New exterior questions

guyfromMass

My new to me home (1969 Colonial) will soon need a completely new exterior (roof, gutters, replace rotten wood behind gutters, windows)

What I'm hoping for in addition to the roof is a complete tear off of the shingles (blown in insulation??) with vinyl siding and everthing wrapped, replacement windows.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to approach this in two stages ($$$). One stage per year (Spring 09 and spring 10).

Any and all suggestions about what I should be thinking in this approach would be appreciated. Not asking about what I should pay, just advice on an approach that will ensure it is done in the best way for my home.

Termite

I would do the siding and the windows at the same time for sure. The roof and gutters could be done earlier or later, depending on priority.

guyfromMass

Thanks
What are your thoughts about tearing off the shingles vs. going over it?

I've heard some type of board can be put right over the shingles and than wrap than siding. This concerns me for a couple of reasons. What if some of the shingles are rotten and wouldn't the trim of the house look recessed?

As you can tell I would really like to tear it off but I don't knoe SOP for a job like this.

Termite

It is always better to tear off the existing shingles...Wall or roof...Before installing new ones.

Tom Struble

It is always better to tear off the existing shingles...Wall or roof...Before installing new

thats my view also

fhivinylwindows

I agree with this. If you can't do both at the same time, do the windows first. Generally if your home has storm windows the siders will charge you to remove them, put metal trim over the exterior trim and then reinstall them. Then the window company will charge you to remove the storm windows and redo the metal trim/coil stock.

Look into the 0% loans for energy efficient home improvements (in MA) they should apply to your blown in insulation, windows and maybe the siding.

This is a good site for rebate info http://www.masssave.com/index.php

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guyfromMass

Thanks
I'm going for the tear off of the old shingles.
Now I need to decide about having insulation blown in or the 1/2 or 3/4 inch stuff that is put up before the vinyl. How much different is the R factor of these two methods.
What do you experts out there recommend between these two?

Tom Struble

a house built in 69 probebly has insulation in the walls already
i would remove the existing siding repace any bad sheathing
install 3/4 extruded foam then tyvek then your siding

guyfromMass

Thanks for all the reply's. It's been very helpful

guyfromMass

Once more to the well for your opinions.

I am going with certainteed cedar impressions straight edge perfection.

Do any installers out there have opinions (of course you do) on the triple 5 vs. the double 7.

Also Granite Grey vs. Sterling Grey. I know beauty is in the eye .... but I would appreciate any pearls you could toss my way.

Jer

The triple 5 and dbl. 7 look very similar to most people, but one thing you might cosider is that narrower panel lines tend to make a building look shorter and wider lines tend to make a building look taller.
We are only talking about a difference of 2 in. so on the average home it would make little difference.
I learned years ago not to coach anyone on color choice.
I once had a customer who wanted red siding with green trim.
When I realized she was serious I told her it was her choice of course but in my opinion it would look like a year round Christmas card.
She ended up going with green siding and white trim and when we were finished she seemed very happy with it but said that she still thought the red trim would have looked good. And the point is to her it might have and I talked her out of it!

One thing you should always do is make your color choice only after seeing a large piece of the material....the little sample in the fandex or sample case is fine for narrowing it down to two or three colors but a larger piece will give you a more accurate sense of the color. And look at it out doors and see how it looks in various light conditions.
And lastly dont forget that anything left in the sun light will eventually fade a little and more so the darker the original color.
Just my two cents worth, hope it helps.