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Home Repair Design Dilemma Exterior

1980s Straight Ranch needs updates

5 years ago

My Small Ranch home (26 X 40, 1040 SQ FT) is in need of new windows, exterior doors, siding and roof. All are original to home when built and are 30+ years old. My question is what gets done first? Roof first? Windows? I want to do each project separately. I was thinking windows and doors first for energy efficiency. The roof is structurally sound and does not leak.

Thanks for the help...

Comments (3)

jhmarie
5 years ago
It does not matter as long as the roof really is sound. A leak in a roof can do a lot of damage. I had a leak I did not know about - and while the roof has been fixed and every thing is sound, I still have to go back and have soffit repair and some repair done behind the wood siding - and it will be expensive.
katinparadise
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I would do siding first. If the house is not well insulated, it will give you the opportunity to add more insulation on the outside. This could precipitate the need for different sized windows. Then windows and doors, then roof. If insulation is not needed, then windows and doors first. Check to see if there are any tax incentives for more energy efficient windows, doors, or added insulation with your city. There may be federal tax credits available as well. Depending on income, some cities offer grants and low interest loans for improvements as well. My parents got a new hot water heater, furnace, insulation, and refrigerator. They could have gotten windows and doors if needed as well. Of course I'm not implying that you may need help, just letting you know it's out there.
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Izzy Mn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I would do the windows and doors first. Replacement window trim is done in aluminum, of course usually white, most versatile color. But have seen replacement windows in a dark color and trim in dark color. Have in mind what color you want for siding. I would think the siding is easier to install after windows replaced otherwise the window installers have to mess with the siding some.

Soffits/overhangs are usually done in aluminum so have that done before siding too.

The roof, I assume you mean shingles. Im not sure, maybe easier to pick color for shingles once siding is on... But, when I had my shingles replaced the roofers had to mess with my siding a bit because of flashing needed to be redone, to bring it up to current code, where my garage roof abuts my house, against siding , so maybe do roof before siding, and let roofers know you are replacing siding.

I would imagine it would be cheaper overall to do windows and siding at the same time because of some overlap in procedures but I don't know that. Get estimates on both separate and at same time.

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