Calgary Roofing Company

What Siding Material is the Best?

Siding is a huge part of your home’s exterior, as it keeps you and your family safe from the elements. But did you know that there are also many different types of materials? If not, now’s the perfect time to learn about them to make an informed decision when it comes time for your home improvement project. Learn what materials you can find for siding in Calgary here! 

Siding Material in Calgary

Types of Materials Used for Siding in Calgary

 

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is the most common type of exterior siding in the world. It’s lightweight and easy to install, which makes it one of the most affordable materials available. Vinyl is also very durable, so it will last a long time before needing any repairs or replacements. Vinyl comes in various colours to match your home’s style and personality. You can get vinyl in traditional wood grain patterns, like cedar shake or shingle, smooth surfaces that resemble stone (like marble), and even textured finishes like a brick.

 

Wood Siding

Wood siding is another popular choice for homeowners. It’s made from thin sheets of wood and can last for decades without needing major repairs. You can choose to paint or stain it to match the colour of your home or add some contrast to its appearance. It comes in many styles and colours, so you’ll surely find something that fits your taste!

Metal Siding

Metal siding is your best bet if you live in a hot and humid climate or a cold and dry climate. This material will be able to withstand harsh weather conditions easily. They are typically installed on homes that are exposed to high winds as well as strong rainfalls. In addition to being durable, metal siding adds beauty to any home since it comes in various colours and textures.

Brick Siding

Brick siding is another ideal choice for homeowners. It’s a classic look that is easy to maintain and looks great on homes with a colonial or modern style. It can be installed vertically, as you might see in an older home or horizontally, giving it an updated look.

Fibre Cement Siding

Fibre cement siding is a popular choice for exterior siding because it’s durable and low maintenance. It’s made of a mixture of calcium-based cement, sand and cellulose fibres bonded together with water. The material has a look and feel of wood but is more resistant to moisture. This material also works well in coastal areas where wind and salt are common problems, as it will not rot like wood or corrode like metal.

For the most part, vinyl siding remains a popular option compared to other types of siding materials. If you are looking for the most durable, lightweight, and affordable exterior siding, vinyl siding is your best bet. It’s an excellent option for homeowners with a limited budget who want to make their homes look attractive without spending too much. However, depending on your preferences and needs, any of these materials will do your home justice! 

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Siding Eavestrough Calgary

Signs You Need Siding Work Done

Siding can help transform your home’s look and protect it from weather, but this exterior covering can wear down over time and require replacement. If you’re wondering whether you need it replaced, consider these signs that indicate it’s time to call a Calgary siding contractor.

Signs to Call a Calgary Siding Contractor

Siding Calgary
Siding of a home.

Cracks & Gaps Are Appearing

Cracks can be dangerous, letting water into the insides of your walls, potentially causing damage to your home, health and belongings. As a rule of thumb, any cracks in the siding should be repaired within 90 days to prevent huge problems. If you live in a region prone to earthquakes or have older siding cracked over time, look for gaps between your siding and windows or doors.

Broken or Loose Trim

Trim, such as molding, is placed on the exterior of your home to add a decorative touch and help maintain the integrity of your home exterior. Broken trim should be replaced, especially if it’s not secured with nails, because it can allow water to accumulate underneath and cause damage. If you want to know whether the trim needs replacing or not, check for broken nails and gaps between the siding and trim. 

Peeling Paint

Siding and trim lose their ability to protect your home from weather and other toxins, like mold and mildew, and will start to decay as you see chipping paint. Peeling paint can also be a sign it is rotting or becoming brittle. If you see peeling paint on your siding, look for cracks, gaps or other damage in addition to replacing the colour. 

Cracked or Broken Windows & Doors.

Windows and doors are more than just openings for light and keeping the outside world outside. Hinges, window glass, frames and other parts should be in good condition to keep the opening secure and standing strong. If you notice cracks or gaps in your exterior doors or windows or broken pieces such as handles, it’s time to call a siding contractor to replace what needs replacing before it causes damage.

Siding Is Coming Off Your Home’s Frame

Though the siding might be in good condition, it will start to come away from your home because of weakness or rot. The siding might not just be peeling or falling off, but actually being torn or coming away from your home, which can have serious implications. You could experience broken windows and doors if the siding comes loose, water infiltration that further damages your home and health issues like mold exposure that can make you sick. 

Rotten Wood & Rot Stains

Siding and trim also deteriorate from the chemical compounds in wood that cause decay, including wood rot and mold. The only way to know whether your siding is decaying naturally or needs replacement is by checking the quality of your wood. If you have damaged siding because of rotting wood, it’s time to replace what needs replacing before the rest of your home is affected.

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone: 403-242-7868

Frozen Electrical Utility Meter

The Best Siding For Extreme Cold Weather

You have a lot of choices when it comes to choosing the siding material for your home. The list includes wood, aluminum, vinyl, and more. But it’s very important that you choose the right material if you live in a cold climate. Here are some of the best materials you can go with.

1.  Steel

Steel is one of the best materials for extremely cold climates. It will be resistant to warping, cracking, and swelling that other materials go through during the freeze-thaw cycle of winter. It also does not absorb moisture which is what tends to damage other siding materials over time.

With that said, it may not be your ideal choice as siding companies in Calgary will tell you that it’s one of the most expensive materials you can choose. But if you do want longevity and durability, it’s the perfect material.

2.  Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding  is another great choice. It is not as durable as steel but it is far more durable than other materials like wood, brick, and aluminum. Fiber cement is made out of clay, cement, and sand. It does not absorb moisture and will not split easily.

Plumber pushing a plunger drain into drain to unclog it

It is cheaper than steel but it still costs more than the other materials that are commonly used for siding. It’s a solid choice if you want to install siding that can deal with extremely cold weather and temperature fluctuations.

3.  Brick and Stone Siding

While brick and stone isn’t the most ideal material for cold weather conditions, it’s still a solid contender. The reason why is because it is still quite durable and provides great insulation for your home. It is also one of the more affordable siding options for dealing with extremely cold weather conditions.

People also tend to like brick and stone siding due to the beautiful designs that are available. They also appreciate the material’s durability. You do, however, have to be on top of checking for cracks and maintain the siding well. The winter season can do some damage to the material.

These are some of the best choices for siding material. If you’re looking for other options, talk to your local siding companies in Calgary. You can get a better idea of what’s available based on cost, durability, and weather-resistance.

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone: 403-242-7868

Eavestrough Calgary

The Cost to Install Eavestroughs in Calgary

There are many different types of eavestrough in Calgary, and each of them provides their own unique benefits. However, each of them will also cost money, and this is an essential consideration for you to make, as nobody wants to spend their money unnecessarily.

However, for you to get the ultimate value from your eavestroughs Calgary, you will first need to understand the relevant factors affecting the cost. These factors include the company, type of eavestrough, like Alpine Exteriors – Siding and Roofing and the total length of the eavestrough. For further information, you can read on below.

The Consideration Factors of Calgary Eavestroughs

The Company

One of the more major factors for your consideration, when it comes to eavestrough installation, is the company performing the work. For example, if you choose the cheapest “per linear foot” price, your prospective companies offer, you may think that you have saved a bunch of money as a savvy shopper. However, much like other products and services, cheaping out on the company will potentially lead to issues in the future.

As far as it concerns eavestrough installation, choosing the wrong company can lead to issues with the water not draining away from your house correctly or the eavestroughs falling off the roof prematurely. Naturally, you don’t want your eavestroughs ever to fall off, but poor shoring and fasteners can hasten this process. 

Type of Eavestrough 

Another way that your eavestrough installation cost will vary is through the type of eavestrough. Not all material is created equal, and finding the right balance of strength and affordability can be a challenge. Typically, vinyl and aluminum are considered the lower end of these factors. Conversely, wood and copper are much more expensive but provide extra durability and a better aesthetic value than the former. 

Total Length of Eavestrough

The total length of your eavestrough is perhaps the most obvious way in which the cost will differ. For instance, if you are planning only to perform a small repair, the price will not be that exorbitant. However, if you are entirely installing your eavestroughs, the cost will undoubtedly be more expensive.

The Cost of Calgary Eavestroughs

The cost of eavestroughs in Calgary, broadly speaking, varies from $3-$26 per linear foot. However, as mentioned above, you are probably looking at the lower end if you are installing vinyl, and at the higher end if you are using copper or wood. 

 

 

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone: 403-242-7868

eavestrough-calgary

The Best Type of Eavestroughs to Buy

When looking for eavestroughs in Calgary, there are many options available. Typically, you are selecting for material, and not size or shape, which is actually a boon. When you dig into the math of eavestroughs, you will quickly find that there is a substantial amount of calculations that need to occur. 

 

For instance, eavestroughs in Calgary cannot be placed level, and a common rule of thumb is a quarter-inch of decline for every 10 feet of eavestrough. Although, it gets more complicated still when it comes to the correct placement of anchors, the necessity of proper downspout allocation, and many more configurations that were perhaps unexpected for water movement around the roof of your home. 

 

Either way, there are good materials, based on your budget, available for your consideration:

 

Common Calgary Eavestrough Materials

If you are on a limited budget, there are typically only two options available for your eavestroughs in Calgary: vinyl and aluminum. Both have their pros and cons, but they share the overwhelming advantage of being cheaper than the alternatives. More on that later.

 

Aluminum eavestroughs are a great option because of their sturdiness and customization. Aluminum offers a strength that vinyl lacks, which means it is easier to go up and perform repairs or cleanings, with less risk of damaging the eavestrough. Furthermore, the customization aspect is related to the ease of painting each material, and aluminum is much better, surface-wise, for painting. 

eavestroughs in Calgary

However, you should not discount the virtues of vinyl eavestroughs either. Vinyl is lightweight, slightly cheaper than aluminum, and it is relatively easy to install. Yes, indeed, you can’t always get the perfect colour for your vinyl eavestroughs, but that doesn’t mean that the available options are unattractive in any way. 

 

Either way, both options present a good variety of options and choices for you to consider, and you are sure to find something that really stands out if you look hard enough. Although, you could consider the following options if your budget allows it, such as:

 

Uncommon Types of Calgary Eavestrough

Wood, copper, and galvanized steel are also available material options. However, you should note that copper is currently the most expensive material available. Yes, it will last for a long time, requires little maintenance, and is a beautiful addition to your home, but it is reserved for a particular class of luxury, typically.

 

Alternatively, galvanized steel is probably the most frugal option of these three materials, but it has a particular issue. This is the presence of rust, which will inevitably penetrate the thin, zinc layer that characterizes galvanized steel and cause the aesthetics to suffer. Plus, given enough time, the corrosion will eventually cause holes and structural issues in your eavestroughs, but you can avoid this with proper maintenance and care.

 

Finally, wood is the last option that people can consider when looking for Calgary eavestroughs. Wood is elegant, timeless, and classic, but it also features all of the familiar tropes people assume with traditional construction. That is to say that it will break down quicker, is very expensive to purchase and install, and has the least amount of malleability for placement onto the structure of your home. Super gorgeous, though, but usually, it is best for traditional homes with a large eavestrough budget.

 

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone: 403-242-7868

Torrential Summer Rain Storm Water Overflowing Roof Gutters

Why You Should Check Your Eavestrough After Winter & Before Summer

Most homes have eavestroughs in order to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on their roof. This system of water management offers a proper way for water to flow throughout the yard, and in some cases, can be modified or installed to repurpose the water to hydrate a garden area. 

Furthermore, Calgary eavestroughs are designed to stand up to heavy snowfall, and rains as well. This means that your roof, when properly installed, will direct the water to the eavestroughs and not hold the weight of it on the roof itself. This is great because roofs are typically not designed to be load-bearing structures, but rather as a protective system for the interior of your home or business. 

However, for all of the benefits of Calgary eavestroughs, there is still necessary maintenance that must be performed. This not only ensures that your roof and eavestroughs will function properly throughout the year, but it will also give you the opportunity to remove any dirt, leaves, or gunk that has accumulated in them. This prevents blockages and weight issues which further the performance, year over year.

When is the Best Time to Check your Eavesthroughs?

When checking your eavestroughs in Calgary, you must consider the best time of the year. The best time of year to do this is based on a variety of factors, but it is safe to say that if there has been heavy rain or snowfall season, it is a good time. This is because you will be checking at the time when they are most often being used, and it is a time critical enough that you do not want them to fail midseason.

Wooden house with rain gutter in winter

This is why checking your Calgary eavestroughs in Spring, before summer and after winter, is the best time. Not only will you be able to clean out whatever dirt and grime accumulated with the snow, but you will also be able to leave it for the remainder of the year as it will be clean for summer and fall. 

Yes, there is some logic to checking them in the autumn period, but this is also shortsighted. You can remove the fallen leaves that are common with the turn of the season, but it is likely more will accumulate during the fall season as they are just blowing around in earnest. Instead, waiting for the layers of winter snowfall to capture the leaves that are stuck means you clean not only the dirt and grime but leaves as well. 

Some people wish to clean their own Calgary eavestroughs, and if you have the skill and wherewithal for this task it can be an enjoyable experience. However, for the busiest among us, consulting a local eavestrough company can save time and effort better spent on other projects.

 

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone: 403-242-7868

Roofing Companies

How To Prepare Your Roof For Spring

 Spring is a typical time for homeowners to assess the needs their houses have after a long, cold winter. As a homeowner, you need to ensure your plumbing is properly working, your heating and cooling systems are in top shape and the structure of the house itself is not damaged. The roof of your home may experience the most harm from snow and ice, but the heavy winds and continued moisture in the spring may bring even great damage to a roof that has been abused during the previous months.

Perform a full roof inspection

 The easiest way to determine if your roof has been damaged is to perform a full inspection. You can walk around your home to search for loose shingles and any breaks or cracks. However, you won’t be able to see all damage from a street view. It is wise to call a roofing company for a roof health inspection. Roofing companies know how to reach the roof and safely search for damage without causing any additional harm. When looking for roofing companies in Calgary homeowners should call or email to learn how they perform inspections and what to expect from them. 

Roofing Companies Calgary

Repair any damages

 A roof that has been damaged over the winter can lead to serious internal harm in the spring. It isn’t just the external portion of the house that can be damaged. Problems with the roof can lead to internal issues, such as a leaking ceiling and damaged support. You should schedule repairs as soon as possible if you or your roofing company detects any damage. Making a small investment in your roof now will save you significant expense on future repairs.

Have gutters cleared and cleaned

 You may clean and clear your gutters yourself or you can hire someone to do this for you. Cleaning gutters may involve manually removing limbs, leaves or even torn shingles. You can use a standard garden hose to clean the gutters, but a power washer is a better choice. Many of the roofing companies Calgary has to offer include gutter cleaning as part of the service. This is a good option for any homeowner because a roofing company can also determine if the gutter needs to be repaired or replaced. Some may install gutter shields, which allows you to clean the gutters less often.

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone:  403-242-7868.

Eavestrough

Why You Should Check Your Eavestrough After Winter & Before Summer

 Making sure that your eavestrough is in good shape is vital for preventing water damage to your Calgary home. But how often should you check up on it to ensure there aren’t any problems? You should be checking them after the winter season and before the summer season starts. Here’s why.

 

Eavestrough calgary

The Winter Season Can Be Rough on Your Roof

 You want to check your eavestrough in Calgary after the winter because the weather conditions can be rough on your drainage system. They’ve been through the fluctuating temperatures, the buildup of ice, and potential damage due to continuous moisture. Depending on how old your eavestrough is and the material it’s made out of, you want to look for possible rusting.

 You have to realize that your roof has to deal with rainfall during the coming months. If there are any problems caused by the winter weather conditions, you want to deal with them right away. You want to avoid water leakage that can seep into the foundation and end up damaging parts of your roof and your home.

Making Plans for Repairs Before the Summer is Smart

 The other time to start checking your eavestrough in Calgary is right before the summer. First of all, you are getting everything fixed and ready for the next winter ahead of time. You won’t have to scramble to try to make repairs and replacements during the fall like everybody else.

 Second, the spring season is not as busy as the summer and fall. The summer and fall seasons are when all the homeowners scramble to get maintenance and repair work done for their eavestrough. You can easily meet with contractors and get all the necessary work done on your schedule. You won’t have to wait until contractors finish their work with other clients.

 The only issue that you may face with spring is the fact that the weather can fluctuate quite a bit. It can change from rainy to sunny throughout the week. That’s why you want to pay attention to the weather forecast and use it to schedule your appointment. And even if the weather does get volatile, it’s not difficult to suspend work until the conditions are right again.

 These are the reasons why you should check your eavestrough after winter and before the summer. You want to quickly identify problems to see how the winter affected your roof overall. You want to check again during the later parts of spring since it’s not as busy of a season for contractors.

Cleaning your eavestroughs is crucial to the safety of your home. If your home needs eavestrough repair, installation or maintenance, contact the professionals at Alpine Eavestrough. We’d love to hear from you.

Phone:  403-242-7868