The Pros and Cons of Wood Windows

Wood windows are still a very popular option for replacement windows in the Madison area. This is true for many reasons, and we’ll dive into the advantages of wood windows — especially ones that are well made, with solid warranties — in this article. That said, there are some potential drawbacks to wood windows, which we’d also like to share in order to help you make the best decision possible when deciding on replacement windows.  Let’s jump right in … THE PROS OF WOOD WINDOWS There are many reasons wood windows continue to be a popular choice for homeowners, including: GOOD LOOKS Wood is one of the nicest looking window materials. The gorgeous grain and tone of wood can add to the character of your home, while giving it a more natural feel than vinyl, aluminum or fiberglass windows.  VERSATILITY To begin, wood windows have a multitude of customization options, which is great for homeowners who are looking for something specific, or who are looking to meet a particular budget. They can also be stained

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Exterior Home Design & Mixed Materials

Being a siding contractor in Madison, and throughout Dane county, we are often the first to notice new trends when it comes to exterior home design and renovation. One recent trend — using mixed materials on the outside of a home — is still going strong, so we wanted to share a handful of ways you could consider mixing materials on your own home, if this is something you have interest in.  Some of the overall benefits of using mixed materials include: The ability to highlight different areas of the exterior of your home The addition of dimension and character Tons of curb appeal and enjoyment You can mix-and-match many materials including: wood, metal, stone, fiber cement, & brick for a beautifully varied aesthetic Working with a good design team (like the one at Legacy Exteriors) can help determine where to use more expensive materials, as well as where to use more durable materials — to ensure longevity, as well as remain budget conscious Let’s dive into six different ways that you can incorporate mixed

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Beyond the Studs: Return on Investment (ROI) & Home Remodeling

In this episode of Beyond the Studs, Josh Gauwitz, owner of Legacy Exteriors, talked all about the potential for return on investment (ROI) on home remodeling projects, which is always good news for homeowners. Here’s what Josh had to say … I recently read an article on BankRate.com that talked about all of the “high-yielding” home Improvements people can make that typically yield a solid return on their investment. The article made some good points — things we’ll talk about with homeowners who are looking to remodel or make improvements — and I realized it would be a good topic for Beyond the Studs.  That said, before we dive into what those high yielding projects are, I’d like to point out a few of the remodeling projects that homeowners seem to love, that don’t yield an ROI when selling a home. These are just a few examples of some of the more popular renovations: • Lavish lighting fixtures are a must-have for many of the homeowners we work with • Converting a bedroom into a

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6 Signs Your Commercial Roof May Need Replacing

In addition to residential roofing, we also handle commercial roofing in the Madison area. Over the years we’ve been asked the following question countless times … “how do I know if my commercial roof needs replacing?” And although every situation is different, there are some tried-and-true signs that a commercial roof may be on its last leg. Here are six of the most common signs that your commercial roofing may need replacing. If any of the following signs are present on your commercial roof, we highly advise that you have a professional contractor conduct an inspection of the roof … Your Roofing Material is Bubbling and Blistering Are there air pockets or bubbles across the surface of your commercial roof? This can happen over time, and it is a direct indicator that the roof may be damaged. Air pockets and bubbles manifest when either air or moisture becomes trapped under the roof’s membrane. Water Leaks and Signs of Water Damage If you’re experiencing roofing leaks on the inside of the commercial space, or even worse

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Five Fantastic Facts about Fiberglass Windows

Fiberglass windows are amazing. Their benefits go much deeper than aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency, which is why we’d like to share five fantastic facts about fiberglass windows, as well as a bit of information regarding the top three fiberglass window brands we work with.  There’s no shortage of companies selling fiberglass windows in the Madison, WI, area, so before we get started with the benefits of the windows themselves, we’d like to mention the importance of a benefit not directly related to the windows — and that’s the windows contractor you choose to hire for the job. No matter which company you choose, make sure they are a local, licensed window contractor. As we talked about in a recent Beyond the Studs episode, installation errors can cause all kinds of problems with replacement windows. Inquiring about window warranties is also suggested, as this is also a determining factor in who you should work with and what window brand to have installed. OK, so on to five (plus a couple of extra) benefits of fiberglass

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