Royal Building Products unveils 2019 Color Trend of the Year

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Royal Building Products unveils 2019 Color Trend of the Year

What is Slatescape? Slatescape is the 2019 Royal Building Products color trend of the year, that was introduced last month.

“Exterior color covers more than the outside of a house. It covers bigger things, like curb appeal, resale value, mood and self-expression. The 2019 Color Trend of the Year is simultaneously serene, timeless and bracing. It’s versatile enough to serve as a background to bold contrasts and warm neutrals. Most of all, it gives us something compellingly cool and comforting to escape into”

“The Slatescape tone is a soothing combination of blue and gray that evokes feelings of calm and tranquility,” said Kristine Swint, Director, Interactive Strategy and Design at Royal Building Products. “We have seen homeowners gravitating toward deeper blues and grays inspired by nature in recent years, and Slatescape is a beautiful expression of that trend.”

Royal Building Products released several new colors in accordance to the Slatescape color tones in shades of gray, blue, and brown.

  • Celect Cellular Composite Siding – Castle Stone and Coastline
  • Exterior Portfolio – Ocean Side, Polaris, Nantucket, Peppercorn and Metropolitan Gray
  • Royal Vinyl – Storm, Urban Bronze and Rockslide

 

These colors and combinations are sure to make your home stand out, and bring inspiration each time you come home. For more information you can visit the Royal website Here. You can also try out colors on your home at the Royal Homeplay Website Here.

Note : The Royal colors of Sable and Bark have been discontinued as of 2019.

How could Section 232 change the Steel and Aluminum Market

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How could Section 232 change the Steel and Aluminum Market

What is Section 232?

Section 232 is a provision that was given authority because of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This law or provision as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, “is to determine the effect of imports on the U.S. national security.” Most recently the largest imports that are being looked at is Steel and Aluminum.

When will Trump make a decision?

There have been a lot of hoops that have been jumped through, and as with anything else in Washington a deadline really does not mean that much, but President Trump is supposed to make a decision on this issue by April 11th 2018.

What is expected to happen?

No one really knows what Trump is thinking on this issue, and this has lead to speculation and unrest in the marketplace. Secretary Ross from the Department of Commerce or DOC has released the 3 recommendations on steel made to President Trump but these recommendations by no means restrict his decision. President Trump is free to take whatever actions he sees fit because this issue according to the DOC and Trump is a national security issue.

What has the DOC recommended?

Recommendation 1 – Global tariff on all countries of 24%,

Recommendation 2 – targeted list of 12 countries with tariff of 53%, all others will have quota of 100% of 2017 exports to U.S.,

Recommendation 3 – quota on all countries of 63% of 2017 exports to U.S.

Each of these remedies are above and beyond the anti dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) that have already been placed on foreign imports.

What will this all mean?

Its hard to predict what all this might mean, but no one doubts that the costs on raw steel and aluminum will be higher this year based on several factors.

  1. For the first time in nearly 10 years, many major economies are experiencing good economic conditions, including the U.S., Asian nations, and European nations, among others. This surge drives up the price of commodity items.
  2. The recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is likely to produce increased growth in U.S. economic activity.
  3. Section 232 and all that might mean to the market
  4. Increased costs in freight for domestic shipping
  5. Most coating lines passed paint increases the first of 2018
  6. President Trump during his campaign promised to address the foreign steel problem and to protect U.S. steel workers

We will stay up to date with the market and pass on any information that we receive. Feel free to give us a call or email if you have any questions.

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

 

Beautiful new home is completed in Richland County

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Beautiful new home is completed in Richland County

House1

When Dan Arnold began the process of building his new home, not all the details were in place at the start. Dan knew a general idea of the type of home he wanted to build, but he was not sure where all his materials and supplies would come from. He did know that he wanted to have a Standing Seam roof on his new home, so he started to make contact with metal roofing installers in the area. In his search for a qualified installer, he made contact with Wes Miller, from Miller Premier Construction, and was impressed with the knowledge and experience that Wes possessed. Wes suggested that Dan would stop in at First Choice Exteriors showroom and take a look at the metal roofing options that would be available, and that is how Dan became aware of all the options that First Choice had to offer.House4

When Dan stopped in at First Choice, he was surprised to discover that they also offered Vinyl Siding, Stone, Windows, Doors, and so much more. During the discussion about available products, Chris ( who is a sales representative at First Choice ) offered to price out a number of the other items that were needed for the home. When everything was said and done, Dan and his wife Tara chose Terra Brown D4D Vinyl Siding, Newton Vinylmax Windows, Rustic Manor Ledgestone by Prestige Stone, Terra Brown 7″ Split Shakes by the Foundry, and 26ga Mansard Brown 16″ wide Weatherlock Standing Seam.

One of the House5main things that Dan mentioned that impressed him regarding the service and products that First Choice provided, was the willingness that Chris showed in going out of his way to answer questions and to provide helpful information. He also mentioned that when it came to pricing, First Choice Exteriors was always able to provide a competitive price to comparable products in the area.

We asked him to sum up his experience with First Choice, ” I have found that First Choice provides the highest quality of both House6Products and Service, In addition, I appreciate the knowledge and product experience their sales representatives have. It is extremely helpful and not available in the box stores “

It really has been a pleasure to work with Dan and Tara, and we want to be the first to congratulate you on the completion of your beautiful home, and may you have many happy years ahead.

 

 

Questions to ask when purchasing Vinyl Siding

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Questions to ask when purchasing Vinyl Siding

Purchasing vinyl siding for your home can be a big step, and its not something that you want to take shortcuts on. Often when we are not familiar with a line of products, we really don’t know the proper questions to ask when we are researching it. Lets look at some questions that should be asked when purchasing Vinyl Siding.

Style of LapSiding

There are two common styles of lap in vinyl siding, Dutchlap and Straightlap and both of them have there pros and cons. If you are using the siding on a older home, or you know that the wall substrate has some imperfections, you might want to choose a Dutchlap siding. Dutchlap siding tends to hide wall imperfections better because of the profile. Straightlap Vinyl siding is very popular in some areas because of its clean profile, and is gaining in popularity every year.

Thickness of the Siding

There are several thickness of siding that are common, among them are .040 .044 .046. Which thickness is best for you really depends on your budget and your long term goal.  A thicker panel will cost some more, however the panel will be stiffer, and will be able to stand up better to the elements. Many of the darker colors are not available in the thinner panels.

Recycled materialvinyl-recycling-

Another question to ask is if the siding is made using recycled material. All siding goes through a extrusion process, however many company’s will use recycled vinyl for the middle and back layer of the siding. This process is more economical for the siding manufacturer, but some shortcuts are not worth taking. Using recycled material can cause color changes on cut laps, and also lower the siding resistance to fading.

Warranty’s

Warranty’s are something that tends to make everyone’s eye’s gloss over, and often we only skim through and don’t really pay attention. There are however distinct differences in siding warranty’s, and you can tell how much a siding manufacturer believes in their product. Some things to look for are– Amount of fade that is excepted? When does it begin to pro-rate? Is labor included? Is the warranty transferable? Does the warranty lose value after it is transferred?Print

Here at First Choice Exteriors, we stock Vinyl Siding by Royal Building Products, because we believe that Royal products exceed in all these category’s and more. Give us a call today for more information.

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Miller home renovation is completed

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Miller home renovation is completed

Renovating  your home can be a daunting task when you start looking at all the options that are available. But instead of becoming overwhelmed, Paul Miller from Millersburg OH, tackled this task with vigor. He replaced the old and faded vinyl siding with Norman Rockwell siding from KP building products in the Khaki color. He then chose Foundry Rustic Cedar Staggered Shakes and Antique Parchment Aluminum Trims to help accent the Khaki. He also replaced the existing brick with manufactured stone, which really added that finishing touch.Before

 

When it came to his roof, Paul  knew that he wanted a Metal Roof to replace his shingles. Classic Metals had the privilege of supplying him with several color samples and options. After a few weeks of considering, Paul decided to go with  Grip Tex Bronze 29Ga. Ag Panel. The AG Panel has been used for decades as the go-to profile for metal roofing as well as siding. When we asked why he chose the Grip Tex option he replied, “ I chose Grip-Tex for several reasons, but the main one being because it wasn’t as shiny as your standard metal roofing.” Some of the other highlights of the Grip-Tex is, better traction for the ones that are installing it and the textured paint also provides better scratch resistance, due to Paul 2the textured surface. When it came to the installation of the roof, siding and accessories,  Paul’s close family and friends were the first to offer their services. Paul is extremely happy with the way everything turned out. The colors work together, creating a beautiful, classic look to his home.Paul 3

Congratulations Paul on the beautiful Renovation you accomplished! We are so glad that you gave us the privilege of working with you and helping  make your dream a reality!

Siding by Royal Building Products: Better in Every Way

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Siding by Royal Building Products: Better in Every Way

Royal Building Products has been manufacturing high quality home exterior products for over 40 years. These many years of research and development has lead them to being a leader in the field of vinyl products. Their quality products offer durable, low maintenance features that deliver lasting beauty and enduring value. They are committed to designing products that reflect a high standard of excellence while enhancing your home, and thus your neighborhood. First Choice Exteriors is proud to be able to partner with Royal Building Products in order to provide exterior products that exceed our customers expectations.

Thickness of the Siding Panels

Royal Building Products prides themselves in not taking shortcuts when it comes to quality. One of the ways that some other siding manufacture’s cut costs, is to shrink the thickness of their siding panels. A siding panel can be marketed as a .044 thickness, however if you were to measure the thickness, it would be slightly under .044. Royal manufactures their siding panels in a way that insures that the thickness meets or exceeds the stated specs, which leads to a panel that has more rigidity and stiffness.

Manufacturing Process

Another way that some siding manufacture’s cut costs, is to used recycled material for the back side of the panels. This process obliviously is in the best interest of the manufacturer, however this can lead to color problems and other issues down the road. Sometimes the cut edges will show white, instead of the color of the siding because of this process. Royal Building Products vinyl siding is made using the same material on the back as on the front. This is by far a more superior way of manufacturing, and lends itself to a longer lasting product.

 

Deep and Rich ColorsPrint

Royal Building Products has been investing in research and development for years, in order to have deep and rich colors in vinyl siding. They have been successful in designing a process that allows the darker color tones to resist the fading powers of the sun. You will be amazed when you see the large color selection that is available in all color tones. These Dark and Rich colors are sure to make your home the envy of the neighborhood.

Unbeatable Warranty

In order to show that they believe in their products, Royal Building Products covers their vinyl siding with a warranty that will far exceed your expectations. What makes their warranty so special is that it does NOT PRO-RATE or DIMINISH for both the original owner and the following owner. What this means is that if there is uneven fading, or another warranty issue, Royal Building Products will cover both the material and the labor for as long as the original owner owns the home. These benefits can also be transferred to the subsequent homeowner, without any changes to the coverage, and the coverage will continue for as long as they own the home. Click here for a copy of the Double Limited Lifetime Warranty

There are a lot of options in vinyl siding for your home, however it is easy to see that Royal Building Products stands out among the rest, as a manufacturer that is willing to go above and beyond. Whether it is the warranty or the colors that are available, They are committed to providing a product that cannot be beat. Feel free to give us a call today, and we will answer any questions that you might have.

 

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Are Replacement Windows worth the Investment?

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Are Replacement Windows worth the Investment?

When it comes to replacing the windows in their home, folks often think of it as merely another expense to add to their budget. A lot of homeowners tell us, “Oh, we’d love to put your windows in our house, but we just don’t think we can afford them.” Often, many of them don’t consider the fact that the old windows they currently have could be significantly draining their finances already. Even if the windows seem to function properly, here are a few ways that they could actually be costing you money.

1. Ultraviolet lightWindow-Film-UV-Rays-Protect

Plain, untreated, clear glass lets in UV rays. These rays are responsible for perpetual damage to the inside of your home. Items that you know would be affected by sunlight outside are still being damaged indoors, but at a slower rate. This can mean discolored carpet, faded artwork, disappearing photographs and faded upholstered furniture and wood floors. Homeowners commonly report that blinds become brittle, and curtains or other window treatments become discolored and start deteriorating. Having to replace your furniture, rugs or drapes that were damaged over time could be quite costly.

2. Heat transfer

Old windows can’t keep the heat out in the summer or in during winter because the frames don’t have insulating properties. Common outdated frame materials, such as aluminum, conduct heat directly from the outside to the inside of your home. If you feel a different temperature when you are near your windows, they are doing very little to insulate your home. This causes your furnace or air conditioner to run unnecessarily, driving up your monthly energy bill.

3. Leaking

Old windows often have many tiny cracks, even when they seem to close and function properly. The weather causes windows to expand and contract, so the glass doesn’t fit properly. Panes of glass can become loose, or the glass itself can break. The caulking around the windows crumbles over time and the weather stripping fails. Not only can this make your home drafty, it can also let in dust and other allergens, as well as cause water damage. These are some negative effects you will experience when that happens:

prarie-style-sliding-door-and-windowsYou’ll find yourself spending more by adjusting your thermostat to compensate for the drafts. The leaks will let in spiders and other insects and put a bigger exterminating bill on your budget. The biggest costs that come from the water damage will have long-standing effects on your home, possibly leading to mold issues, and the need to replace entire sections of plaster or drywall. You might be feeling unwell from the dust, mold and other allergens coming into your home, which affects your quality of life.

4. Upkeep

Especially for homeowners with wood windows, the wooden frames need to be stained or painted frequently or they are subject to wood rot. The cost to maintain wood windows is substantial, as they have to be meticulously masked off, sanded and primed, with several coats of paint to keep them in good condition. Additionally, some other window frame materials that were not designed to be painted may have been mistakenly painted, and then they start peel and blister. New windows are designed to be virtually maintenance free and never need painting.

At the end of the day, if you are experiencing any or all of these issues with your old windows, you are probably spending more on those windows than you’d care to. You may even find that the cost of new windows isn’t really much more than what your old windows are costing you. Give us a call at First Choice Exteriors to find out how affordable that replacement windows can be 330-674-7051

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

5 Home improvement Projects & Upgrades this Winter

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5 Home improvement Projects & Upgrades this Winter

If you’re like most people, you’ve been spending a lot of time indoors lately. Unfortunately, there are several more months of winter to get through before we start seeing signs of spring.

Before you throw your hands up in despair, why not break the monotony by working on your house? After all, you’re stuck inside anyway, and you’re probably searching for something to do that doesn’t involve sitting on the couch and eating snacks Plus, some home improvement projects will increase your property value, save money on your utility bills, and potentially prevent larger, more expensive issues from developing.

Here are some easy winter projects you might want to tackle before spring hits.

1. Repaint
You’ve been staring at your neutral colored walls every day for months. Want to brighten your mood? Try repainting! Go with a bright, cheery color to liven things up. I always repaint in the winter because that’s when I need the most visual stimulation. A new coat of paint can dramatically lift your mood and the mood of the entire room. Make sure you crack open the windows to let in fresh air while you’re painting. Or, consider going with an eco-friendly, low-VOC paint so you don’t have to worry about breathing in toxic fumes.

2. Work on Your Floors
Is your carpet threadbare? Are your hardwood floors freezing your feet? Putting in carpet is a great winter project because it can increase the comfort of your home dramatically. Whether you do it yourself or have it installed, remember: the off-gassing from new carpet is tremendous. Make sure you open windows to allow those toxic fumes to escape. You can also ask your carpet retailer to air out the carpet several days before they install it in your home. If you don’t like carpeting, there are plenty of other home flooring idea’s  such as tile and laminate that you could also consider.

3. Declutter
When Spring gets here, you’re not going to want to spend your time sifting through those piles of junk in your basement. You’ll want to be outside, enjoying the fresh air. Winter is a great time to work on getting organized (which is why January is “Get Organized Month”). So, devote time every week to decluttering in general and organizing what you decide to keep.

Tip: Don’t try to tackle the entire house at once. Do this and you’ll find yourself with a broken spirit, huddled on the couch. Start small, and go slow. Focus on one shelf, or one corner, and work until you’ve got that space looking exactly how you want. This way you’ll be able to see the progress you’re making.

4. Look at Your Bathroom
Is your grout gunky with unsightly mildew? Is your sink hopelessly outdated? Are you over the pale green paint you put on the walls three years ago? Bathrooms make great winter projects because once they’re done, you can appreciate your handiwork every single day. And, there are plenty of ways to frugally remodel your bathroom. Updates like replacing a faucet, re-grouting tile, or repainting are relatively easy for the do-it-yourselfer. But if you get more ambitious (like, you want to replace the tile floor or buy a new toilet) you might want to call in professional help. Your sanity will thank you.

5. Add Insulation
Okay, so adding insulation doesn’t exactly make your heart pound with excitement. But it will lower your utility bills, and help make your home more comfortable and eco-friendly. Crawl up into your attic. If you can see the floor joists, then you need more insulation. Since heat rises, you could save quite a bit by adding another layer of insulation up there. You can also add insulation in your basement and in crawlspaces to prevent heat loss there as well.

Final Word

It’s easy to get cabin fever this time of year. We’re all going through it. But working on home projects is a great way to keep yourself active, add value to your home, and beautify or improve your living space. It’s a win-win!

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

Save Energy this Winter by following these Tips

Posted by Kevin yoder on

Save Energy this Winter by following these Tips

With the winter season in full swing here in Ohio, we here at First Choice Exteriors thought that it would be beneficial to post about some steps that can be taken to save on energy costs. This is by no means a complete list, however our goal is to provide some idea’s that will get all of us thinking about small steps that we all can take.

Five Actions to cut your heating costs

  1. Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting. Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees or off at night or when leaving home for an extended time, saving 5-20 percent of your heating costs (heat pumps should only be set back 2 degrees to prevent unneeded use of backup strip heating).
  2. Replace or clean furnace filters as recommended. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Now is also the time for a furnace “tune-up.” Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.
  3. Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the “normal” setting or 120-degrees Fahrenheit, unless the owner’s manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs.
  4. Seal up the leaks. Caulk leaks around windows and doors. Look for places where you have pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling or floor. Check the bathroom, underneath the kitchen sink, pipes inside a closet, etc. If you find a gap at the point where the pipe or vents goes through the wall, seal it up. Caulk works best on small gaps. Your hardware store should have products to close the larger gaps.
  5. Consider replacing your old gas appliances with an ENERGY STAR® water heater or furnace.

Fast and Free Ideas for cost savingspicture-uhac9b8c328a9effef1c2115d031d188a3-psfb4b8415fc64a154836f06e975dae43-735-e-francis-st-aspen-co-816111

  1. Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting. Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees or off at night or when leaving home for an extended time, saving 5-20 percent of your heating costs (heat pumps should only be set back 2 degrees to prevent unneeded use of backup strip heating).
  2. Replace or clean furnace filters as recommended. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Now is also the time for a furnace “tune-up.” Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.
  3. Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the “normal” setting or 120-degrees Fahrenheit, unless the owner’s manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs.
  4. Seal up the leaks. Caulk leaks around windows and doors. Look for places where you have pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling or floor. Check the bathroom, underneath the kitchen sink, pipes inside a closet, etc. If you find a gap at the point where the pipe or vents goes through the wall, seal it up. Caulk works best on small gaps. Your hardware store should have products to close the larger gaps.
  5. Consider replacing your old gas appliances with an ENERGY STAR® water heater or furnace.

Energy Saving Investments for the future

Choose ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics. When buying new appliances, choose ENERGY STAR-certified models. For example, a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses about 20 percent less energy than a standard new refrigerator, and 46 percent less than one made in 1980. A new Energy Star® clothes washer uses nearly 50 percent less energy than a standard washer.

Install a programmable thermostat. If you have a heat pump, select a model designed for heat pumps. Set-back thermostats can save up to 15 percent on energy costs.

Increase ceiling insulation. If your ceiling is uninsulated or scantily insulated, consider increasing your insulation to up to R-38 to reduce heating costs by 5-25 percent.

Seal ducts. Leaking ductwork accounts for more than 25 top 30 percent of heating costs in an average California home. Consider hiring a contractor to test the tightness of your ducts and repair leaks and restrictions in your duct. Many utilities have programs to assist you. Check out the Flex Your Power Web site for rebate and consumer programs or contact or local utility.

High-efficiency windows. If you are planning to replace your windows, choosing ENERGY STAR windows can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 15 percent.

Be sure to contact us if you have any questions about energy savings or would like more information about any Home Exterior Products.  During the Winter season always remember to–Stay inside and Stay warm.

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice

 

Longboard Products – Maintenance free Contemporary Cladding

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Longboard Products – Maintenance free Contemporary Cladding

If you have been searching for a maintenance free exterior product that looks like wood, will last for generations and will give your home or buisness a contemporary appearance, Longboard Cladding is the product that you have been looking for. Longboard  a division of Mayne Coatings Corporation is located in British Columbia and manufactures high quality Aluminum siding, soffits, privacy screens and much more.4V-GROOVE

Attributes of Longboard®:

Longboard siding and soffits are extruded from 1/8″ thick Aluminum and are installed using high quality hidden fasteners. Longboard siding comes in 24 foot lengths, with 3 profiles ( 4″ Groove, 6″ Groove, and 6″ Channel ) and is available in many color options such as wood grain, solid, or metallic. You can view their 2017 brochure by clicking here

How much does Longboard Siding / Soffit cost?001

The cost for Longboard is more expensive than other siding products, however you really need to compare the life of the product and understand that it is a worthy investment that is well worth the price. On average the cost of the material will range from $14.00 — $18.00 per square foot depending on products and options chosen. According to a case study that compared the lifetime cost of Longboard versus wood based on an average 4,000 ft home, Longboard saved homeowners over $22,000 in lifetime maintenance! Just imagine the appearance of wood, without the yearly panting, staining and/or repairing that real wood involves.

We would love to take a look at your project, and show you the product first hand, so that you can see how the Longboard products can give your home or business the character and beauty that you are looking for. Give us a call today, or stop in the showroom to see all the options for yourself.160616-Starbucks_TES-002

The information provided is for reference only and may change without notice