What is Hardie board siding?

You may not even know when a house is covered in it because it so effortlessly creates the look of wood or vinyl siding. However, this material is in fact constructed of cement fibers. Cement board siding was invented over a century ago by James Hardie who wanted to develop an exterior product that could endure extreme climates while still retaining the beauty of wood siding. It was originally used in Australia, but over the years it has become common place in all regions of the world, especially in areas of intense weather.

Beautiful Protection
Hardie plank comes in many different colors and shades and closely resembles the look, texture, and grain of wood siding. However, unlike wood, Hardie board siding is impenetrable to any kind of climate-related damage or injury.

Weather: Due to its concrete fibers, Hardie plank is impervious to any external elements, such as rain, hail, wind, flying debris, and humidity. Not only will cement board siding not chip because of its strength, it doesn’t retain moisture either; therefore it never rots or swells.
Pests: This type of siding defends against most insects, such as termites, that can eat away at wood siding. This is especially helpful in southern climates where moist air and pests thrive all year long.
Fire Prevention: Because it is made of concrete fibers, Hardie board is even fire-resistant, protecting your home from any exterior threat.

Saves Time and Money
Hardie siding isn’t more or less expensive than other forms of siding and it requires almost no maintenance. Since cement board siding is so durable to pests and rot, repair is rarely needed and unlike other siding, Hardie plank will never deteriorate.

Painting: Hardie board siding is known to retain paint longer than wood. Because it is moisture-resistant, it never swells or rots so the paint never peels, chips or cracks. Since you don’t have to invest in future re-painting, this product not only saves you money in the long run, it also saves you time and energy.
Selection: If you want to select your own personal paint color, Hardie plank can come pre-primed for easy application. But it also comes in a variety of pre-painted colors from which to choose, allowing you to select the proper shade without lifting a finger.

Get It Right the First Time
When you select the type you want, it is best to leave the installation to the professionals. Hardie board requires a special technique. It’s a bit heavier and can be brittle if handled improperly. So when it comes to the nailing and hammering, allow the trained technicians to take care of it.

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The Attic Tent solves one of the most common problems in most homes: Un-insulated and leaky attic ladder stairs.

Stop losing presious energy.

What is the problem? Your attic door provides two ways for your home to lose valuable energy. First, it is basically a hole in the ceiling allowing air to pass through. Newer homes require the attic door to be sealed, but on older homes the attic staircase usually allows air to easily pass through. This is no different than leaving a window partially open. Secondly, most attic stairs are not insulated. This provides a channel for heat to easily pass through. It is essentially a “bald spot” in your attic floor insulation. This is known as Thermal Bypass. The Attic Tent is only intended to be use on staircases WITHIN the air conditioned living space (not needed for garages).

How does it Work?

The Attic Tent boths SEALS and INSULATES the Attic Stairs in ONE Step. The engineers at InsulSure solved the problem of attic stair air transfer/loss from the perspective of the homeowner. They designed a product that not only significantly reduces air loss, drastically lowering your energy bill, but also provides safe and easy zipper accessibility into your attic. It also keeps blown insulation up in the attic where it belongs, not on your floor, each time you open your attic stair door.

This Attic Tent will pay for itself through the energy saved.  Contact BriBuilt  to have a professional measure the opening.  Installation can be completed in about an hour, in most cases.

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New Website

Hey friends, bribuilt.com has been redesigned thanks to Trish and the fine people at Atomic Web Katz (see link at bottom of my website).  The site is more informational and easier to navigate.

Roofs, Hardie and Vinyl Siding, Doors, Windows, Patio Covers, Room Additions, and many other remodeling projects is what BriBuilt can help you with.

Check us out with the Better Business Bureau, and then contact us to talk about your project.

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$1500 Energy Star Tax Rebate

$1500 Energy Star Tax Rebate for ENERGY STAR rated projects through 2010…Get your Rebate before it ends!

While there are endless benefits to installing a new roof or vinyl windows one main benefit is the tax rebate of $1500.  The 2009 Stimulus Package provides substantial tax credits and tax rebates to homeowners who make energy efficient upgrades to their home, and has been extended through 2010!!!!

Please note, not all ENERGY STAR qualified products qualify for a tax credit. ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, without a tax credit.

ENERGY STAR products are not just good for your pocket book; they are good for the environment.

A question often asked:  What is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR is the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

The ENERGY STAR label was established to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy; and make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.

 Even if your project doesn’t fall within the time frame of this rebate, don’t delay any longer than you have to because savings will begin as soon as your project is complete.

Visit BriBuilt.com to find out more.

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Turbines vs. Ridge Vents vs. Power Vents

Trying to decide which attic ventilation is best?  That subject has sparked much debate these past few years; Now my “two cents”.

Before we get into the discussion I feel it is necessary to make clear how attic ventilation should work.  Attic vents are an integral part of managing air circulation in homes with undeveloped attic space. Designed as year-round vents, they mainly function by removing moisture and condensation in cooler months and reducing excess heat in the warmer months. Both of these factors can over time cause damage to interior wood and roofing materials. There are several different types of vents available, often required by residential building codes. They include soffit, ridge, gable and roof turbines.

Soffit Vents

• Soffit vents are located in the overhanging portion of a roof to allow airflow into and through an attic or any unvented space below the roof. Soffit vents are down-facing, screened vents designed to prevent rain, snow and insects from entering, while at the same time cooling the attic and promoting airflow to remove excess moisture. Insulation or other materials can sometimes cover these vents, usually unknowingly by a contractor, removing any value the vents provide.

Ridge Vents

• Ridge vents are very effective attic venting systems that run the entire span of the roof’s peak and are covered with shingles to blend in attractively. These vents offer significant benefit over other types of venting in that they are equally effective throughout the year, ventilate the entire space evenly and maximize the flow of air into the space. Screened against bugs, and positioned to avoid intrusion by the elements, their design at the top of the roof also eliminates the risk of accidental covering or blockage.

Gable Vents

• Gable vents are square, rectangle, triangular or round louvered openings into the attic, designed to stop snow, rain or strong winds while allowing efficient airflow into the space. Usually fitted just below the roof peak, they also have a backing of screened material to protect from infestation. Gable vents do offer some benefit, but are less efficient than other forms of attic vents, and mostly aid airflow for only a portion of the attic space.

Roof Turbines

• Turbine vents use outside wind to power the spinning vent and allow airflow into and out of the attic. These raised vents are often seen spinning at the top of neighborhood homes and are very efficient. The wind spins the turbine, which is linked to a fan blade that pulls hot air up and out the same vented turbine. These work best in association with other vent types to maximize the air intake from another type of vent to replace the stagnant and heated air.

Attic Fans

• Attic fans are often incorporated with other venting to make things more efficient. Fans are available with an attached thermostat that automatically turns on at a certain temperature to aid with venting through one of the common vent types. These fans need to be installed by a professional to make sure they are properly installed and safe, but they do help in increasing attic airflow.

Now my “two cents”; for the money and efficiency, I’ve found “Ridge Vents” to be the best.  Turbines work great but only allow air to escape from a small area.  Power Vents require electricity.  Ridge Vents allow the hot air to escape at any portion of the ridge and does not require payment to your electrical provider.

Visit bribuilt.com for more information.

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Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles

As reported by Sal Alfano of Remodeling Magazine, homes renovated with standing-seam metal roofing show a rate of 85.9% cost recouped in the national average with up to 95.5% for homes in the Eastern states, a full 1 and 6% resale value gain over homes roofed with asphalt. And with all the added safety and longevity associated with quality metal roofing matching installation job costs that reach only one half of that of cosmetic room remodeling averages or even one eighth of that of a master suite addition, you hardly deny the sense in upgrading.

Find the Average Metal Roof Value in Your Area:

The following table shows average values associated with a typical roof renovation of 30 squares of standing seam metal.

Market	Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped
National Average	$16,453	$14,141	85.9%
East-Coast States Average	17,962	17,152	95.5%
Midwest States Average	18,165	13,573	74.7%
Southern States Average	13,538	11,834	87.4%
Western States Average	16,906	14,661	86.7%

When it comes to metal roof pricing expect to pay more money upfront, but to save more money in the long run.

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Ways to Avoid Being Victims to Dishonest Contractors

I’m sure you have heard stories, or worse, been victims, of dishonest contractors that either did horrible work or ran off with the customer’s money never to be seen again.  As a contractor, I hear the stories all the time.  Sad thing is, dishonest contractors not only hurt the customer, but they also hurt the honest contractors.  These dishonest contractors are our direct competition, and much of our legitimately profitable business is lost to this type of person.

It’s time to protect yourself.  By following these few simple guidelines when selecting a contractor, you can be saving yourself a lot of headache and a lot of money.

Ensure the contractor is backed by the Better Business Bureau.

Verify the accreditation by going to the BBB website and type the name of the contractor or the name of the business and a report should follow.  If you cannot find any information, it sometimes helps to call.  Dishonest contractors will also claim to be licensed and insured.  While it may not be a requirement in your area, if a contractor claims to be licensed and insured and you find out he/she is not, what else is he/she lying about?

Ask for references.

A contractor that has been in business for a few years should have no problem giving you a list of references.  Don’t just ask for the list though, call them.  Start at the bottom of the list and work your way up.  I’ve often heard that contractors put their best clients first on the list.  I’m more interested in the contractor’s worst clients.  You want to be sure that even the contractor’s worst client was satisfied “eventually”.

Understand what you are getting.

Before agreeing to any work, require a written proposal which will describe ALL the work that is to be performed.  If there is additional work to be performed, even after the agreement, have the original proposal amended and all parties sign.  Also, be sure to keep your copy of the agreement.

Familiarize yourself with the terms.

Many proposals or contracts contain specific terms and conditions.  Payment terms may vary, but most will require payment in full upon completion of all work.  Reasonable down payments prior to start are not uncommon and may be expected.  However, do not completely pay for the work until you are certain the contractor is completely finished.
Don’t let price or warranty be your only guide.

Many homeowners have subscribed to the idea that if you obtain three bids, and they all appear to be roughly the same, the lower bid is the best choice.  This is simply not always true, especially if there is a large disparity between the prices.  Be extremely cautious of prices which are significantly lower than the others.  It can mean that a mistake has been made, or the contractor is planning on taking short cuts to complete the job.  In either event the homeowner will usually be the ultimate loser.

Similarly, be warned of contractors who offer their own unusually long warranties.  While it is reasonable to expect a two to five year warranty, some contractors will offer as much as ten or twenty years.  Many homeowners that have bought into this idea only come to find that the contractor has gone out of business long before the warranty expired.  Be reminded that workmanship warranties (as provided by contractors) are different from Manufacturer’s warranties (which can range anywhere from 15 to 50 years).

If you will follow these simple guidelines then you will be an informed and prepared homeowner when seeking out the right Contractor for you.

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