bring in light while adding charm and interest to a large or plain roof. If designed well, they don’t compete with the lines of the main house; instead, they reinforce, complement, and enrich the house’s personality.

Show restraint

By far, the most common mistake is making dormers too big. It’s understandable to maximize the bang for your buck, but big dormers quickly compromise the design, especially on smaller houses that have low eaves. Think of the window as the main reason the dormer exists, and provide the minimum framework necessary around the window for structure and insulation.

Here, I’ve designed gable dormers for a 1940s Cape—a style of home that often calls for dormers. The upper floor is to be finished as living space, so light, views, and egress are important factors driving the redesign. It’s important to factor in egress when designing dormers to make sure the dormers will meet code requirements.

The house has low eaves, simple trim, and an asymmetrical front facade. It’s in a historic district, so the dormer additions need to be done carefully to enhance, not detract from, the home’s character.

Gable dormers for a 1940s Cape

A) Spacing

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to dormer spacing, but start with geometric patterns. For example, these three dormers happen to look best if evenly spread across the roof, but often the end dormers can be cheated a bit to the outside.

B) Roof slope

The most conventional approach is to match the house’s roof slope. Here, that slope is 10-in-12. However, certain designs can support various slopes. When the dormer gable is inspired by a classical pediment, the pitch can be lower than the house roof, down to about 5-in-12.

C) Height

When the house’s facade is tall, the dormers can be tall. Similarly, when the facade is short, the dormers can be short. However, height shouldn’t be a control in itself; rather, dormer height should always be driven by the size and scale of the windows to be used in the dormer.

D) Width

In her book Get Your House Right, Marianne Cusato suggests that the total width of a dormer be the same as that of the windows, including trim, on the main house below. This is a noble goal on straightforward, classical architecture. When adding a dormer to a house that does not already have perfect classical details, you have to use the house as a reference. For example, on a bungalow, the dormer may look best with a little extra width to create more horizontal proportions.

E) Main-house reference

On many houses, you can ignore the base of the house and focus simply on how well the dormers look on the roof. Because the dormers are in a different plane from the main-house wall, and because the roof eave provides a strong horizontal break, alignment with elements below is less important than the massing—that is, how the dormers “feel” on the roof.

Dormer placement

F) Placement

Dormer placement is driven by many factors. Ideally, the window heads would align with any gable windows on each end of the house, and the ceiling in the dormer would be in plane with the other ceilings on the interior. From an exterior point of view, it’s amassing decision, and one best viewed in three dimensions. The “center of gravity” of the dormer—generally about two-thirds of the height of the cheek wall or half the overall height of the dormer—should land near the center of the roof. It’s OK to move it down a bit, but don’t move it higher.

G) Rake overhang

When there is little or no rake overhang on the main house, detail the dormer to match. When the house has a larger rake overhang, reduce the overhang depth on the dormer by 25% to 50%, unless your intention is to draw attention to the dormer roof.

H) Trim size

As a rule, I scale the trim down by 10% to 25% compared to the roof trim on the main house.

I) Trim profiles

This house has simple eave trim: a vertical 1×8 with a gutter that creates a basic cornice. It doesn’t make sense to use gutters on dormers because any rain is directed into the gutters below. To create a different yet still appropriate cornice molding, use a flat fascia board set on a 40° to 45° angle.

Window size

J) Window size

When sizing windows, choose units that reflect the first-floor windows but are scaled-down by 10% to 25%. Keep the aspect ratio—the proportion of a window’s height to its width— the same, or make the windows slightly squat

K) Egress

If any dormers are in a bedroom, remember that at least one window in each bedroom must meet code for egress. An egressable window has a distance from the floor no greater than 44 in., a minimum net-clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft., minimum width of 20 in., and a minimum height of 24 in. This does not mean that an opening of 20 in. by 24 in. meets code. For example, a 20 in.-wide window has to be at least 42 in. high to meet the 5.7-sq.-ft. requirement. Also, because only half of a double-hung unit can be opened at a time, the net-clear opening is drastically diminished—down to 4.2 sq. ft. for the window in the drawing. Fortunately, manufacturers make casement windows that look like double-hung units for this purpose. For this project, such a casement window would have a net-clear opening of 8.4 sq. ft.

L) Gable material
If the house details are simple, as they are here, matching the house siding is the conventional approach. If the house has more elaborate trim, or the dormers are particularly small, or if you want to add some visual interest, the gable and cheek walls can be finished and painted to match the trim. This makes the entire dormer a trim element.

M) Sill height
Visually, less is best. Holding the sill at least 2 in. off the roof keeps the sill above snow and ice and creates a vertical dam against blowing rain.

For more on dormers:
Four Steps to Flash a Dormer – Veteran remodeler Mike Guertin shows hot to flash a dormer with details that will keep water out.

Framing a Dramatic Dormer – If doghouse dormers or shed dormers aren’t dressy enough, A-dormers can add an exciting design note, and they’re easier to seal against the elements.

Raising an Eyebrow – Adding a gracefully curved eyebrow window to a roof takes precise planning, some unusual framing, and curved templates for roof sheathing. Here’s how to add this stylist detail of the late 19th century.

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If so, then now is a good time to consider what type of look that you want for your home. The first question that you need to ask is whether or not you would prefer your home to be covered with siding or stucco.

While the former has a very traditional look, the latter offers several benefits that will make any homeowner happy. It provides a more aesthetically pleasing look, it is easier to paint and repair. It offers more protection from exterior conditions.

The first reason that it is often better to choose a stucco exterior for your home is that it offers a very aesthetically pleasing look. Definitely can give your home a smooth looking exterior yet it also provides a bit of texture.

It is a departure from the traditional look of siding or brick. Aditional will offer a unique look that any homeowner would be thrilled to have for his or her home. Having this look will also help your home to maintain some of its retail value, and this is welcome news to any homeowner.

It Looks Great

It Is Easy to Repair

Another benefit that stucco has over siding or brick is that it is easy to repair. If it starts to crack or chip, it can be easily filled. Most cases without having any adverse effects on the look of your home’s exterior. Some times you may start to see cracks in siding or brick. Often these will require a much more involved repair job. It is also very easy to paint on. A paint sprayer is all you will need as there are no large grooves that need to be detailed by hand. Whereas this is surely the case when it comes to siding and brick.

It Keeps a Steady Temperature

Finally, stucco helps to maintain a steady temperature in your home as it acts as a type of insulation. Brick exteriors tend to transfer temperature quickly, and siding often leads to heat or cold escaping through your walls. This is unwelcome news in the extreme months as it can lead to increased discomfort from the heat or cold as well as increased utility costs.

All in all, stucco is an excellent choice for your home’s exterior. It offers all of the beauty that one could ask, it’s easy to repair, and it helps protect you from extreme outdoor temperatures. You will be glad that you had it installed in your home.

Sky Stucco Systems, will handle the process from the beginning to the end if this is something you are considering for your house. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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