Superior Exterior Systems replaces and inspects failing siding in the local Portland Vancouver metro areas. Although Hardie Plank fiber cement has long been the most popular we install and inspect all lines of siding. We service all areas from Salem to Longview. Log into our website to see homes we’ve fixed and reviews. You can also see many design ideas to get some thoughts on how to give your home more curb appeal. If you have Eifs - Dryvit stucco we can help with that problem too. Visit us at http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/

Superior Exterior Systems removed Eifs stucco (also called Dryvit) & Lp siding from another home in Camas Washington. The customer chose Hardie Plank fiber cement which has definitely become the most popular siding these days. Eifs stands for Exterior Insulation Finish System and is usually found on very high end homes tat want a stucco look. Although not common in Vancouver, there are homes in Camas with Eifs and it is often only on the front because of its expense.  Eifs is difficult and messy to remove as the tiny foam particles break up and blow away in the wind so it must be contained quickly.  The problem is that around windows, door openings & entryways  rainwater gets in and doesn’t get out creating rot or mold problems on the sub-wall.  The Lp on this home was definitely older and in bad shape from the strong winds coming thru the east gorge.  As a local professional siding contractor, Superior Exterior Systems is always interested in education homeowners on siding problems.  For more information and pics of Eifs synthetic stucco, Lp, mold or rot, call us at (360) 687-8936  (503) 285-0875 or visit us at  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ Thanks for looking.

Superior Exterior Systems recently finished another project in the Portland Oregon area. This homeowner called us because he had mold growing in the original siding which was Lp composite and was affecting his kids.  At first I was leery in that it would take a lot of mold to affect a child but I have never had allergies.  Under the Lp siding there was indeed a strong mold build up near her bedroom.  Lp was a  popular choice for builders when homes were built in the 80’s & 90’s.  If your home was built then and you live in the portland - vancouver metro areas, there is a strong chance you may have it.  On this project, we installed new gutters and a considerable amount of brick accents in addition to Hardie Plank fiber cement siding.  Hardie Plank has become extremely popular over the last decade.  The warranties are good but it must be installed correctly and most important the rain screen, prep work and what goes on BEFORE the siding is installed are critical.  Be careful though because in this economy, as companies have had to diversify and cut costs, many contractors don’t specialize in siding but now try installing it.  Watch out for  companies that came from the new construction market that have migrated into the remodel market.  Some of these use unskilled migrant workers simply because they can be paid less an therefore can give bids that are just too questionable and cheap. There song may sound great but the problem is you won’t know until they show up to start work.  Either way, when Hardie is installed well the product itself is without questions the most popular siding product in the northwest.  When removing Lp the prep work and treatment of the home is different. For more info feel free to call the experts at Superior Exterior Systems at  (503) 285-0875 or (360) 687-8936 or log into  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ Thanks for looking.

Superior Exterior Systems would like to thank all its clients and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Years. Thank you to all our troops and Veterans for your service now and in the past. We welcome you back with open arms and our thanks could never be enough for your service. http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/

Superior Exterior Systems recently removed Panel Lp siding that was failing and put up Hardie Plank in Vancouver Washington. This is the style of Hardi Plank that people commonly refer to as T1-11 or “panel siding”.  When removing panel style Lp siding careful consideration should be taken that the sheet rocking screws on the inside of the home don’t start backing out  although it is inevitable that some will.  These interior screws can start to come out just enough to break the skin texture (also called orange peel) on the sheet rock inside the home.  The reason is that those screws have been in the studs and undisturbed for generally 15-20 years and, although a siding contractor should always be careful, the tension and vibration being created by removing the exterior panel Lp siding on the outside causes the “skin”  to show cracking on the inside.  The chances are that you already have sheet rocking screws that have cracked a bit just by the home settling. It’s a good idea to very carefully walk around the inside of your home and mark the areas that have already cracked from settling before you have your Lp siding replaced.  Note these with your siding contractor before work has started.  Take into consideration the age of your home and know that settling over time can easily cause this. On the home we finished in Vancouver, we were glad that only 6 screws started backing out on this 2 story home when we removed the panel siding and installed new Hardi Plank panel. For pics and more information feel free to visit http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ or simply call (360) 687-8936 or (503) 285-0875. Thanks for listening.

Are you selling or buying a home? Superior Exterior Systems has inspected many homes for both buyers and sellers. A home is the biggest investment you can make. Before you buy that dream home, make sure it’s not going to become your worst nightmare.  You may want to have one of our licensed inspectors check  the siding especially if you think it is Lp siding, Eifs stucco, t1-11 or any other type of siding.  We have even inspected homes that have Hardie Plank which was only 6 or 7 years old.  Don’t get fooled just because it may be a high end home.  Eifs stucco looks good on the outside but you’ll want to know what is happening underneath BEFORE you purchase.  Our inspections are free so you may want to know before you list the homes for sale if you are thinking of selling. Our inspectors have high end digitally calibrated moisture meters that can help you know if rain has been getting underneath. For photos of some homes feel free to visit  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/.

A local siding company,  Superior Exterior Systems just finished updating another home in Portland PDX.   This one got new siding, a new architectural shake roof and new double paned vinyl windows.  Although we specialize as a siding contractor in the portland vancouver area, Superior Exterior Systems also contracts other aspects on the exterior of your home.  If you need multiple exterior projects done like siding, roofing & windows its always better to contract with one company to reduce your cost since every company will have operating costs and instead of paying 3, you are only paying 1 .  This siding project went well with no problems and only minor rot found on the south wall which we expected.  The customers existing t1-11 siding was about 17 years old so it was pretty soft  in some areas. The original windows were aluminum so they were  happy to finally get energy efficient vinyl windows. If you need to have your home inspected or want to see photos of design ideas on how we can update your home, feel free to visit us http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ or simply call us at (503) 285-0875 if you live in the portland metro area or (360)687-8936 if you live in southern washington.

Superior Exterior Systems just finished a project  removing vinyl siding on a large home in the Livingston Mountain area.  The homeowner had leaks coming in thru their vinyl siding.  As a siding contractor in the Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon metro we are truly un-biased as too which siding homeowners pick.  In addition to the leaks, the homeowner didn’t like the look of this particular vinyl which had been on for about 14 years and was clearly a low end vinyl.  I should mention that many of the higher end vinyls look exactly like real cedar.  This one didn’t.  They ended up having us remove all the siding and install popular Hardie Plank fiber cement siding.  We found substantial dry rot on a structural support beam under the siding that faced south.  Most homes have their problems on the southern exposure and this was no exception since it was up on a hill.  The windows were originally not flashed properly most likely to the fact that codes were much different 14 years ago. We’re glad we have another happy customer.  If you are having any problems with your siding and need a free inspection call us at (503) 285-0875 or (360) 687-8936 or visit us at  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/

Last year oregon started to enforce a rain screen ordinance to be applied under siding installations for what they consider to be proper rain drainage away from the building envelope sub wall.  This will not apply to any vinyl siding since vinyl is not hard nailed tight and already has space and has weep holes under the bottom of the drip edge.  Washington has not accepted rain screen as having validity and siding contractors in the southern washington area are pleased about that since it really doesn’t do anything even though it  sounds impressive  with a name like “rain screen”.  Its pretty gimmicky and clearly another way for the Oregon Contractors board to fine companies and create revenue for the financial difficulties the state of oregon has created for years.  Either way it must be done in Oregon.  A few house wrap manufactures have come up with a cost effective answer by simply adding small raised grooves to their house wrap.  I  recently spoke with a person who built a home by Tillamook directly on the beach and he said that the county inspectors and siding installation company didn’t know or care and didn’t use any special house wrap rain screen.  That was plain dumb. By the coast I  see the value since rain often gets in areas by strong winds blowing it sideways.  When rain gets behind the siding it is almost always around the windows and unless it comes out near the bottom of the window it will travel down behind the siding until it gets out or slowly evaporates. Evaporation will not happen if rain is consistent.  Although Superior Exterior Systems uses an oregon approved rain screen in the portland area, the best thing to do is to flash the window properly to code. We then go a few step further in more flashing for all around protection.   It doesn’t take much time so its not more expensive.  Hardi Plank fiber cement has definitely become the most popular product used by reputable siding contractors over the years. But remember it needs to be installed properly with extra flashing care in our rainy climate. So the bottom line - if a siding company is not telling you about rain screen and the exact way they flash, regardless of which state you are in,  you need to keep looking. Be careful with cheap.  Don’t sugarcoat cheap with a words like cost effective.  Don’t ever except a bid on the back of a business card.  We would love to help you.   For more info and pics of rain that has gotten behind siding, click on  http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/ Thanks for listening.

Over the last 2 decades a lot has changed for siding contractors & homeowners as to which siding product is most popular.  Cedar siding was popular for years but we in the northwest generally don’t like the cost and on going maintenance to keep it looking good. High end vinyl siding was more popular years ago than it is now but low end vinyl had a tendency to give it a bit of  bad name.  Some low grade styles tend to look “mobile home-ish”.   Higher end vinyl sidings look much more real and have impressive high wind ratings.  Without question, “Fiber cement” stole the  market years ago.  The 2  most popular fiber cement brands available in town are made by Hardie Plank and Certainteed Weatherboards.  To most homeowners they are hard to tell apart.  Older Hardi plank was un-primed which was a huge mistake with all our rain here in the portland - vancouver areas.  It also had a very artificial grain texture years ago.  Weatherboards has always had a very realistic grain & look.  Hardi clearly stepped up in its grain texture and appearance which is why they are hard to tell which is which from 10 feet away for most homeowners.  Hardi Plank also definitely has the name recognition as some people, even realtors who should know better, often call Weatherboards Hardie Plank.  For more information,details and pics of homes feel free to call us at (503) 285-0875 or (360) 687-8936 or simply log into    http://www.superiorexteriorsystems.com/