Siding - Tom Curren Companies

Cedar Shingles vs. Shakes vs. Clapboards – What’s The Difference?

smagpiong — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 23:51:54 +0000

When it comes to siding materials, cedar siding has always been a staple for homes in New England due to its durability, natural beauty, and resistance to pests and decay. It’s often used on traditional New England-style homes, as it complements the classic architecture and blends in well with the natural surroundings. The beauty of cedar siding lies in its natural warm hue that gracefully ages into a grey patina if left unfinished.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, cedar clapboard siding became so popular that it was known as “New England clapboard.” As it continued to grow in popularity, manufacturers began producing a variety of types of cedar siding– including cedar shingles and cedar shakes. Today, homeowners are turning to these types of cedar siding as an eco-friendly, long-lasting, natural alternative to vinyl and other siding materials. Many people assume the difference between cedar shakes vs shingles vs clapboard siding is just aesthetic, but the shape of each of these types of cedar siding directly impacts their performance and one may be better suited to your home’s needs.

What is the difference between cedar shingles and shakes?

When comparing cedar shingles vs cedar shakes, they both have the appearance of a ‘shingle,’ but one is much more polished than the other. Cedar shingles vs cedar shakes have different methods of production, different textures, and different thicknesses that ultimately impact the overall performance of these two types of cedar siding. In addition to the physical differences between cedar shingles vs shakes, they have different maintenance requirements that may change your opinion of which type of cedar siding best fits your needs.

Cedar Shingle Siding

Cedar shingles are thin, smooth pieces of cedar that are sawed in a mill to produce even, clean, uniform shingles. When installed, the shingles lay flat and evenly against the house, and offer a classic and timeless look that complements many architectural styles. One benefit of cedar shingles is that they perform better than cedar shakes in high wind conditions, due to their thinner and flatter nature – that’s why you’ll notice cedar shingles on homes in coastal areas like Cape Cod or Newport, RI!

Cedar Shake Siding

Whereas cedar shingles are milled by a machine, cedar shakes are hand-split from a cedar log, giving them an irregular shape and rugged appearance. The irregularity of the cut makes each shake unique and gives your home a three-dimensional appearance when they’re installed. Cedar shakes are thicker and more textured than shingles, which not only makes them more durable but also gives them a more rustic and natural look than the appearance of shingles. The thicker profile of shakes offers many benefits to homeowners – not only will they be less prone to warping or cupping, they also offer more protection from the elements and act as a better insulator for your home!

Cedar Clapboard Siding

Now that you know the difference between cedar shakes vs shingles, you might be wondering about cedar clapboards. Clapboard siding, also known as lap or bevel siding, is a type of wooden siding that consists of long, thin boards that are installed horizontally with each board overlapping the one below it. This overlapping design helps to provide protection from the elements and creates a distinctive, textured look. Clapboard siding is lightweight and easy to install, and offers an elegant look of simplicity to your home.

What is the major disadvantage of cedar shakes?

One major disadvantage of cedar shakes is that they require more maintenance than other types of cedar siding. Cedar shakes are thicker and have a rougher texture which can make them more susceptible to weathering and splitting over time. This means that they’ll require more frequent maintenance than shingles or clapboard siding. Additionally, cedar shakes are more difficult to install than other types of cedar siding, which can increase installation time – and therefore costs. Despite these disadvantages, homeowners who don’t mind undertaking a little maintenance will be rewarded with gorgeous natural siding for decades to come.

Hire A Professional Siding Installer

Your choice of siding will ultimately depend on the style of your home, your personal preferences, and your budget. No matter which option you choose – shingles, shakes, or clapboards – cedar siding provides natural beauty, durability, and value to your home! With proper maintenance, care, and installation, your cedar siding should last for the next 50 years. To discuss a siding repair or replacement project, please call our team 617-969-4900.

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The Best Siding Materials in New England

Brandt Greene — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 20:58:10 +0000

New England weather is known for being fairly unpredictable; so in a climate where your home will have to suffer through blizzards, hurricanes, and intense heat– your siding material matters. You need a siding material that can protect your home without breaking the bank, or breaking your back with upkeep! If you’re considering what types of siding are available for your re-siding project that fit your needs and your budget– here are a few great options to compare: vinyl, composite, fiber cement, and natural wood.

NATURAL WOOD / CEDAR SIDING

If you’ve been for a drive around New England then you’ve surely noticed some natural wood houses– especially in coastal areas like Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard. Cedar siding has been a staple for New England homes for decades, having first made its appearance in colonial times. The resurgence of shingle-style homes was due to more than the exterior materials used, it introduced the concept of organicism to home’s exteriors. Natural siding allows houses to blend into their environmental surroundings, embracing a natural look and style.

PROS of Cedar Siding

Excellent Insulator – As a low-density softwood, cedar siding is an excellent insulator and natural acoustic barrier, which can help save you money on energy bills.
Eco-Friendly – As a natural material, cedar siding is eco-friendly and has a lower carbon footprint than vinyl.
Increase the Value of your Home – Cedar siding can increase the value of your home, which will offset the expensive nature of cedar siding.
Long Lifespan – With good maintenance, wood siding can last up to one hundred years– far surpassing any other siding material.
Easy to Change – Cedar siding can be painted or stained, meaning that if you want to change the exterior look of your home, cedar siding makes it easy to do so!

CONS of Cedar Siding

- More Expensive – As a raw and natural material, cedar siding is more expensive than alternative siding options.
- Requires Maintenance – Cedar siding requires attention and regular maintenance: repainting, sealing, and staining should be done on a routine basis to maintain a clean and classic look. Unfortunately, this maintenance will add to the expensive nature of natural wood.

Woodpeckers – Natural wood attracts a variety of pests and animals, and some can damage your home’s exterior.

COMPOSITE SIDING

If you want the look of wood, without the headache of maintaining traditional wood siding, then composite siding may be the answer. Composite siding is a manufactured material that is made out of scrap wood that’s compressed and bonded together with resins. Traditional wood siding requires regular maintenance and is vulnerable to water damage, but composite siding can last 20-30 years, give you the look of wood, and has little-to-no regular maintenance requirements.

PROS of Composite Siding in New England

Less Expensive – For homeowners who want the look of wood without paying a higher installation price and for regular maintenance work, composite siding is a great option.

Variety of Options – As a manufactured material, composite siding is available in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes.

Good Insulator – Where fiber cement and vinyl fall short, composite siding is coated with a layer of thermal barrier that can insulate your house better– saving you money on your utility bills during the winter and summer months.

Sustainable – Composite siding utilizes recycled wood materials in the siding, meaning that no trees have to be forested to produce this siding.

CONS of Composite Siding in New England

Maintenance – Composite siding is susceptible to fading, so to ensure that it looks good for its full lifetime, it’s recommended that the paint is updated approximately every 10 years.
No Substitute for Real Wood – While composite mimics traditional wood siding very well, there is no replacement for the real deal– some homeowners find the look of composite to be unnatural.
Prone to Cracking – Composite siding uses resin to bind the wood materials together, but with continuous sunlight and bad weather, the resin is prone to cracking. A small crack in the finish can allow moisture to penetrate your siding, which can lead to damage and bigger problems if left untreated.

VINYL SIDING

Vinyl has been popular since the late 1960s when it became widely available to homeowners. Today, nearly one-third of all homes in the United States have a form of vinyl siding due to its low cost and low maintenance. It’s also available in a variety of styles and colors which makes it a great option for homeowners who don’t want to be limited in their design options. However, the saying ‘you get what you pay for rings true with vinyl siding– it’s low cost because it’s made out of plastic, which comes with its own disadvantages.

PROS of Vinyl Siding in New England

Inexpensive – Vinyl is considered the cheapest siding material
No Maintenance – As a plastic, vinyl siding has low to basically no maintenance requirements.
High ROI – On average, according to the Cost vs. Value Report, you should be able to recoup 69.8% of your vinyl siding installation investment when you sell your home.

CONS of Vinyl Siding in New England

- Short Lifespan – Despite being advertised as a high-quality siding, vinyl only has a lifetime of about 15 years.
- Prone to Breakage – Unfortunately, there are a variety of ways that your vinyl siding can be damaged over the years. The siding can split or break due to expansion during the hot summer months and contraction in the colder winter months. Due to being a thin plastic, it’s also not uncommon for vinyl siding to break from a rock being thrown by a lawnmower, or hail!

Harder to Repair – With vinyl siding, if a piece gets damaged then the whole plank has to be replaced.

Not Desirable to Home Buyers – Despite saving money upfront, many home buyers regard vinyl as an inferior product and are less likely to purchase a home with vinyl siding.
Not Environmentally Friendly – Vinyl siding leaves a big carbon footprint, and the manufacturing process is bad for the environment.
Bad Insulator – Vinyl siding is a bad insulator and requires additional insulation for your home if you don’t want to spend a ridiculous amount on gas this winter.

FIBER CEMENT SIDING

If you’re not familiar with Hardie board or fiber cement siding, it’s a super durable siding product from the James Hardie company that was released in the mid-1980s. So while it may be ‘newer’, it’s been tried and tested for decades! In the early 1990’s it became a staple for American homes because of its resilience to pretty much anything mother nature can throw at your home! It’s made out of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers which make a durable and attractive siding material that can protect your home. For a safe, and low-maintenance siding option, fiber cement siding is the way to go!

PROS of Hardie Fiber Cement Siding in New England

Maintenance Free – this house siding option is practically maintenance free, except for keeping it clean.
Extremely Durable – Resistant to rain, humidity, hail, hurricane-force winds, and UV rays, fiber cement siding is one of the most durable house siding options on the market.
Lower Insurance Premium – Hardie board is the only siding option that has been rated as fire-resistant, and installing it can actually lower your insurance premium.
Damage Resistant – Fiber cement siding doesn’t retain moisture, so the siding will never rot, swell, or warp like wood can. It also is resistant to pests– woodpeckers, termites, and other wood-loving bugs won’t bother with it.
Eco-Friendly – Fiber cement siding is approved for use in LEED-rated buildings– LEED Certification is a standard that recognizes buildings that are efficient, cost-effective, and better for occupants and the environment.
High ROI – According to the 2022 Cost vs. Value Report, New England homeowners will be able to recoup 70.2% of the cost of installing fiber cement siding. Making it a great investment for homeowners.
Long Lifetime – Hardie board siding has a lifespan of 50 years!

CONS of Hardie Fiber Cement Siding in New England

Expensive Installation – The upfront installation costs of Hardie board is higher than even wood installation because fiber cement siding takes longer to install.
Bad Insulator – Fiber cement siding is a worse insulator than vinyl, so unless you’re investing in additional insulation you’re going to be dishing out a lot of extra money for gas in the winter.

Which type of siding is best?

There is no clear answer to this question. Each material has its own significant downfalls and benefits that can affect homeowners in different ways. Whether you’re operating with a limited budget or looking for something that will last you years without much maintenance requirements there is a siding option that will best suit your home’s needs. Contact a Project Consultant at Tom Curren Companies today to discuss your project today!

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Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding

Brandt Greene — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 18:32:05 +0000

Fiber cement siding has become one of the most popular options for homeowners in New England. Its popularity largely depends on the many benefits that fiber-cement offers. From aesthetic appeal to low maintenance, fiber cement is a top choice for many homeowners who are interested in elevating the look and feel of their homes. Have you been contemplating using fiber cement in your next renovation? There are some things you should know.

Aesthetic Appeal

If you are looking for improved curb appeal, fiber cement siding is a great option. You can opt for pre-painted sidings, like James Hardie’sHardie’s ColorPlus® Technology variety, or have it painted following installation. The beauty of fiber cement siding can remain for a long time compared to other siding materials, such as vinyl. If you ever feel like jazzing up your siding color, it’s easy to repaint in the color of your choosing to give your home a whole new look. However, while being a strong alternative, fiber cement siding doesn’t quite match up to the traditional appeal of cedar siding when you take a closer look.

Fiber Cement Siding is Environmentally Friendly

Fiber cement siding is an option for environmentally conscious and values using green products in their home. Don’t expect fiber cement siding to deteriorate over time like vinyl siding usually does, nor will it add harmful carbon emissions. Since it has a long lifespan, less fiber cement siding impacts landfills than vinyl siding that doesn’t last as long.

That means less carbon footprint created by fiber cement siding.

Both Fire and Heat Resistant

One of the top benefits of fiber cement siding is that it is resistant to heat and fire. It boasts noncombustible ratings and is a class of its own when compared to vinyl sidings. Fiber cement siding can even stand up to the most intense heat, affecting the structure and strength of the siding.

Resistant to Insect

Insects are not a factor that impacts fiber cement siding in a way that compromises the material. Unlike older wood siding, that’s prone to damage by insects, like termites and carpenter ants, with time, insects cannot eat through fiber cement siding. That amounts to a safer siding and will remain unaffected by little critters.

Long-Lasting

If you are wondering about the lifespan of fiber cement siding, the average lifespan is 30 to 50 years with proper installation, which outlasts vinyl siding. Keep in mind that installation and maintenance impact the longevity of fiber cement siding. Proper installation and routine care are essential to extending the life of fiber cement siding. With it being a newer product, there are many poor installation jobs done all around the country. You won’t need to replace fiber cement siding as frequently as other options when done right.

Fiber cement siding is an exciting option but hasn’t shown the proven performance and longevity yet that we’ve seen from traditional siding materials.

Thinking about installing new siding for your home? Let us handle the job for you with beautiful cedar siding that has been proven in New England for generations. Contact Tom Curren Companies today for a quote.

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Benefits of Using Cedar Siding in New England

smagpiong — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 17:34:32 +0000

Cedar is popularly known for its use in siding the exterior of homes in New England. It’s known for its beauty and versatility coupled with its unmatched durability. Cedar siding is a low-density softwood making the shingles, shakes, and clapboards 100% natural. The natural and lustrous look that comes with cedar makes it a popular choice compared to fiber-cement or vinyl siding.

Cedar Siding Protects Your Home

One of the best things about cedar siding is that it naturally repels bugs and other pests with resins and oils, so it’s often used in places with the risk of termites. It also works as an effective insulator that will help keep heat and air from seeping out of your home. Therefore, you’ll have the added benefit of saving a bit of money on your energy bills.

Cedar Siding Has Natural Beauty

Cedar siding always delivers a timeless, natural elegance that blends quite well with the environment. It is characterized by attractive mellow tones and grainy texture. Cedar siding also becomes more beautiful with age; as it matures, the tones get deeper and more beautiful.

Cedar Siding is Versatile

Unlike other siding materials that come with a fixed reveal, cedar shingles can be laid out in multiple different ways. Cedar siding products also come in a variety of shapes, styles, and patterns that all blend in well. The three main types of cedar siding products are shingles, shakes, and clapboards – all of which have their own unique characteristics.

Cedar Siding Has Many Colors and Finishes

Another attractive feature of cedar siding is that you can choose from a wide array of finishes and colors. If you prefer the natural appearance of weathered wood, you can choose not to stain it. However, staining helps to protect and extend the life of your cedar siding. Whether you decide to leave your cedar siding looking natural or have us paint your siding afterward, the options are endless.

Cedar Siding is Eco-Friendly

Cedar siding products are typically more environmentally friendly, as most of the other materials utilized in siding are made of plastic and components that are hazardous to the environment. It has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help to extend the life of the wood.

Adding cedar siding to your home will add a charming appearance whether you leave it natural, or paint it afterward. It continues to be one of the most popular siding choices in New England because of the benefits discussed above. If you would like to learn more about our cedar siding process, please contact us today for a consultation.

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Can You Paint Azek?

Brandt Greene — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:26:07 +0000

For decks and trim, Azek is a material that’s becoming more popular for its durability and resistance. Azek is made from recycled materials and PVC so it isn’t prone to many of the issues that come with wood, like rot and insect damage. With the material becoming more popular for a number of applications throughout a home’s exterior, many homeowners wonder if they can paint Azek and what the process is like.

Why Paint Azek?

While Azek has a clean white look when it’s installed, its lack of texture can lead to dirt, pollen, and other smudges on your home. Even if you’re opting for white trim or decking, painting it will help give the appearance of real wood while reducing maintenance as well.

Sometimes contractors who are in a hurry will leave nail holes or imperfections with your trim or deck. Having it painting by a professional painter will ensure that Azek approved paint, filler, and caulking are used. This will help extend the life of an already long-lasting building material. You won’t have to worry about fading or chipping at all.

How to Paint Azek

If you decide on a lighter color to paint with, you’ve got more paint options because you don’t need a reflective option. With darker colors manufacturers recommend, special paint reflects sunlight rather than absorbing as dark colors typically do and heating up too much. With special paint and caulking needed for painting Azek, it’s recommended that you leave this to professionals. Painting the exterior of a home is not an easy task and takes experience to get the job done well. If done correctly, the paint will last longer on Azek without fading than it would on wood. Professional painters will help ensure that the paint cures correctly even in humid summers.

Can Azek Get Moldy?

The short answer to this question is yes. High humidity can lead to mold on the surface of Azek, the difference between wood and Azek through it that mold is only on the surface of Azek. So you can wash it away easily with pressure washing and all-purpose cleaners. In addition to high-quality, specialized paints from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams adding to the aesthetic of your home they also add protection from dust, dirt, pollen & more.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Azek is an excellent material for decks, trim, and more around your home’s exterior. It helps reduce the maintenance you have to do around the Spring. That’s why it’s becoming one of the most popular building materials around the country.

Contact Tom Curren Companies today for help with painting, decking, siding, and more. Our expert team can help make your home beautiful.

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The Best Siding for Your Massachusetts Home

Brandt Greene — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 18:47:22 +0000

Massachusetts has some of the most beautiful and historic homes in the country. Owning a home in Massachusetts means you get to be part of that history and enjoy the beautiful state all at the same time! Massachusetts sees harsh weather and varying temperatures throughout the year, so having great siding on your home is essential. Siding helps to protect against weather, maintain internal temperature of the home, keeps pests out, and more. If you’re not sure where to start or what type of siding is the best fit for your Massachusetts home, we’re happy to help!

Classic Clapboards

Clapboards scream New England and fit perfectly with the architectural design of many homes in the area. Paul Revere’s home even featured classic clapboard siding! Clapboards are made of wood and provide crisp, clean lines along the home’s exterior. Clapboard is great at withstanding harsh Massachusetts winters and look truly timeless. They do require regular maintenance to have a long lifespan, so choosing clapboards for your home is a commitment, but it’s all worthwhile when you see how great they look on the home!

Low-Maintenance Siding

If the maintenance involved in classic clapboards isn’t something you want to take on, you’re not alone. Low-maintenance siding options have continued to gain popularity in recent years. Composite siding products, like vinyl, are nice because they don’t need to be painted, stained, or sealed. The cost of installation is typically cheaper too. Composite siding doesn’t bring the same personality to a home that wood does, but it does come in almost any color you can imagine!

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber Cement siding is the best of both worlds for many homeowners. It has a fire-resistant surface that is much safer than wood siding or clapboards. It can be purchased in a variety of colors, but it can also be finished to look just like real wood siding! Your home will have the street appeal of wood siding with the convenience, safety, and low maintenance of a composite siding.

Look into the history of your home and speak with neighbors to learn more about the siding that was originally installed on the home. The architect that designed the home likely had a specific vision in mind, and the more you stick to that vision the better your home should look. To learn more about siding on your Massachusetts home, contact Tom Curren Companies today! Rather your current siding is in need of maintenance or you’re looking to invest in new siding, our team can help. We are proud to serve the residents of Massachusetts and help maintain the historic beauty of the area while bringing a modern vision to life!

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Exterior Painting, Siding Replacement, Window & Door Installation in Sudbury, MA

smagpiong — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:02:17 +0000

It’s common to have a running “wishlist” of projects you want to get done around the house. To save yourself time and money, why not do them all at once? Often times, our clients will come to us for one project and continue to add on more as they see the progress. For this Sudbury referral, that was just the case.

Initially, we went out to the house for exterior painting changing the home from an old dusty gray, to a fresh new light blue color. While inspecting the home on our first visit, we determined that there was rot that needed to be repaired before we started to paint. Our team removed ⅞’s of the existing siding and replaced it with CVG cedar and WRC and a new vapor barrier. On the remaining small area of siding that was still intact, we reset the nails, re-filled with proper caulking, sanded it down, and spot primed. Once the siding was prepped and primed, our team applied 2 coats of Sherwin Williams paint in a light blue Jubilee color. To put the finishing touches on the exterior, we removed, repainted, and rehung the existing shutters in a Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue, to contrast the newly painted siding.

Additionally, our clients wanted to replace all of the original windows on the house to boost curb appeal, and increase energy efficiency. As Pella Certified Contractors, our team recommended installing replacement Pella Architect Series double-hung windows, new standard, and sliding doors, as well as a bay and bow window with unique diamond grills. The diamond grills are truly the standout feature on the house, as they highlight the original colonial character of the home. For the interior of the windows, our team was able to utilize the many colors and options that Pella offers for the interior finish – matching the windows to existing paint & stain colors.

Along with the visual enhancements to the siding and windows, our team also made a few structural changes that helped increase our clients’ quality of life at home. We replaced four stairs off of the back door with a 4’ x 3’ landing and 5-5 ½” shallow granite steps. Adjacent to these steps was an existing walkout patio off the new Pella sliding door in the back. Our team added one additional granite step leading from the patio to the ground level, where there was previously a slanted sunken brick step. By adding shallow granite steps in both of these places, we were able to give the homeowners peace of mind knowing their steps are sturdy, and will be reliable through all of the New England elements.Archit

Multi-component projects always have the most amazing results, and keep our clients happy for years to come. There is no project too big or small for the TCC Team to take on – give us a call to schedule an estimate today 617-969-4900.

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Why Tom Curren Companies Won’t Power Wash Your Home

tomcurren-admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 16:03:51 +0000

Power washing introduces one of the biggest pain points for customers to consider when trying to make a change to their home: the cost. While some companies may sell you a seemingly reasonable price, the potential for damage during the process and its associated price tags are often hidden from the consumer at first glance. Directing water at such an intense speed and pressure at the outside of your home may not only reach the outside, but also spread to create damage within the home’s walls.

For homes with wooden frames or any wooden exterior features, such as shingles or clapboards, water can sometimes gain access inside the home by making its way underneath the siding and moving into the walls, insulation, and more. This unwanted water can then become trapped inside of these narrow, unseen spaces around your home- causing damage from within. Homes built with brick and mortar can also fall victim to similar water-caused deterioration, as the excessive moisture can make the home’s structure soften. Areas with loose paint are especially vulnerable to harm, as harsh power washing can remove these sections of paint and allow the water to make contact with the wood underneath.

These potential hazards often come with hefty consequences. According to a study from HomeAdvisor, trim repair costs for your home can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,684 (depending on how extensive the damage may be) on top of what you have already paid for your power wash. In addition, DIY Network warns that clapboard siding ranges from $5 to $8 per square foot, with the average two-story house spending between $14,000 and $23,000 to install an entire exterior.

Power washing your home can also cause loose lead paint chips to be embedded into your lawn. For many older homes, lead paint is an unfortunate reality when attempting to make any changes, both on the interior and exterior of the residence. Removing any paint from the home with high-pressure water can lead to these dangerous chips being scattered around your home, near children and pets alike. Tom Curren Companies makes sure that all of our crews are EPA Certified, so that they know how to safely service, remove, and/or dispose of any lead paint in your home before even entering it.

Though at first power washing can seem like an easy option to brighten the exterior of your home, this “wash” is only creating a false sense of clean for the consumer. Without hand-scrubbing the surface as our crews do, mold and mildew are often left behind. Meaning that if you paint over this newly “clean” home, you are giving mold and mildew the opportunity to grow through your fresh coat of paint- making you strip the paint down to the bare wood in order to remove the issue that was there all along. This often leaves customers with additional, unwanted costs thanks to poor prep work on the vendor’s part. At Tom Curren Companies, our crews will scrub your home by hand with bleach and Jomax, and we will be prepared for whatever we find across the exterior of your home.

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Carpentry Inspections: An Investment Instead of an Estimate

tomcurren-admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 21:03:41 +0000

At Tom Curren Companies, we believe customers benefit from the knowledge that carpentry inspections provide through additional information that simple estimates cannot uncover. These carpentry inspections do carry a fee, as they not only tell the customer what the cost of the work is but also include our employees performing a comprehensive service in the process.

Estimators are generally only able to provide a price based on what they can see from the surface of the job. The estimates generated from these appointments are not based on any in-depth studying, such as climbing on ladders to get a better look or even inspecting and probing the wood itself. These and other processes performed during our inspections are what we use as a basis for the flat fee that our carpentry inspections require. So while a face value estimate may be applicable for many paint and remodeling jobs, the underlying issues often associated with carpentry projects can greatly benefit from this closer look at your home.

When clients book a carpentry inspection with Tom Curren Companies, they are able to meet with a carpenter that has their CLS (Construction Supervisor License) to perform their inspection. This carpenter will look beyond the specific problems that brought them to the appointment, including walking around the home, inspecting areas that they consider suspicious for structural integrity, and climbing ladders when needed. Free estimates do not include this additional work and careful scrutiny.

As opposed to a free estimate performed by one of our non-CSL carpenters, these inspections are aimed to prevent potentially slapping a quick fix on top of problems that could result in long-term damage. This in-depth look from the beginning of the job with a CSL carpenter, though incurring a small fee, may save clients from situations like unseen wet, rotted wood that could lead to insect infestations later on. And, if unforeseen carpentry problems are combined with other aspects of the house like paint, customers could paint their entire home’s exterior only to find that the paint will not stick – creating a much greater cost in the long run for both painting and carpentry.

In order to save our customers both time and money when reviewing more extensive and/or complicated carpentry work, Tom Curren Companies stands behind our carpentry inspection and its flat fee over free estimates in order to get the full scope of the work from the very start of your project.

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Cedar Shingles

tomcurren-admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 16:32:23 +0000

Historically, red cedar has been the premier choice for shingles in the Northeast—a durable, high-quality option for Shingle-style homes. Red cedar comes to us mainly from the Pacific Northwest, growing across a range that spans from southeastern Alaska and California to the Rocky Mountains and Montana. It’s a tough, tight-grained wood that weathers well and can take a good deal of abuse from the coastal elements. As far as exterior shingles go, you’d be hard-pressed to find an option more resistant to moisture, decay, and insect damage than red cedar. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Resources (the USDA) describes the industrial uses of red cedar this way: “The wood of western red cedar is primarily used in roofing for shingles and shakes, because of its attractive appearance, durability, lightness, and superior insulation qualities.”

The one mixed blessing with red cedar is something called tannin—an organic extractive that acts as a natural stain. This wood is practically saturated with tannin. The downside of that is this: according to the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau, “extractive bleeding (stains) on the surface of Western Red Cedar occur when extractives are dissolved and leached from the Western Red Cedar by water.” Basically, that means that moisture ends up leaving dark red discoloration on your shingles over time.

As for pre-primed red cedar shingles–well, they’re exactly what they sound like: red cedar shingles that have been given an extra protective coating. That coating supplements and enhances the natural resilience of red cedar, intensifying the best qualities of the wood. Cupping or curling, for instance, is a common problem with shingles. Pre-primed red cedar shingles, however, have a minimal likelihood of cupping from excessive heat. They’re also more resistant to the extractive bleeding we discussed earlier, so they keep their aesthetic beauty much longer than their unprimed kin.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions about roofing or about pre-primed red cedar shingles in particular. Our experts are always here to help.

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