When you get the chance to do a home remodel, most of your attention is likely to be spent on the fun and interesting parts of the remodel, like the windows and the doors.  The reality is that the parts of the exterior remodel that need the most attention are also the least glamorous and may have very little attention paid to them when the remodel is finished; however, if you spend the extra time and money in these places, your home will stay protected for a long time.  Here are three places where you should spend extra time and money.

Gutters

Probably the least glamorous part of any home remodel, the gutters are one of the most important systems for your home.  The gutters collect water that runs off the roof and diverts that water away from weak areas near the eaves and around the corners.  A good gutter system also dumps water far enough away from the foundation of the home that water does not create a sinkhole and damage the landscaping or cause flooding issues in the basement.  You will want to make sure that the gutter system is designed correctly and that all stages of the gutters have been replaced with new tracks.  This is also a good time to consider a gutter guard to prevent small animals and other debris from blocking the water flow.

Roof

The roof is one of the largest areas of the home’s exterior, but it is something that is usually only noticed when something goes wrong. The roof is the most important safeguard that your home has from weather damage, and it must be given adequate care and attention from ACI Roofing.  During the remodel do not skimp on the price of your roofing materials.  You should use the best materials that you can afford, as these materials will be able to stand up to more extreme weather conditions and protect the roof and the interior of the home from damage that can occur when the roof fails.  In Pennsylvania you also need to be on the look out for mold resistant shingles, or else you could end up with a roof that has large black mold spots.

Frames

Though you will spend a lot of time finding the right windows and doors to go with your exterior remodel, the frames that those items go into are much more important.  A lot of the costs associated with heating and cooling a home come from conditioned air that leaks out of the home and into the world.  Keeping the doors and windows shut will reduce that leakage, but the frames still allow some air to go through.  During the exterior remodel, check to make sure that the windows and doors are framed correctly and that you cannot see daylight between the frame and the window or door.  Tight seals will keep the air that you want inside your home and keep the air that you are avoiding on the outside.

There are a lot of moving parts involved in a home exterior remodel.  During the process, make sure that the contractor keeps you updated and follow the progress of the remodel every day.  With your eyes open and the right priorities, you will be able to get a terrific exterior remodel that will look good for decades.

I am Karen Arnett, and I did a home exterior remodel last spring.  I wrote this article to talk about the things I learned from talking to my contractor and reading home improvement tips in magazines.  I hope others will have the same experience with the roofing Harrisburg PA companies that I had.  For roofing needs I recommend Abel And Son (www.abelandson.com) because they were so communicative and honest during the remodeling process.