Minnesota Insurance Repair

Minnesota winters can be brutal to a home. Hail combined with wind can batter the roof and siding on your home, taking out large chunks and leaving holes in the protective layers of your home. Homeowners insurance can help you pay for repairs, but dealing with insurance companies to work out these repairs can often be complicated.

Total Home Exteriors can work with your insurance company to make sure everything is taken care of. We'll meet with the insurance adjuster and walk you through the entire process.

Call 612-388-7795 and ask about our insurance repair service.

What Are Soffits, Exactly?

Total Home Exteriors lists "Soffits" as one of our services, but do you know what soffits are?

A soffit is the flat underside of a roof that extends out past the length and width of a house, and hangs over a few inches or feet.

In this image, the lighting you see is attached to the soffit.

We're able to install these soffits if they aren't present, or replace your current soffits if they're damaged or worn. Give us a call at 612-388-7795 and ask us about our soffit installation services.

What New Siding Can Do For Your Home

Siding is not only a way to make the exterior of your home look nice -- it also helps insulate your home, keeping your home at your desired temperature without the outside temperature interfering. If you're noticing that your heating or air conditioning bills are getting a bit too expensive for your taste, your home may not be well insulated enough.

Total Home Exteriors can help you pick out brand new siding for your home, and our extremely experienced installers can install the siding, leaving no mess behind. By wrapping your home in a new siding installation, you'll save on your utility bills, and your house will look brand new in the process.

Call Total Home Exteriors today at 612-388-7795, or complete our form to schedule a free siding estimate.

Install New Windows to Lower Heating or Cooling Bills

Is your heating bill a little higher than it should be in the winter? Do you have to constantly run the A/C in the summer because your home won't stay cool? If so, your home might not be as well-sealed as it should be, and your windows might be at fault.

Total Home Exteriors specializes in installing new windows, and can add new energy-efficient windows to your home to help keep the warm or cold air in during the appropriate season. You might also be eligible to receive energy tax credits when you opt to install energy-efficient windows in your home.

Click here to fill out our free estimate form, or give us a call at 612-388-7795 to begin the process toward installing new, beautiful, energy-efficient windows in your home.

Ice Dams: Your Roof's Worst Enemy

When snow that has accumulated on your roof melts due to warm air coming from the inside of your home, it doesn't get very far. It actually freezes pretty quickly again, but not before becoming what is called an ice dam.   These build up near cold spots on your roof and can collect melted water. Given enough time, the water can make its way into your home, causing a leak.

How can you prevent an ice dam from forming on your roof? The easiest thing to do is to seal any warm air leaks that might be coming from your attic. Also, make sure your insulation is adequate. If sections are starting to fail you, have them replaced. Lastly, before the snow even gets a chance to arrive, clear out your gutters. Gutters full of leaves and other debris can actually give ice dams a place to form.

If you need your roof or gutters checked out before the tough winter months take hold, give Total Home Exteriors a call and schedule a free estimate. The phone number is 612-388-7795.

Protecting Your Roof in the Winter

Syracuse.com, the official website of the Syracuse Post Standard, published an article about how the every day Joe or Jane can take steps to protect his or her roof from the winter elements. Of course, you shouldn't  consider doing anything remotely dangerous. If something on your roof seems awry and you can't safely fix it yourself, call a professional (such as the folks at Total Home Exteriors). However, there are a few things you can do without climbing onto the roof.

For instance, keeping your attic cold can help quite a bit. This prevents snow on your roof from melting too quickly, which in turn keeps harmful ice from forming. Another thing you can do is pull snow and ice off your roof using a long rake. If your gutters are filling up with ice and debris, use a hammer and chisel to break the ice apart. Again, be careful, and call a professional if you feel you're putting yourself at risk.

Home Siding Tips

The siding on your home serves a double purpose: 1. it protects your home from damage and 2. gives your home’s exterior a bit of style. Your home siding should say something, but also protect against the weather, and the casual baseball. When you need to fix or remove your current exterior siding, it’s important to determine what exactly you want from your siding.

Kinds

There are eight main categories: brick or stone; wood or cedar shakes; vinyl or aluminum; Masonite or concrete; stucco; artificial brick or stone; clap board; or steel or vinyl coatings. There are different costs and benefits to each. If you’re finding it burdensome deciding which to go with, take a look at what the rest of the neighborhood has.

Benefits

Don’t want to spend a ton of time cleaning your siding? Then brick, stone and concrete are options to consider. Want something incapable of rotting? Consider cedar shakes, even though it needs to be frequently pressure washed and stained. Don’t want to paint? Then avoid Masonite and clap board. Unsure? Figure out which types works best in your climate.

Longevity

Siding isn’t the cheapest thing in the world, so whatever choice you pick needs to last you for a long time. Ask the siding contractor what kind of warranties and protection plans they offer, should it need repaired or replaced.

When you need siding in Andover MN, get in touch with Total Home Exteriors by visiting www.TotalHomeExt.com. 

Siding FAQ

Here are some of the more common questions we get asked about siding:

Which exterior siding is best?

Vinyl siding is the most popular, due to its features and benefits. This siding type being preferred has led it to retain most of the installation costs.

My home is partially brick and wood. Can I still put up vinyl siding?

Yup! Because of its versatile nature, you can install vinyl siding on just about exterior material.

Which season is best to install siding?

You can install siding in any season, so there isn’t really one “best” season. Whatever the time of year, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits – appearance, durability and low maintenance – of your new siding.

Can’t I just save the money and repaint my home?

Yes, if you’re planning to sell your home in a year’s time. If not, then you’ll see more savings with new siding. If you choose to repaint, then expect to do it every three to five years, if you want maximum protection and beauty.

What is crown molding?

Crown molding is an architectural feature that dresses up your home. It’s mounted on the board under the eases and gables, and can be in a different color from your siding.

Andover MN siding contractor Total Home Exteriors is here to help with all your siding needs. Get in touch with us today by visiting www.TotalHomeExt.com. 

Roofing Facts

Thinking about getting a new roof? Here are some roofing facts to consider:

• Structure and installation issues are almost always related to the lack of blueprints or proper planning.
• You should get in the habit of constantly monitoring your roof’s condition. Check it in the spring or summer to see if any problems occurred during the colder months.
• Hail damage issues should be repaired instantly.
• The cost of roof repairs can be minimized by regular inspections, debris clearing, parapet checking and membrane inspections.
• Roofing repairs should be done only by a professional roofing contractor.

Speaking of roofing contractors, if you’re looking for an Andover MN roofing contractor, then you’ll want to get in touch with Total Home Exteriors by visiting www.TotalHomeExt.com. 

Roofing FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions we get about our roofing services:

How do I know if I need a new roof?

You should have your roofing contractor perform regular maintenance, and keep an eye on:

• 20-25 years old
• Excessive cracking, curling and blistering shingles
• Torn, damaged or missing shingles
• Leaks in many places

What are the common types of roofing?

Asphalt shingles are the most popular type, followed by wood shingles or shakes. Tile and metal roofs are also very common.

What are the causes of typical roof problems?

The typical causes include:

• A lack of maintenance
• Extreme climate and weather
• Wrong roof design
• Flashing problems

Looking for an Andover MN roofing contractor? Contact Total Home Exteriors by visiting www.TotalHomeExt.com.