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Angles ROOFING & SIDING
“A lot of older Berks County homes have real slate roofs. This line gives a similar look, but is significantly less expensive than real slate,” says Adam.
When it comes to siding, vertical siding is an option instead of traditional horizontal siding. Mastic Home Exteriors has such options within its Board+Batten series, which can be used on porches, entryways, peaks, and gables, to change the color and
appearance of small accent areas of siding. Standard horizontal siding can cost $60 to $120 per square for materials where vertical board+batten starts at $100 to $200 per square, according to Adam. Shakes, which look like wood, but are vinyl with a rough split look without the maintenance or repair of real wood, are another siding accent option. While the price tag may be higher at $300 per square, Adam reminds that “it is [often used in] a small accent area of 20 square feet or so. That is a small amount to add to the look of the house.”
Another siding option is insulated sidings available through Exterior Portfolio by Crane. The company’s Solid Core and Smart Core insulated sidings have insulated foam on its back. It adds an R value of up to 2.5 and deafens exterior sounds up to 45 percent. The cost, Adam says, is $200 per square “but the R values increase energy savings; so, it pays for itself quickly.”
Finding a Contractor The other important aspect of a roofing or siding job is to find the right contractor for you and your project. Adam suggests 24
AT HOME IN BERKs august 2013
asking for contractor recommendations from people you know, including asking for both good and bad reviews. He also suggests looking at the HBA of Berks County website to look for contractors who are in good standing within the organization. Adam also highlights the organization has an ethics committee where homeowners can present any concerns with contractors and their work. Gary Wolfe, Chairman and CEO of Wolfe Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. based in Reading agrees that finding a good contractor is important. For him it, isn’t about the price on the quote.
“The eyes see the quote, and homeowners are thinking they are buying a number not a job. That gets them in trouble. Longevity, safety, quality of building, and performance...that is what you are buying. There is a huge difference in the quality of contractors,” explains Wolfe. Wolfe recommends that homeowners ask other people about the contractors they have used for projects. “Find out about the jobs they have done. How do the homeowners feel about the job they did? Find out as much as you can – not just about the price but about the quality of work,” says Wolfe, whose company focuses on commercial and industrial roofing projects throughout Pennsylvania.