Frequently Asked Questions

Our house is currently sided with shingles from the 50s. Is it better to remove all of the old shingles before installing the siding or can you install the new vinyl siding over the old shingles? Are there advantages or disadvantages one way or the other?

Our home is an average sized home (approximately 2,700 square feet). How long should it take to finish the siding job?

What is involved in the siding of our house? Can we continue to live in the house while the work is being done?

Our house has 28 windows with storm windows attached. How long will it take to complete the job of replacing them with new replacement windows?

What distinguishes one window and siding company from another? Why should I use CES instead of XYZ?

I understand that putting siding on my house should improve its insulation from heat and cold, but what makes one type of siding different – better – than another and how can I be sure I’m getting material that is, in fact, going to reduce my heat and AC costs?

What kind of warranty is there on the work CES does and materials it uses?

What if, after having all this work done, my heating and AC usage does not go down?

If someone gets injured while the work is being done, am I liable for payment of medical costs? If no, how can I be sure?

Are therre any tax advantages to adding new windows or siding to our house?

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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This is a good question and one that is being asked much more frequently. First, there are many different types of siding products that were used in the 50s, i.e.: cedar, masonite, clapboard, fiberboard and wood. The actual type and condition of the existing siding would be critical in determining which method of installation would be best. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Keep in mind that insulating the exterior of your home is an important issue we must remember that the existing siding in good or average shape without rot, broken, cracked, holes, moisture type issues can be more advantageous to install the new vinyl siding over the existing surface. The old siding with its insulation value can in effect add to the energy value of the new siding. If there is a primary disadvantage to installing siding products over existing exterior surfaces I would have to say the installation process. When completing a project of this nature it is very important that the installer is a professional. The proper moisture barrier must be used and the siding must be “hung” in the proper manner to allow for expansion and contraction to prevent the "wavy or rippling" look.

If upon inspection it is determined that the existing siding should be removed the advantages continue to be a plus. Exterior siding that is not in reasonable condition can be a reason for concern. Moisture on the interior of a home is not a good thing. Damaged or bad exterior siding 99% of the time is allowing moisture to enter the framing spaces of the structure and allowing air inside. By removing this and installing the proper moisture barrier we are making the exterior sound and dry as it should be. With the application of a full thermal foam back siding product the energy savings and interior comfort will be significant, not to mention that the house will be protected so that it will last. Disadvantages once again will primarily exist if the work is not completed properly. For example, once the old siding has been removed there must be a moisture barrier wrap such as "Tyvek" applied prior to the new vinyl product. These moisture barriers must have a degree of vapor permeability to allow the house to breathe; we do not want to trap moisture in the walls.

We at CES pride ourselves in the fact that we use only high quality vinyl siding products with highly rated insulation values. Our installation crews only work for us and have many years of experience. With this in mind we KNOW that all work will be completed to manufacturer’s standards and specifications and that warranty issues will not exist.

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In most cases this application should take no more than 1 week, weather permitting.
You certainly can remain in your home while the work is being completed. Siding is an exterior process from the word go. First the house will be prepared to receive the new product. The wood or existing siding will be checked and repaired, replaced, or removed depending on the type of project. Second the moisture barrier will be applied and third the siding will be installed. Finally all sealing and full clean-up will be completed.

NOTE: You may want to remove any pictures and such on the interior of the exterior walls – there will be nailing on the outside which can create some vibration.

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In most cases this project should take 2 to 2 ½ days. Full and complete proper window installation includes removal of old windows, installing, insulating, balance, seal, wrap exterior casement, test, and full clean-up. At CES our certified technicians average 12 to 15 windows installed per day.

NOTE: if your project includes a bay, bow or special type (metal) windows – installation may take a short time longer.

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Let's start to approach this question with what normally occurs with companies in the window and siding business. The majority of these companies are constantly talking and buying from many different manufacturers. They are looking for the cheapest price available on the products they are trying to sell. They will sell these products for whatever they can get for them. They will then, once a customer has bought, scramble to find an installation crew to complete the job, again as cheap as possible. This is the "norm" in the business. We at CES are committed to the products we offer and the installation and service we provide. The Simonton and Norandex/Reynolds product lines we carry are of the highest quality and specifications in our industry. This is backed up by the numerous awards given by organizations like J. D. Powers, Good Housekeeping, and Consumer Reports.

At CES we are a DIRECT DEALER which means that you are assured of receiving the quality products mentioned above and when it comes down to installation the job will be done the "RIGHT WAY."

You spend $12,000 on 14 new replacement windows for your home. Keep in mind you got a great deal because when the sales representative was at your home the 1st price he/she gave you was $15,600. While the sales person was there he/she made a phone call to someone out there and all of a sudden, BAM, the price was $13,500, after another phone call to someone, BAM, $12,000. Your windows were installed and things were looking good, you had to pick up trash and things but all is well. Three weeks later you receive a warranty for your windows from a manufacturer you have never heard of but it is a lifetime warranty, alls well. One year later there is a problem with a window, it won’t stay open and it is fogged up. You call the company you purchased the windows from and guess what, they don’t have those anymore, they are now selling a "better" window but you have a warranty with the number on the back. You find your warranty and make the call. We are going to be positive and say the manufacturer is still in business and operating under the same name. The manufacturer says they will send a representative out as soon as one is in the area – 6 months later, here comes the manufacturer's representative, he says, "yep there is a problem here but there is nothing wrong with the window, this is because of how it was installed." Now you are back to the company you purchased the windows from, but they don’t have those anymore and the crew that put them in is gone.

As painful as it is, this is the norm. At CES, we maintain our product lines, install with our people, service what we sell, and provide labor for warranty issues at no cost. We do all of this and do it at FAIR PRICES!

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In today's marketplace there are many different types of vinyl siding available. Siding varies in several different ways: the thickness of the product, the lengths it is available, the UV protection the product offers, the type of moisture barrier or backing it has, and the warranty provided. The siding products on the market that use the typical ¼” moisture barrier backer board do provide some insulating value, usually approximately R2. This product is a more standard installation process where a ¼" foam board is placed on the surface to be sided. Once this barrier is applied the siding is installed. This does help with insulation because it is generally installed over existing siding. You should see a good improvement in your power bills. Newer siding products offer much in the way of insulating qualities. These products come with full thermal foam backing with thicknesses of ½" to ¾". These products can offer insulation values in the R4 range. By increasing the thickness of the foam barrier this type of siding installation whether installed over existing siding or installed after the removal of the existing siding you will see a marked difference in your energy cost. To be sure you are getting the real thing, deal with quality contractors. At CES, we offer the GENERATIONS foam back vinyl siding which carries an insulation value of R4. In addition it is warranted for a lifetime and even has a uniform fading benefit as a result of the UV protection included. Most of our customers experience a minimum of a 20% reduction in their energy cost and some as high as 35%.

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Our products carry a full lifetime warranty; at CES we pride ourselves in offering labor at no cost for valid warranty claims for the life of the warranty.

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The possibility may exist, but we cannot ever imagine that becoming a reality. At CES we can assure you that after a professionally installed project using our Generations siding and Simonton windows you will see a definite difference in your energy cost. Our customers will see a minimum of a 20% savings, most with a full siding and window project see much more.

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In a word, NO! At CES all workers compensation and liability coverage are carried by us.

This is a very important question that should always be asked. Ask the contractor to show you their "Certificate of Insurance" page.

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Yes, there can be tax advantages to adding replacement windows and/or siding to your home. One of our suppliers, Simonton, has excellent information on this topic on their web site: 2009/2010 Energy Tax Credit.