carlsonexteriors

Mid Week Check-in 5/26/2022

May 26, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Nathan's crew is finishing up LP Smartside job — Nathan’s crew is finishing up LP Smartside job

Nathan is almost finished replacing the cedar siding on this local hotel with LP Smartside siding. He also fixed some loose soffit at an Apartment complex before it fell down.

Johnney has been stopping leaks where all roof lines meet the siding wall

Johnney has been working on house that was originally installed incorrectly where the roof line meets the siding. Then a second layer of shingles was put on, then caulk was installed instead of fixing it properly. Not anymore! Johnney removed siding, and as much shingles as needed to correct the flashing. He then installed 2 layers of shingles (to match the rest of the roofline) and re-installed old siding.

Jamel has been installing lots of new construction gutters

camel’s Crew has been installing many new construction seamless gutters.

Josh replaced some missing 3-tab shingles on an older roof

Josh installed some missing shingles on an older roof. He has been helping Dave with the rubber roof install.

Jayrden replaced some missing shingles and installed a temporary patch to stop a leak before roof is replced

Jayden has also been installing shingles where they were blown off. He also installed synthetic felt where a roof is leaking to temporarily stop the roof leak until we replace the roof in the next couple weeks,

Dave installed a rubber roof and replaced a rotted roof section on an apartment complex

Dave installed a rubber roof and replaced a rotted roofing section on an apartment complex

Joe finished up replacing siding on a shed, has started replacing siding on the main home, and teaching a newer member how to use a siding brake

Joe finished up a shed siding replacement and started on the main home. He has also been teaching a newer employee how to fabricate custom metal pieces.

Ricky replaced more windows this week! Looking good!

Mitchell installed windows into a garage, and installed 6 garage doors this week

Mitchell has installed windows into a windowless garage. He’s replaced a few dented panels and installed 6 garage doors this week.

Bryant's crew has placed the final pices on thier new construction home, then repalced some cracked siding — Bryant’s crew has placed the final pices on thier new construction home, then repalced some cracked siding

Bryant installed the final pieces on a siding install for a new construction home. He replaced some cracked siding on an apartment complex. Now he starts a new project!

Home Styles

May 23, 2022May 23, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Subdivisions are a great place to get color selections.

When homeowner replace the siding or are building new, they often find inspiration within a certain house style. This includes but isn’t limited to Craftsman Style, Modern Farmhouse, Modern/ Contemporary look, and Colonial. While the colors of the siding can help nail the look, the basic design of your home will be what places your home in a “defined category”. With that said, let’s focus on what you have the power to change to get you closer to your favorite style.

Craftsman Style

Craftsman style covers a wide array of sub styles. The term is used loosely but the following traits typically apply: tapered column, decorative gables, big overhangs, and details in the trim. If you want to make your home look more like a Craftsman home, give your columns a tapered look. Add decorative pieces like corbels, dentil, or brakes in along your trim work. Bring the attention to any gables you might have on your home through texture and color.

Pebblestone clay siding, wicker handsplit shakes, red gable accents, white trim in Normal il

Redwood red siding, wicker tan shakes, dark roof, and wooden garage doors in East Peoria il

dark siding with red gable accents craftsman style home and stone

two story house with green siding and dark brown shakes cream trim, cream gable accents

Modern Farmhouse

The Modern Farmhouse focuses on function, simplicity, and bringing the outdoors inside. White and black is the classic color choice for the Modern Farmhouse look. Bring rustic elements out as much as possible with a metal roof or wood in the garage doors, porch columns, or gable accents. If you find yourself replacing your siding and want the Modern Farmhouse look, look at wider siding panels. Most vinyls are available in 8″ only in white; which does work nicely with the Modern Farmhouse look. If you decide to go with a hardboard siding the widths have a bigger range and are available in almost any color your heart desires. Have lots of windows, the bigger the better. If you can’t have a big, sprawling porch make it as welcoming as possible. Carriage style garage doors in a wood look are also characteristic of a Modern Farmhouse look.

Stamped Carriage style cedar garage doors with madison style garage doors

White Board and batten, White siding, black soffit and fascia, black roof, black garage door

Modern or Contemporary Look

These looks are more about smoothness and flatness. If you are remodeling your house that usually means you can’t re-do the slope of your roof to be completely flat. You can replace your siding with big 4×8 sheets of siding to achieve an industrial look. These are available in most colors in LP Smartside or James Hardie Fiber cement. Replacing your windows with grid-less windows. Replace your garage door with a smooth door and have your windows vertically stacked to one side. Many homeowner like to bring in a wood siding section to contrast the industrial sections on the home.

James Hardie Siding panels and real cedar siding in Heyworth Il

Royal Weathered grey siding with Black trim in bloomington il

mastic deep Granite grey siding with black trim, real cedar siding, certainteed black roof in edwards il

two story ranch with dark grey siding, black trim, real cedar siding, black garage door, dark brown brick

two story apartments in two tones of grey siding

Colonial

Colonial homes are symmetrical and focus the attention to the entrance of the home. If you are wanting your home to look Colonial inspired, consider adding crown molding to the outside of your home or above your windows. Add shutters, lots of shutters.

Moulding is an easy accessory to add to any home - especially brick.

Red brick colonial home with new windows

LP Smartside siding in custom dark grey siding white white trim

Mid Week Check-in 5/18/2022

May 19, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Bryants-crew-is-almost-finished-with-this-new-construction-siding-job

Bryant’s crew is getting close to wrapping up this new construction siding job. We should have finished photos this time next week.

Nathan's crew is in the homestretch in finishing this LP SMartside siding replacement — Nathan’s crew is in the homestretch in finishing this LP SMartside siding replacement

Nathan’s crew has been removing cedar siding off this local hotel and installing LP Smartside in a custom color. They should be finished in around 1 week.

Joe’s crew has started a new siding replacement. All the old siding has been removed and the house wrap has been installed to keep the home dry from any leaks.

Mitchell has been hanging openers, weatherstripping, and new garage doors

Mitchell has been installing garage door openers (that connect to a mobile app) on new construction homes. Many times when he is installing garage doors the drywall has not been installed yet. He has to leave the openers off and return what that is completed.

Johnney has fixed up a lot of small storm damaged siding repairs

Johnney has been doing a lot of little siding repairs such as install missing fascia that was blown off, loose or cracked siding panels, and replacing garage door metal casings.

Brad’s crew has been working on repairing and replacing gutters, installing new construction gutters, and sealing up aggressive gutter leaks.

Dave installed a metal roof on a home. He’s has tackled lots of roofs leaks. This home in particular had a roof leak from flashing being installed incorrectly. Dave removed the old shingles, installed correct flashing, ice and water shield, new shingles, and a new pice of cedar trim. The same home was having leaking at the bottom of the valley. Dave removed shingles there, installed ice and water barrier, and new shingles to match.

Josh replaced some missing shingles and fixed a roof that had a whole from a tree falling through it

Josh was sent to fix a roof that was damaged from a tree falling through the roof. It took a while for the tree limb to be removed, which caused the wood to rot. He replaced the rotted wood, added ice and water barrier, synthetic felt, and new shingles.

Ricky replaced 9 windows on 2 seperate home. Some of the windows replaced are surrounded by brick, vinyl siding, and other aluminum siding.

Mid Week Check-in 5/11/2022

May 12, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

brads-crew-replaced-some-rotted-fascia-replaced-fascia-metal-and-installed-new-seamless-gutters

In-between new construction gutter installs, Brad’s crew replaced rotted fascia boards, installed new fascia metal, and ran new seamless gutters and downspouts.

Johnney has been doing multiple wind damaged soffit, fascia, and siding repairs. We recently had some high winds from a tornado watch and many homes have small repairs from the wind damage.

bryants-crew-siding-progess-on-a-deep-grantie-grey-siding-with-white-trim-and-black-roof

Bryant’s crew has been working on this new custom build with deep granite grey siding, white trim, moire black roof. They have about 1 week left on this home!

Nathan and his crew have continued to work on replacing tear siding on a local hotel with LP Smartside.

Charles is siding a new build with silver grey siding and white trim. He’s making some great headway..

Joe and his crew are working on replacing 8 windows on this home. Many of the old windows had small leaks that wound up rotting the wood around the window opening. Joe replaces the rotted wood, tyveks and seals each window properly.

Mitchell has replaced 5 doors in 3 days! WOW! In-between door install has has slipped in a few siding repairs.

josh-has-repalced-some-blown-off-shingles-and-insatlled-a-chimnay-cap

Josh has been helping other crews with larger projects for most of the week. He has performed some pipe boot installs, missing shingle repairs, and installed a chimney cap.

John J house wrapped a new construction home and stopped some metal roof leaks

John J has been waterproofing new construction homes and sealing up metal roof leaks this week.

National Home Improvement Month

May 10, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

May is National Home Improvement Month. As you look around your home for roof repairs, siding replacements or a new garage door, here is a brief rundown on what your priorities should be.

Identify Functional Needs

It’s worth putting money towards functional needs over any aesthetic changes. If you have been living with any small leaks, consider getting those fixed sooner rather than later. Rotted wood can be hiding underneath a leaking window or leaking door. The photos below are from a window replacement where older windows had a small leak for years. Over time the small leak caused a decent amount of hidden rotted wood.

Minimize Maintenance

As a homeowner, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the list of things you need to maintain yearly on your home. For exteriors that likely includes, cleaning your gutters, power washing your siding, check all caulking, wash/inspect windows, etc. It is worth evaluating products or services to minimize your (the homeowners) involvement. If you hate cleaning gutters and feel like it’s a waste of time, get pricing for leaf procreation. If you don’t know what you are looking for when you inspect your roofing, siding, windows, or gutters- hire a contractor to come inspect and provide an estimate for any minor repairs you might need. If birds love to nest in your siding vents, get a bird guard that matches the color of your siding.

Improve Curb Appeal

If you have no functional needs and are happy with your involvement level in home maintenance, its time to talk curb appeal! This is where you add your style and personality with colors and textures. A few easy ways to update are to add Gable accents, bright colors, or a new garage door. Gable accents can be some decorative trim boards or a real cedar accent. You can add bright colors by new shutters or painting your entry door. Many people don’t realize that a garage door can make up almost 30% of your home’s front. It is your main entrance to your home (if you have a connected garage). Updating the garage door even though “it still works” may be well worth the money!

Gable accents can be custom built out of cedar. They can be offset or be flush with your siding

A Look Into Our Work Week

May 5, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Mitchell has replaced a few dented garage door panels and installed 3 garage doors this week.

blown off shingle and damaged shingle and damaged drip edge replacement

Jayden has been helping Dave out with some larger projects but in-between he has performed some roof repairs – blown off shingle install, damaged shingle and drip edge replacement.

Low slope roof line installed properly against the siding wall

Dave has been working on some larger projects this week. This home in particular had a section of architectural shingles that should have been low slope rolled roofing. This was causing leaks inside the home. Dave and Jayden corrected this.

Rotted fascia board repair with new fascia, soffit, and gutter repair

Ricky worked a little bit this week before he left on vacation. This home had a rotted fascia board that was causing the gutter and soffit to fall down. Ricky replaced the rotted wood, installed new fascia, re-installed soffit, and hung new gutters and downspouts.

Johnney has been working on a lot of storm damage repairs to siding and fascia. He has also been fixing window leaks and siding leaks from improper waterproofing.

Josh also worked on a low slope roof that had architectural shingles where it should have had rolled roofing installed. He removed the shingles and installed the Flintlastic Low Slope roofing material; then properly tied it in tot he main roof. If you are unsure if your roof line should have rubber or Flintlastic – click here for more information.

Bryant wrapped up a New home just in time for it’s deadline. He started a new custom home with a lot of fabulous details.

Joe has been working on updating the look of this home with new cedar trim in Linen color.

Nathan and his crew have started a hotel siding replacement. After tearing off all the old siding, they realized a lot of the sheeting underneath was rotting. They replaced all rotted wood and house wrapped it to keep it water tight – no more leaks! This hotel will get LP Smartside installed over the next few weeks.

Employee Of The Month

May 2, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Jamel – April 2022 Employee of the Month

Jamel is Carlson Exteriors’ Employee of the Month! Jamel always has a great attitude, never afraid to ask questions, and will always accept a new challenge with the right guidance. This Month he stepped into a temporary leadership role and blew everyone away. Jamel works on the gutter crew installing new gutters, replacement gutters, and performing gutter repairs.

A Look Into Our Work Week

April 28, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

finished a complete reside of a house and started replacing trim on a new house

Joe and his crew completed installing new siding on a home. They used Sandstone (tan siding) with Royal brown soffit and fascia. Since they completed that they started updating the look of a home by replacing the trim boards with new. Joe has been working very closely with the homeowner to achieve the look she has been dreaming about.

installed-gutters-on-new-homes-and-fixed-gutters-and-downspouts-in-existing-homes

Jamel has stepped into the gutter lead role while Brad is helping Mitchell install garage doors. Jamel has been excelling at installing gutters on new construction homes, replacing existing gutters for homeowners, and making small gutter repairs.

Mitchell and Bard have installed 9 garage doors in 3 days. The variety of the doors this week has been really fun to see. They have installed garage doors with a cedar look but maintenance free, timeless raised panel garage doors, and lovely stamped carriage garage doors.

Johnney has been busy with a lot of window and door leaks this week so far. Many of the windows had tyvek installed incorrectly and were not properly sealed. He has to remove the windows, replace any and all rotted wood, add tyvek, install the window, tape it properly, and re-install siding. Johnney and Ricky have been working together a decent amount this week.

Many siding repairs and fixed leaks around sliding glass door

Ricky has fixed siding that has come loose from the higher winds and replaced siding that blew off completely. He has fixed leaks on sliding glass doors and windows. These leaks were all caused by the doors and windows not being properly installed originally. All windows and doors were re-used so homeowner didn’t not have to buy new windows or doors.

replacing a valley that has a lot of ice dam related leaks

Dave performed a cedar roof repair this week. Jayden helped Dave replace a big valley on a roof that was leaking from ice dams. The shingles were removed, an ice ands water barrier was added, and then new shingles were added and worked into the older shingles.

On top of all the small shingle repairs, Jayden has removed a satellite tv dish from a roof and replaced the shingles with new. Jayden also installed 2 new chimney caps. Way to go!

One day this week, Josh replaced all the plastic vents on this home with new aluminum ones. Aluminum vents are more durable than plastic roof vents. The new vents matched the color better than the sun faded plastic ones. On top of this, Josh has performed many smaller roof repairs this week.

Nathan and his crew have been working hard to meet a deadline set on this new build home. It’s hard not to fall in love with the look of this home. Selections are: Driftwood Roof, Harbor grey shakes, Harbor grey siding in a 5″ reveal (wider than the standard width for siding), and white fascia and soffit.

Bryant has been helping Nathan and his crew meet their deadline. He has also managed to squeeze in some siding repairs and help other new homes complete their punch list items so the homeowner can close on their home.

John J has been busy making sure all new builds are water tight and leak free.

All about Gutters

April 21, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Gutters are not something that you typically think of until they are malfunctioning. They are very important though because when they are not working properly this can cause damage to your foundation or water intrusion in your basement.

What is the Standard gutter size?

The standard K-Style gutter size for a residential house is five-inch. You can also get this style gutter in six-inch size.

In most cases five-inch should be sufficient, however, if you are having overflow problems six-inch may be a better option to move more water.

6″ gutter profile (left) 5″gutter profile (right)

What are Splash Guards used for?

Splash guards are typically installed on inside corners of gutters or in an area where water is coming from an upper roofline. These will help prevent water from spilling over the gutter in areas of high water flow.

Inside Miter with Splash Guard and Outside Miter with Splash Guard

What size downspout should you use?

We offer downspouts that are 2×3 inch in size and 3×4 inch in size. If six-inch gutters are installed, 3×4 inch downspouts must be used. You can also install the larger 3×4 inch downspouts on your 5-inch gutters. It would be beneficial to use the larger 3×4 inch downspouts in all situations, these can handle more water flow.

For proper drainage, a downspout she be placed about every 40 linear feet.

3x4 spouts (left) 2x3 spouts (right) — 3×4 spouts (left) 2×3 spouts (right)

Should you have Leaf Protection installed?

Some benefits to using Leaf Protection are that you are guaranteed you will not have a downspout clog and that it is easier to clean your gutters with Leaf Protection.

A common misconception about Leaf Protection is that it will make your gutters maintenance free. Even when you have Leaf Protection installed, there will still be some maintenance. They will need to be wiped off periodically. Just keep this in mind when deciding if Leaf Protection is for you.

At Carlson Exteriors, we use Shur FloX Leaf Protection. This is a product that is put on top of your gutter, it does not go underneath shingles. It will not void any roof warranty you may have.

Shur FloX only attaches to the gutter – not the roof.

Shur FloX leaf protection has ridges so no leaves get stuck and cannot blow off.JPG

A Look Into Our Work Week

April 21, 2022by carlsonexteriorsLeave a comment

Mitchell and Bradley have been teaming up to knock out garage door installs

Mitchell usually works alone installing garage doors but this week he teamed up with Brad to install 2x the amount each day. In 3 days they installed 7 garage doors with chain drive openers on each one- WOW!

Nathan and his crew are almost done with residing this zero lot line home with dark blue siding and shakes.

Nathan and his crew have almost finished replacing the siding on this home. The natural slate dark blue siding and shakes give this home a stunning makeover. The crew made it work within the confines of the zero lot line property lines.

Ricky and his crew built a porch awning and installed the rubber flat roof and new soffit and fascia on it.

Ricky and his crew built a porch awning from scratch. They tied the flat rubber roof into the asphalt roof properly so no leaks will occur where the roof lines meet. They installed new porch soffit and fascia metal to match the existing soffit.

Charles installed a lot of soffit on porch ceilings and all around the overhangs on a rather large new construction home.

Charles, our lone wolf, has been busy installing soffit on porch ceilings and overhangs on a big new construction home.

Dave installed a metal roof and rubber roof on top of many pipe boot installs and shingle blow offs

Dave installed a metal roof on a new construction home and finished installing a rubber roof replacement. Mixed in with those bigger jobs, Dave installed pipe boots, installed blown off shingles and other storm damaged roof repairs.

Joe and His crew are wrapping up a siding replacement job.Down to the beautiful details.

Joe and his crew are wrapping up a siding replacement; stay tune for more before and after photos of this complete reside.

Between helping other crews accomplish their weekly goals, Bryant has been doing siding repairs and storm damaged fascia repairs.

Bryant has spent a lot of his time helping out other crews accomplish their goals and training a newer employee on siding. Between all of that, he still found time to slip in blown off fascia repairs and other smaller siding repairs.

John J has house wrapped 3 homes in 3 days.

Josh took care of many blown off shingles and added new venting into homes so snow would stop sucking into the attics.

Josh replaced many blown off shingles this week. He also reconfigured the venting on a few different rooflines; this consists of deleting and adding different forms of ventilation. The photos shown here- he has cut in a new ridge vent on this home.