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7 Signs Your Home Has Termite Damage

Termites are a huge problem for homeowners, especially in Kansas City. If their presence in a home is allowed to go unchecked, the issues they cause can severely damage the structure of your home—weakening floors, walls, siding, and structural wood beams. These tiny insects can make your house unlivable and force you to invest in costly repairs—so it’s important to catch an infestation quickly. If you’re concerned you might have termites, you’ll want to do…

How Long Can I Expect My Roof to Last?

Your roof does a lot of hard work to protect your home from weather, moisture and debris. And when it’s doing its job, you probably don’t even think about it. Proper roof installation and upkeep can make your roofing last as long as possible before you need to invest in a replacement. Most homeowners have never had to think about a roof replacement—so you likely have questions about how long you can expect it to…

7 Questions to Ask When Replacing Your Windows

Are you considering new windows for your next home upgrade? Replacing windows add a lot of practical value to a house—bringing in natural light, inviting better ventilation, providing improved security, and boosting indoor comfort and energy savings. But how do you know you’re making the right choice in your new windows? These key questions will help you feel confident in your decision. 1. When Is It Time to Replace My Windows? Depending on materials and…

How to Keep Your Wood Siding in Tip-Top Shape

There’s something about the beautiful texture, grain and color of wood siding that gives it undeniable appeal for homeowners. It’s an attractive choice for your exterior—as long as you’re prepared to care for it properly. Both natural and engineered wood needs a certain amount of regular upkeep (although engineered wood is easier to manage). Here’s what to do to keep your wood siding in lasting shape. 5 Steps to Caring for Your Wood Siding 1.…

The Basics of Lap Siding for Your Home Remodel

Updating your home with replacement siding is a wonderful opportunity to refresh its style and curb appeal. So, if you’re considering replacing your home's siding, why not explore the possibilities of one of the most popular designs—lap siding. Here’s what to know about this highly attractive and versatile style of siding. What Is Lap Siding? You’ve likely seen lap siding on many homes in your neighborhood, because it’s one of the most common—and classic—looks around.…

Cleaning and Care Tips for Your James Hardie Siding

When you invest in long-lasting James Hardie siding for your home exterior, you’re getting one of the most durable and eye-catching materials around. But even Hardie siding needs some basic—and simple!—upkeep so you can be sure to enjoy the most satisfying results from it. Follow these easy tips for keeping your James Hardie siding clean and looking new, year after year. 6 Things to Know as You Maintain Your Hardie Siding Hardie Board is designed…

What’s the Difference Between Contemporary and Modern Homes?

Upgrading your siding? You might be surprised to know contemporary and modern styles are not identical! Each of these two home types have unique elements that you will want to keep in mind as you choose your new siding design and colors. Here are the key elements of each of these two appealing home architectures, so you can plan your home siding replacement wisely. What Is Contemporary Home Architecture? The Contemporary style of architecture is…

What Happens During a Typical Roof Installation

Getting a new roof can be an exciting process for homeowners, but also one that you may not be that familiar with. And you want to be sure you’re getting the full benefits from this important investment in your home’s structure. So as you prepare for a roof replacement, it helps to know exactly what your roofer will do for you. Here’s what happens when a trusted roofing contractor replaces your roof. 9 Steps of…

Don’t Hire a Roofing Contractor Without Asking These 10 Questions

Getting ready for a new roof? Before you invest in this significant home renovation process, you want to make sure you have the right team that will do the job well. Doing that is as straightforward as doing your research and ensuring you get answers to key questions. Start with These Questions to Vet Your Roofer Top-notch roofing companies like Kansas City's Smart Exteriors are happy to answer your questions, because they know it’ll ensure…

How to Safely Hang Holiday Lights and Protect Your Roof

With the holiday season in full bloom, you may plan to decorate your home with a festive display. Whether you want a spooky Halloween, a charming Thanksgiving, or a showy Christmas, holiday lighting is attractive—as long as you hang those lights without damaging your roof.Yes—roof damage can happen if you’re not careful, and you don’t want to end up with cracked shingles and broken gutters. Plus, getting atop your roof can be risky. Here’s how…