Siding
* Siding is usually priced
per square 100 ft.
The price varies considerably, depending on your
geographic location and how long the construction
season is. The price of siding material in the
continental United States is pretty consistent
but the labor and freight charges may be quite
different.
EXTRAS
The following items are
charged as extras. Some Contractors may
automatically include them to be covered in the
cost.
*
Insulation can be done using
many different methods. Foam with foil backing,
usually sheets, it could be a a fan-fold which
usually covers about 100 sq ft. per fold. Some
Contractors use a foil backed fiber glass
blanket. There are many ways to insulate before
siding.
Insulation
is good to use as it smoothes out the surface to
be sided.
Insulation cuts noise, conserves energy, lowers
utility costs and helps make you more
comfortable.
*
Soffit (sometimes spelled
soffitt) is usually priced per
running foot and according to the width of
overhang (soffit). Obviously a 12 inch overhang
(soffit) will not cost as much as a 24 inch
overhang. When the Installer adds ventilation to
your soffit he will use a ventilated soffit
material.
*
Fascia may be covered
using a fascia panel or coil stock may be formed
by a metal brake and custom fitted (each piece).
*
Window & Door Facings are of course
extras and are usually priced according to the
size. Coil stock is used here, formed by the
metal brake and custom fitted.
*
"J" Blocks which are used to
mount fixtures such as lighting fixtures are
charged by the unit / size. Not all dealers use
these "blocks" as some dealers simply
mount the fixtures right on the siding. These
blocks are an added expense but add a nice custom
touch.
*
Porch Ceiling, Car Port
Ceilings and such are charged by the
square foot, there can be considerable waste
here.
*
Gutters & Downspouts are removed &
replaced (R & R) when fascia is installed.
R & R is charged by the linear ft.
*
Posts: Small (4"
and under) can be covered with coil stock but is
expensive and can be dented rather easily. I
usually prefer to leave those for painting.
* Large posts or columns can be covered
with the actual siding panel which covers the
walls of your house, it's a matter of taste. This
too is labor intensive.
* Vents such as "gable
end vents" may
be covered with coil stock or simply replaced
with attractive "vinyl vents" (which I
prefer).
* Dormers
are slow to cover, on the roof and are labor
intensive. Expect to pay a premium. They get
insulation, siding, facings, the window sill's
are covered, it's like siding a doll house!
* Window
Sills & Mulls are
covered with coil stock. The pieces are formed
with a metal brake and hand fitted.
* Rotted
Wood should be replaced
before siding is applied for many obvious
reasons.
* Extra
Labor: Many times extra
labor is required to prepare the house for
siding, expect to pay for it.
* Working
on ladders: It goes slow and
costs more when the installers work on ladders, a
little riskier too!
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Windows
* Custom
Built Windows: The usual and most common method
of pricing is "per united inch".
United Inch: Height
+ Width of the window opening. Not to be confused
with the "square inch" which is Height
x Width.
Simply add
the height & width and that is the size of
your custom window. An average bedroom window
will be about 84 united Inches. The average
bathroom window may be in the vicinity of 50
united inches.
Most Home Improvement
Dealers use custom built windows to exactly match
the opening. Therefore they don't have to
refinish sheetrock, siding, etc.
Presto! The window is built to exactly
fit the opening.
After a house has been built
and standing for years, the house
"settles" or "shifts", the
opening may no longer be square. Custom built
windows are the choice for remodeling and
retrofit.
* Prime Windows: Are
manufactured to standard sizes, such as; 2'
0" by 3' 0" ( 2 ft. wide by 3 feet high
). The window opening is built to standard sizes
in new construction, therefore most new
construction incorporate "prime
windows".
These are mass produced.
A prime window purchased at
the discount materials house probably will
not be in the same league
with the windows that Home Improvement
Contractors install.
* Many
factors determine the cost of a "Custom
Window" . . . .
A.
Above all: Quality of Materials &
Construction.
B. Features
such as "Tilting Sash" for easy
cleaning inside the home.
C.
Type of Glass used: "E Glass" "Sun
Glass" "Tinted" , ETC.
D.
Gas filled (insulated) windows are more efficient
and cost more. The gas actually slows down the
conduction and/or convection of heat transfer.
E.
Bells, Whistles & Locks are nice and add
cost. Of course I'm referring to added options
that are too numerous to mention, you be the
judge.
F. Usually
speaking, the wider the insulated width (dead air
space), the higher the cost (energy savings).
3/8" should not be as good or as much $$ as
3/4".
G.
There are many factors that when pointed out by
the Rep will make sense to you or it won't.
ALL WINDOWS ARE NOT EQUAL!
Do it right and you only do
it once.
Good windows keep you toasty
warm in the winter and cool as a cucumber in the
summer. Lowers those energy bills too!
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