Handy Exterior Remodeling Blog

Val Slajus
Owner / Author
Val Slajus

I founded VIS Exterior because I believed that my knowledge of the home improvement craft could help others transform their houses into the beautiful homes they deserve, and I work hard every day to make it happen. In this blog I want to share some of my knowledge with you, so that you could make informed decisions when planning your next exterior renovation.

Choosing Between Vertical and Horizontal Siding Installation: Which is Right for You?

Vertical siding house versus horizontal siding house

Argh – the decisions that have to be made when taking on a residing project! What material should it be made of – vinyl, wood or fiber cement? What size and shape should it be? And most important of all – what siding color do you choose? Now there is one more question to ask – do you choose vertical or horizontal siding?

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How to Choose the Best Color for Siding Replacement?

One of the first things homeowners think of when it comes time to replace their siding is color. There are definitely other aspects of a siding replacement project that are important, such as the type of siding and finding the right contractor to install it, but for homeowners looking for a specific aesthetic or to blend in with the surrounding homes or to stand out, color is the focal point.

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James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide: Which Is The Best Siding For Your House?

small hail damage repair project

At VIS Exterior, we get a lot of questions from customers about which type of siding they should have installed on their homes. The answer from us is always James Hardie or LP SmartSide siding. Why, you might ask?

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Top 8 Causes of Siding Problems and How to Avoid Them

Algae on vinyl siding

One of the most important elements protecting everything within your home is the siding. Sure, it’s not the most exciting home renovation project to think about, but it’s vitally important, especially considering siding has a life span that will vary depending on what it has been through.

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What’s the Best Time of Year for a Siding Installation?

House siding with purple flower vine in blue window shutter

Homeowners spend a pretty penny on the interior of their homes. From redecorating to renovating entire rooms, much thought is put into what goes on inside our homes. What about the exterior? Is it time for a facelift to gain more curb appeal? And if so, when is the best time of year for installing new siding?

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Five Things you Need to Know Before Hiring a Siding Contractor

 Licensed local siding contractor

With all the horror stories about construction projects that go wrong because something the contractor did, it’s no wonder that homeowners become so stressed out when it comes time to bring in a contractor to do the job right, on time and for a fair price.

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Create the Home you’ve Always Wanted with James Hardie Products

 House exterior photo with james hardie siding in Northbrook

We’ve all got our ideas about what a “perfect” home is. Even people who are seemingly cut from the same clothe will have wildly different designs for their new home or a home remodel. Fortunately, James Hardie products come in a variety of styles, colors and patterns, giving homeowners the ability to bring quality products into their designs.

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Can Vinyl Siding Be Painted? (Pros & Cons of Painting vs. Replacing the Siding)

Vinyl siding house

As proud homeowners, we do everything we can to keep our property as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Unfortunately, our vinyl siding will fade after years of exposure to the elements. At this point we’re faced with a situation: do we replace the siding or should we paint it?

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Green Home Improvements for Earth Day

Young plant in the morning light on nature background

Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, is a movement that began in 1970 and has continued to be an important calendar date going on five decades. Though the subject of climate change and “going green” has proven politically divisive, most homeowners can agree that Earth Day is an excellent excuse to take a little time to make environmental improvement in and around the home. The upside, apart from doing something great for the environment, is that you can also improve your living situation.

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How To Clean Your Siding: Vinyl, Cedar, Wood, and Fiber Cement

Cedar lap siding installation and cleaning

From scorching summer sun and howling debris-filled winds to winter weather abuse, eventually your siding is going to require cleaning. And while modern siding is durable, whether it is vinyl, cedar, wood or fiber cement, nothing can stop it from becoming dingy, especially after years of exposure to the elements.

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Which Home Improvement Projects Have the Greatest Return on Investment?

James Hardie house after exterior remodeling

When most people think of home improvement projects, they focus on upgrades like granite countertops, updated bathrooms with walk-in showers and fancy tile, and improved living rooms with top-notch electronics. However, do these projects offer a really great return on investment? While these might catch the eye of potential buyers, the real value is in projects involving roofing, siding, gutters, windows and doors.

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How to Spot Hail & Wind Damage on Your Roof and Siding (How Much Does a Repair Cost)

Siding and roofing contractors after hail damage

As a Midwesterner, you have seen your share of hailstorms, and so has your roof and siding. You might also have an idea of how to spot hail damage. Unfortunately, not all damage can be seen from the ground, or even on the roof if you don’t know what to look for. At VIS Exterior, we know how to spot hail damage on a roof and on siding, because it’s something we’ve been doing for two decades.

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Choosing the Best Siding For Your Home

High quality fiber cement siding project

Siding is among the most important features on a home’s exterior in terms of aesthetics and protection. However, there are a number of siding materials from which to choose, including vinyl, fiber cement and cedar. Which is best for your home? Let’s run through each of these siding types and find out what makes them unique.

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The Advantages of Installing New Vinyl Siding

House after new vinyl siding installation services

Replacing siding is one of the most impactful home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake. However, with so many choices of siding on the marketing today, and from so many vendors, the project can be intimidating and difficult to plan. However, a smart place to start is vinyl siding. It is among the most used siding materials, and there are many reason for that.

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