Log Cabin Variations

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Posted by admin | Posted in Log Cabin Tips & Ideas | Posted on 07-03-2011

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Gutter and Cladding Basics for the Homeowner

When deciding on replacement gutters and cladding, homeowners are faced with a host of possibilities. From the do-it-yourselfer to hiring a contractor to complete the work for you, there are still many decisions to make. Each option for cladding and guttering your home has pros and cons, some of which we will discuss here.

Gutters serve a very useful purpose and often times without them in place your home can suffer damage. The elements can take a toll on your home, and safeguarding against basement leaks and the rotting of your homes exterior relies heavily on the gutters that are properly installed and functioning.

The composite materials used for guttering your home are various. Aluminum is the most in-expensive, but also won't last as long as other materials, such as copper, the most expensive. When deciding on the gutter material it is also important to keep in mind who will be installing it. For the do-it-yourselfer, you can purchase individual sticks of gutter piping from your local home store. While copper may not be in your budget, there are other options. PVC is a plastic like substance that will stand the test of time, but again has joints and seams that are susceptible to leaks. A major plus to these options is the ability of the homeowner to install them with minimal tools during a weekend project.

Should you hire professionals to take care of the job, seamless gutters made from vinyl are a great way to go. These are long lasting, fairly inexpensive when compared to their lifetime and also help keep that rain and snow away from your home and off the ground by using less joints and seams. This is where most leaks occur, so the end result with seamless guttering is less leaks due to the lack of multiple pieces tied together. Seamless guttering is custom made to fit your home.

When choosing a cladding for your home, it is equally important to keep in mind on who will be installing it. There are various materials to choose from as well as styles, colors and textures. If you like the look of a Log Cabin, you can easily turn your home into one with cladding that looks just like logs. The con to cladding your home is it is not easy to change the color, should your whims change frequently. A major plus to cladding is not only the variations available, but the long term wear it can withstand. Yearly paint touchups will be a thing of the past.

Let's explore cladding a bit further to discuss some of the variations that are available and the benefits of cladding your home. Most cladding is available in aluminum or vinyl materials. Each is long lasting, with vinyl coming out on top in the quality department. It is important to keep up maintenance on the cladding. Regular washing, at least once a year, using a mild detergent and a product that will enhance the shine and color of your cladding lengthen its lifetime. Along with the cladding, trim pieces can be purchased as well, minimizing any painting of your home at all.

Cladding and guttering your home will lessen the work you will do years down the road. Without the need to paint and touch up every year, cladding pays for itself in no time. This combined with the protective covering of your homes exterior and the added insulation between the exterior walls of your home and the cladding add to your energy savings. Cladding and guttering both come in various colors and textures, allowing for a customizable, almost maintenance free exterior to your home.

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Nasreen Haque

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