Resources

Remodeling resources

Read our informative articles to learn more about exterior remodeling and get what you need for your next project.

54 articles Search by title, topic, or keyword
Windows

Classic Remodeling Through a Customer's Eyes: A Reddit Discussion on Window Replacement Estimates

Read the original Reddit discussion and what it reveals about window replacement estimates.

June 8, 2026 Read more →
Guides

What Is a Plat (or Survey) Report?

A plat, sometimes called a survey report, is an official drawing that shows your property's boundaries.

December 18, 2025 Read more →
Decks

How to Maintain TimberTech Decking: A Practical Checklist

How to identify TimberTech decking and use the correct cleaner, brush, rinsing method, and structural inspection checklist.

November 19, 2025 Read more →
Decks

Can You Remodel a Deck in the Winter? Absolutely!

Many homeowners assume deck remodeling has to wait until spring or summer. Not so.

November 10, 2025 Read more →
Decks

Trex's Guide to the Most Popular Decking Colors for 2026

As we look ahead to 2026, outdoor living is entering a new era of color and texture.

November 5, 2025 Read more →
Sunrooms

Is a Year-Round Sunroom Worth It? What to Consider

What makes a sunroom usable year-round, how it differs from a three-season enclosure, and which costs, permits, and comfort details to compare.

November 4, 2025 Read more →
Decks

The Benefits of Choosing Trex Decking for Your Outdoor Space

When it comes to building or upgrading your deck, the material you choose matters.

October 20, 2025 Read more →
Home Care

How to Prepare Your Home Exterior for Fall

A practical fall checklist for drainage, roofing, windows and doors, siding, decks, porches, and screened rooms.

September 14, 2025 Read more →
Outdoor Living

How to Create an Outdoor Living Space That Feels Like Home

Plan a deck, porch, screened enclosure, or sunroom around how you live, the weather protection you need, and the maintenance you want.

September 8, 2025 Read more →
Home Care

The Hidden Costs of Delaying Home Repairs

When it comes to maintaining your home, it's easy to put off repairs, but it can cost you.

September 3, 2025 Read more →
Decks

5 Ways to Turn Your Deck into an Outdoor Oasis

Transform your deck into an outdoor oasis with composite decking, cozy seating, shade, lighting, and greenery.

August 8, 2025 Read more →
Exterior Tips

Boost Your Curb Appeal: Small Exterior Upgrades That Make a Big Impact

Six budget-friendly exterior upgrades, from front doors to lighting and landscaping, that boost curb appeal without a full renovation.

August 7, 2025 Read more →
Decks

Aluminum vs. Wood Framing: What Is the Best Choice?

Why TimberTech aluminum framing outperforms wood on durability, fire resistance, and maintenance.

August 4, 2025 Read more →
Decks

Your Ultimate Poolside Decking Guide

Low-maintenance poolside decking compared: Trex, TimberTech, and Azek for wet, sunny, high-traffic areas.

June 17, 2025 Read more →
Siding

CertainTeed Monogram® Siding: Style, Strength, and Sustainability

40 fade-resistant colors, authentic woodgrain texture, and lasting durability for Maryland homes.

May 27, 2025 Read more →
Roofing

The ROI of a New Roof: Is It Worth the Investment?

Resale value, energy savings, and long-term protection — why a roof replacement pays back.

May 23, 2025 Read more →
Financing

Flexible Financing Options for Your Home Projects

How contractor-arranged financing works, what Watercress says about its process, and which loan terms homeowners should compare.

May 20, 2025 Read more →
Decks

How to Choose Deck Lighting: A Practical Guide

Compare stair, post-cap, rail, recessed, overhead, wired, and solar deck lighting by purpose, layout, controls, and installation needs.

May 19, 2025 Read more →
Decks

How to Clean Composite Decking: A 6-Step Guide for a Like-New Look

A 6-step guide to cleaning composite and PVC decking, plus problem-specific cleaners and maintenance tips for a like-new look.

May 16, 2025 Read more →
Enclosures

Top Benefits of Screened Enclosures

How screened enclosures reduce insects and debris, plus practical guidance on roofs, airflow, design choices, permits, and upkeep.

May 15, 2025 Read more →
Decks

Should You Build a Deck in Summer? What to Plan First

How to compare site needs, permits, schedules, materials, shade, lighting, and repair conditions before starting a summer deck project.

May 14, 2025 Read more →
Roofing

Choosing the Right Roof System

A breakdown of the six components that make up the CertainTeed Integrity Roof System, from waterproofing underlayment to attic ventilation.

May 13, 2025 Read more →
Roofing

How to Make Your Roof Last Longer

Practical guidance on roof cleaning, inspections, coordinated materials, cool-roof shingles, ventilation, repairs, and replacement decisions.

May 13, 2025 Read more →
Siding

Top 5 Reasons to Replace Your Siding Before Fall

Five reasons to replace worn siding before fall, from moisture protection and energy savings to curb appeal and warranty coverage.

May 8, 2025 Read more →
Exterior Tips

Summer Home Exterior Maintenance Checklist

A safety-focused summer exterior checklist for water entry, roof damage, siding, windows, doors, decks, drainage, and project permits.

May 7, 2025 Read more →
Exterior Tips

The Best Exterior Renovation Projects for Boosting Home Value

What national cost-vs-value data says about decks, siding, roofing, windows, doors, and porches, and how to sequence the work.

May 6, 2025 Read more →
Doors

Is It Time to Replace Your Doors? 6 Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Six warning signs your doors need replacing, drafts, sticking, visible damage, dated looks, rising energy bills, and security concerns.

May 5, 2025 Read more →
Financing

Types of Home Improvement Loans

Compare personal loans, HELOCs, home equity loans, renovation mortgages, and Maryland programs before financing a project.

April 2025 Read more →
Windows

How to Know When to Replace the Windows in Your Home

Seven key signs your windows need replacing, from failed seals and drafts to warped frames and rising energy bills.

March 2025 Read more →
Siding

The Best Siding Colors for Maryland Homes: Trends & Timeless Choices

Classic, modern, and coastal siding color ideas to boost curb appeal and value for Maryland homes.

February 2025 Read more →
Roofing

Year-Round Roof Maintenance: Is Your Roof Ready for All Seasons?

Season-by-season roof maintenance tips to protect your home from rain, heat, wind, snow, and ice all year long.

February 18, 2025 Read more →
Doors

How to Choose a Patio Door: Sliding vs. Hinged

Compare sliding and hinged patio doors by clearance, access, energy labels, glass, drainage, maintenance, and current ProVia options.

February 11, 2025 Read more →
Decks

Choosing the Right Decking: Composite vs. Wood

Comparing TimberTech composite decking against traditional wood on durability, maintenance, and sustainability.

February 2, 2025 Read more →
Exterior Tips

Discover Your Home's Aesthetic: Breaking Down Popular Exterior Styles

A breakdown of four popular home exterior styles, modern, cottagecore, traditional, and contemporary, to help you find your aesthetic.

January 20, 2025 Read more →
Decks

How to Care for a Deck in Winter

Product-specific guidance for snow removal, ice melt, winter access, and structural warning signs on Trex, TimberTech, and wood decks.

December 16, 2024 Read more →
Roofing

Redo Your Roof and Gutters This Fall

Why a coordinated roof and gutter project can protect your home before winter while saving time and preventing water damage.

October 10, 2024 Read more →
Siding

A Guide to CertainTeed's CertaPlank Siding

CertainTeed's CertaPlank reinforced siding pairs classic woodgrain looks with impact resistance, low maintenance, and a lifetime warranty.

August 7, 2024 Read more →
Decks

Composite Railing: Know Your Options

Customize TimberTech's Classic Composite Series railing by choosing a top rail, infill, and colors for a durable, low-maintenance deck.

August 6, 2024 Read more →
Siding

The Resilience of Quality Siding: A Tale of Hail Damage

After a hailstorm, standard vinyl siding dents and cracks while durable Alside siding stays intact, protecting your home and its value.

August 4, 2024 Read more →
Siding

Energy Loss is Robbing You…

Homes lose up to 35% of energy through un-insulated walls; adding ProFold insulation under new siding cuts loss and resists moisture.

August 2024 Read more →
Windows

Everything You Need to Know About Skylights

A guide to VELUX skylights covering benefits, glass strength options, climate control, sizing, combining units, and installation types.

July 2024 Read more →
Roofing

Crucial Benefits of Effective Attic Ventilation

Balanced attic ventilation lowers energy use, protects roof materials and structure, and prevents ice dams in winter.

July 2024 Read more →
Doors

How to Choose a Front Door Color

An evergreen guide to front-door color, including undertones, physical samples, sun exposure, finish care, and repaint-versus-replace decisions.

July 2024 Read more →
Windows

Maximizing Natural Light: Strategies for Window Renovation

Window renovation strategies to maximize natural light: window style, placement, size, and glass doors and transoms.

July 2024 Read more →
Roofing

Roof Revival: 5 Signs It Is Time for a New Roof

Five warning signs your roof needs replacing, including algae growth, water damage, missing shingles, and age.

June 2024 Read more →
Siding

Beautiful, Efficient Siding: Prodigy

Prodigy insulated vinyl siding pairs 1½-inch foam insulation with cedar-grain curb appeal for energy savings and year-round comfort.

March 21, 2024 Read more →
Doors

Enhance Your Home with a Beautiful View

The Promenade patio door blends premium vinyl construction, energy-efficient glass packages, and three style options for a beautiful view.

March 15, 2024 Read more →
Decks

How Big Should a Deck Be? A Practical Sizing Guide

Choose deck dimensions by furniture, circulation, site constraints, structure, permits, and budget rather than a universal size rule.

March 14, 2024 Read more →
Decks

Does Trex Transcend Lineage Stay Cooler? What to Know

What Trex's cooler Lineage claim means, the current colors and warranty, and which heat, maintenance, and installation details to compare.

March 14, 2024 Read more →
Doors

What to Look For in an Energy-Efficient Door

How to compare entry and patio doors using NFRC ratings, ENERGY STAR certification, materials, glass, seals, and installation details.

December 5, 2023 Read more →
Windows

Energy Efficient Windows

ProVia Aspect Windows deliver energy efficiency through Low-E glass, glazing options, thermal insulation, comfort, and noise reduction.

October 31, 2023 Read more →
Siding

CertainTeed Cedar Impressions Siding

CertainTeed Cedar Impressions siding pairs elegance with weather-resistant, low-maintenance durability and recycled-content sustainability.

September 25, 2023 Read more →
Roofing

The Advantage of CertainTeed's Landmark Pro Shingles

CertainTeed Landmark Pro shingles deliver durable laminated construction, long lifespan, eco certifications, and a strong lifetime warranty.

August 27, 2023 Read more →
Decks

Trex Transcend Decking: Features, Care, and Tradeoffs

A source-backed review of Trex Transcend colors, recycled content, cleaning, scratch and heat limits, framing needs, and current warranties.

July 25, 2023 Read more →

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