Building A New Home – Exterior Components – Part 2

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Framing, Rough & Finish Carpentry – Still the heart and soul of home building, your builder’s framing crew and finish carpenters are critical to the quality of your final product. Plumbers, drywallers and their fellow tradespeople have no chance at superior quality if the framing is not square and plumb. Remember, there is no substitute for experience so when interviewing builders, ask about their carpenters’ experience.

Windows & Entrance Doors

Windows can make up a significant amount of exterior wall space and can affect a home visually from the inside looking out, as well as from the curb looking in. Visit window showrooms and home trade shows to completely understand the range of windows and options available. Compare materials, infiltration ratings and R-Factors when evaluating windows and doors. Test moving parts, ask about warranties and know who to contact if there is a problem.

Siding

Maintenance free always sounds appealing and aluminum, vinyl or brick siding offer the best alternatives if maintenance is a concern.  Aluminum and vinyl siding manufacturers offer a variety of patterns and thicknesses in pre-finished material, along with a good warranty. The biggest concern is proper installation. If not properly installed, expansion and contraction can cause unsightly problems in the future.  Wood and brick siding offer natural beauty but involve more expense. Compare your options and costs and decide which offers the best value for your building situation.

Next week – Part 3 – Roof, Gutters & Landscaping

Look for our series on Building a New Home every Wednesday.

For more go to http://www.crewcuttv.com/

mikebender