Two men applying green paneling to a house
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Uncategorized • • • • 0 Comments

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Siding?

No matter the quality of siding that your home boasts, there will likely still come a time when you will need to replace it. This can be the perfect opportunity to change the outward appearance of your house and perhaps even personalize it to your tastes.

 

However, as with any other renovation project, it’s important to have a handle on the financials and understand how much it will cost to replace your siding.

 

We break down how the type of materials you choose for your siding will impact the cost of your replacement.

 

Determining The Cost To Replace Siding

 

Vinyl Siding

 

Vinyl is one of the most popular siding options chosen by homeowners- and for good reason too! From a simply aesthetic standpoint, vinyl siding comes in numerous colours, allowing you to customize your home. From a more practical perspective, vinyl is dependable. Designed to withstand Canadian weather and any damage thrown at it, vinyl siding is durable. Additionally, it is flexible, allowing it to adjust to any foundational shifts instead of simply cracking.

 

In the world of siding, vinyl is arguably the most affordable option. The average price per square foot is typically around $6, but this number can go higher or lower depending on your choices.

 

James Hardie Siding

 

This particular option is a fibre cement material, made from a mix of cement, wood pulp, and silica. James Hardie siding has risen in popularity over the years due to its durability. Not only is it proven to hold up against hailstorms, but it is also fire and rot resistant. As well, you can customize their appearance. They are designed to replicate the look of wood, however, you can choose the aesthetic. Hardie board can reproduce any style, from planks to shingles, while also rocking practically any colour you’d like.

 

Two men applying green paneling to a house

 

Hardie board is more resilient than vinyl, which does mean the cost will be greater. On average, James Hardie siding costs 1.5 to 2 times more than vinyl. However, that initial investment will serve you longer down the line, reducing the likelihood of needing another siding replacement in your lifetime.

 

Engineered Wood Siding

 

A more cost-effective version of traditional wood siding, engineered wood is a mix of several different kinds of wood. Its design is to mimic the appearance of wood siding while being more reliable. Engineered wood is treated to protect against rot, moisture, and insects while also being sturdy enough to face off against Canadian winters.

 

The cost of engineered wood siding varies, depending on the type you select. Some can be competitively priced with vinyl siding, perhaps being a dollar or two more expensive per square foot. Others, however, can get quite costly, easily being $30 per square foot and having no problem going higher.

 

The cost to replace your siding will greatly depend on the materials you choose for your home. Don’t hesitate to contact a siding company in Calgary for a quote, allowing you to better plan your budget and feel confident moving forward.

 

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

Hands of worker fixing drain
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Blog • • • • 0 Comments

The Soffit and Fascia Installation Costs in Calgary

Soffits and fascias are essential elements of any home but are often overlooked by the homeowner. Many mistake the purpose of soffits and fascias to be primarily decorative and simply a finishing touch to the home’s look.

 

However, it’s important to recognize the signs that your soffit and fascia are in need of replacement in order to maintain the overall integrity of your house.

 

Below, we outline the role soffit and fascia play and how much replacement should cost.

 

Examining the Cost of Soffit and Fascia Installation

 

What are soffits and fascias?

 

Soffits are located on the bottom side of the overhang and are the band that connects your roof to your siding.

 

Fascias are more easily viewed, existing on the side of the overhang. While it does serve a practical purpose, it also offers a more finished look to the roof.

 

These elements, other than allowing your roofing to appear more polished, protect your roof and the interior of your home. They prevent water and pests, such as squirrels and bats, from getting into the house. They can also give you a way to disguise ventilation in the attic.

 

When should I be replacing the soffits and fascias on my home?

 

Just like any external element on your house, such as the siding or the roof shingles, the soffit and fascia are going to experience their fair share of wear and tear, thanks in part to Canadian weather. Upon seeing signs of damage or ageing, it would be best to contact a company specializing in eavestroughs sooner rather than later.

 

Such markers can include evidence of condensation or small animals, soft patches in the wood, and flaking paint.

 

 

 

The longer you leave your soffit and fascia to deteriorate, the more it will impact your home. Instead of simply replacing the area around your eavestroughs, you may have to worry about your siding or attic.

 

How much will installation cost?

 

There are several factors that are taken into consideration when estimating the cost for eavestrough installation in Calgary. 

 

One factor will be the materials you have chosen for your replacement. Traditionally, wood and aluminum have been most commonly used, but some homeowners are now opting for synthetic materials, such as vinyl, due to their durability.

 

A second factor will be the size of your home. Naturally, the larger your house, the more eavestrough coverage you will need. 

 

A third factor is the extent of damage to your soffit and fascia. If other parts of your home have been impacted, then the cost will be greater.

 

Generally, soffits typically cost $20 to $30 per linear foot to be installed, while fascias cost about $15 to $25 per linear foot.

 

This is an estimate, however. Contacting a company that specializes in eavestroughs would be the best route, as they can offer a more exact quote.

 

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

Front View of blue house with siding in the suburbs
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Uncategorized • • • 0 Comments

What is Hardie Board Made Of?

When it comes time for you to replace the siding on your house, one of your primary concerns is making the most of the replacement. It’s not often a homeowner wants to pay for siding installation more often than they need to, so choosing which materials will best weather the Calgary snows and rains is an important decision to make.

 

Hardie board has long been an attractive option for siding. But what exactly is it?

 

We take a look at the composition of Hardie board and its benefits below.

 

Understanding Hardie Board

 

What is Hardie Board Made Of?

 

James Hardie siding, created by James Hardie Building Products over 30 years ago, is made from a mix of cement, wood pulp, and silica. This creates a fibre cement that is more flexible and durable than most other sidings.

 

What are the Benefits of Hardie Board?

 

Fire Resistant

 

Thanks to the elements that make up Hardie board, this product may be the difference when a neighbouring fire encroaches your property.

 

Storm Resistant

 

Hardie board has the known ability to hold up against Alberta’s hailstorms. Its durability decreases the odds of you needing to replace your siding after a particularly nasty Calgary storm.

 

Side and real view of craftsman house

 

Appearance

 

Not only can you choose the colour of your Hardie board, but also the style. This product can be altered to mimic the siding option you’re interested in while also giving your home a unique wooden look.

 

Longevity

 

If Hardie board can stand up to fire and storms, it’s then safe to say that it’s able to last a good few decades. One of the most appealing features of Hardie board is that it’s long-lasting and relatively low-maintenance.

 

Are There Any Drawbacks to Hardie Board?

 

The only major downside to Hardie board is the cost. Hardie board is far heavier than the regular siding, so the labour costs will be greater when accounting for the speed at which the workers can reasonably go.

 

However, when you consider the amount of time that Hardie board will last on your home, you may find the initial cost a sound investment.

 

Contacting a siding company specializing in James Hardie siding is always a solid option when considering this siding style, as they will be able to offer advice more specific to your home.

 

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
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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 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

Gutter on Roof
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Uncategorized • • • • 0 Comments

Eavestrough Replacement Cost In Calgary

Has your eavestrough seen better days? If it’s time for a new eavestrough, you’ll want to do some research. There are a few key factors that will affect how much you’ll end up paying for your eavestrough.

 

The Cost of the Materials 

The first thing you want to look at is the material of the eavestrough. The common materials that homeowners usually go for are vinyl or aluminum. The reason why many homeowners go for these materials is that they get the job done on a small budget.

 

These materials have a lifespan of about 20 years. But if you want something that lasts a lot longer than that, you can go with copper. Eavestrough made with copper can last 60 or more years. The material you want to go with will depend on how long you plan on living in your home.

 

The Size of Your Home 

The second thing that will factor in is the size of your home. What is the total length that must be covered to cover the roof? On average, homeowners will spend anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 for eavestrough in Calgary.

 

The Design of the Eavestrough 

Finally, special eavestrough designs may factor into the price if you decide to opt for them. For example, there are eavestrough designs that prevent debris and leaves from getting in. There are also accessories that apply heat over your eavestrough.

 

This will help melt the snow and ice during the winter. You will not have to deal with ice dams that can potentially hurt somebody or lead to water trickling in under your roof.

Ladder Leaning Against House Roof Gutter

In general the cost of replacing eavestrough in Calgary will cost around $4 per foot for vinyl, $6 to $7 per foot for aluminum, and $30 to $35 per foot for copper.

 

Keep in mind that this is just the cost of the materials. You will also have to pay for the installation labour. There may also be additional costs for ripping out your current eavestrough so that the new one can be installed.

 

If you’re in need of a new eavestrough, you should also talk to different contractors to try to get the best rate possible. Just don’t forget that the company’s reputation and experience should be considered as well while you’re doing your research.

 

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

Green and Brown House of Stone, Cedar, Vinyl Siding
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Uncategorized • • • • 0 Comments

How To Install Vinyl Siding Around Windows

Vinyl siding can make your home safe and attractive. While siding is laid in rows up and down your home, some care must be taken around windows. When siding companies in Calgary install vinyl around windows, here is a general overview of their process.

 

Prepare the Area for Work

Before you install new vinyl around your windows, you should clear the area. If there is old siding, clear it away. Address any water or insulation issues at this time. By this point, you should have your siding, other supplies and tools in order to complete the project. If you are siding your whole house, pick vinyl that is in your budget. If you are patching an area around the window, then try to pick something that matches the rest of the home. Siding companies in Calgary can help.

Caulking window

Install Your J Molding

The tricky part about installing siding around windows is that there must be an extra layer of protection between the window and the rest of the siding. This is why you should use J molding. The J molding should be cut slightly longer than the window. You will need to cut notches in the molding to align with the corners of the window. When you install the molding, be sure to leave room for the natural expansion and contraction that comes with temperature changes.

 

Add Siding Around Molding Last

Once your J molding is secure, you will need to install the siding itself. For the best results, start under the window. Line up the siding with the J molding and create notches to guide you in the installation. The process is precise and complicated, which is why it is best to hire professional siding companies in Calgary to do the work for you.

 

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

Multicolored vinyl siding with simulated wood texture. Plastic wall covering for exterior decoration of house. Abstract background for your design
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Uncategorized • • • • 0 Comments

The Best Vinyl Siding on the Market

The path to finding the best vinyl siding on the market is not a straightforward one. Indeed, there are many top brands that compete on relatively equal footing for the title. Plus, the criteria for what constitutes “best” in terms of siding is varied and immeasurable. Therefore, you need not look for the best vinyl siding, but rather the top contenders.

 

Many siding companies in Calgary and elsewhere are proud of the materials they produce and stand behind their outstanding quality, but we will only look at three of them today. These companies are James Hardie, Alcoa and CertainTeed. Each one of these magnificent manufacturers provides something unique and valuable with their particular brand of siding, and they all deserve a portion of your attention.

 

Here Are Three Excellent Siding Companies, Calgary!

 

James Hardie

Our first siding company is James Hardie. They produce a fibre cement siding that mimics traditional vinyl siding’s look and feel, but with a more natural look. Plus, the material difference allows them to offer exceptional variety in colour, which is fantastic for people looking to find a specific colour.

 

However, James Hardie also provides other benefits. For example, the fibre cement is more durable than vinyl, making it easier to clean with pressure washing equipment and heavier-duty alternatives to handwashing. As well, many people celebrate the material as an excellent replacement for cedar boards because of the similarities in texture and colour.

 

Alcoa

Alcoa is a business with a very long history. They began in 1888 and continue to provide exceptional quality through stylish, colourful product offerings. However, it is the environmental considerations of this company that make them a contender for the best vinyl siding on the market.

 

Firstly, all of their products are recycled material, which dramatically reduces their environmental impact. Additionally, they engineer energy-efficiency into all of their siding materials. This method is a boon for the homeowner and builder alike. Overall, Alcoa’s classic architectural look makes them a healthy all-around choice for siding companies in Calgary. 

 

CertainTeed

The final company on our list is CertainTeed. They are well known for their unique shapes, such as their half round cedar shingling. Plus, they also have an environmentally-conscious manufacturing approach, which can be seen in their new solar roofing tiles and National Green Building Standards (NGBS) approval. 

 

However, the benefits do not end there for CertainTeed. They differentiate themselves from the competition with affordable pricing. Although that means you may end up getting what you pay for in some circumstances, they are a great choice for building contractors throughout the country.  

An African-American man on a ladder and fixing vinyl siding on a house

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

Maintenance on the roof
By Alpine Eavestrough Admin Uncategorized • • • • 0 Comments

How to Clean Your Eavestrough

Eavestroughs in Calgary are an essential part of home construction. They prevent the drainage of water and snowmelt around the perimeter of the building, which has cumulatively disastrous effects. However, there is a significant downside to this fantastic modern innovation.

Indeed, the downside of eavestroughs in Calgary is cleaning them. However, you don’t have to make the process more painful or unpleasant than necessary. Instead, consider using our guide below to make it simple, straightforward, and long-lasting. 

The first step in cleaning your Calgary eavestroughs is gathering the materials. For this project, you will need the following:

  • Bucket
  • Biodegradable bag
  • Ladder
  • Gloves
  • Spade/ scoop (optional)

The Calgary Eavestrough Cleaning Process

  1. Preparing Your Ladder

The most critical part of cleaning your eavestroughs is setting up your ladder safely. Many injuries occur each year because of improper ladder safety techniques. For instance, between 2016 to 2018, Alberta had an average of 5,907 falls to a lower level with resulting injuries.

Therefore, when preparing your ladder, keep a few key tips in mind. First, always tie off your ladder to a sturdy object on the building. Secondly, if you are using an A-frame ladder, ensure its full extension and the secondary supports are locked in place. Or, if you are using an extension ladder, ensure the sliding locks are in place. Additionally, for extension ladders, you must place the bottom of the ladder four metres out from the building for every one metre of vertical distance.

Man up ladder cleaning leafs out of gutter on house

  1. Cleaning Your Eavestroughs

Again, when cleaning your eavestroughs, remember the crucial importance of ladder safety. Gather the debris and detritus into your bucket, lined with your biodegradable bag. But, don’t overextend your reach past the confines of your ladder. Remember: 3 points of contact. This rule-of-thumb states that you should always have 3 limbs touching your ladder at any given time—for example, two legs and one arm. 

After you clean a section of all the debris, descend your ladder and set it up in a new position. Repeat this process until you have completed a circuit around your home. Also, pay extra attention to the downspout connections. As the main travel area, they are the most prone to blockage and the most important to keep clear.

  1. Disposing of the Waste

Finally, once you finish cleaning the eavestroughs around your home, you need to dispose of the waste. If you have been using a biodegradable bag, simply seal it and add it to your compost bin for regular collection. Otherwise, empty the organic waste into your compost and clean out your holding container. 

Clean Your Calgary Eavestroughs Today!

Now you know the method and steps necessary to get your eavestroughs looking great and functioning properly. However, if learning about this process has made you disinterested in actually performing the work, that is no problem. Give us a call, and our friendly, professional staff will make the visit and complete the work for you. 

 

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

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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 in Calgary, you will first need to understand the relevant factors affecting the cost. These factors include the company, type of eavestrough, 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
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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