Author: Lydia Hayes

Stick-built single family homes with brick veneer tend to have a good return on investment. They have curb appeal. Natural brick, in various colors, makes a home look pleasant, warm, and inviting. Add beautiful landscape and sidewalks, a wreath on the door, charming decorations, a welcome mat, and envision a picture postcard view of your home.

Advantages of homes with brick veneer:  About 150 to 200 years ago, some homes and large buildings and multi-family housing complexes were built with solid masonry construction. Solid masonry is also referred to as double brick, solid brick or brick, and block construction. This type of construction consists of an inner layer and an outer layer of brick. Within the USA, since the early 1900’s, through the 1940’s, the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, in mainstream building construction, it became economical to move away from solid masonry construction. However, due to fire and building codes, even in the 21st century, still existing are large multi-family residential units constructed of solid masonry and there are some older single-family residential homes built of solid masonry still standing and occupied today. Differing opinions expound the benefits and disadvantages of solid masonry/brick construction. Nevertheless, within the USA, these dwellings, though rarely found, remain in use today. In other parts of the world, i.e., Canada and Europe, solid masonry is still used today.

However, most modern single-family residential homes are not made of solid masonry/brick construction. Instead, homes are constructed with a combination of stick-built wood frame and brick veneer construction. Some people use brick veneer halfway up the front of the house and cover the rest of the home with siding material. Or, they choose to fully cover the front of the home’s exterior with a brick veneer and the rest of the home with vinyl or wood siding because there is less cost involved. Other people choose to cover all four exterior sides of the home with a full brick veneer from top to bottom. Using full brick veneer does increase construction cost but it also seems to appeal to homeowners and buyers as well. Homes with full brick veneer have curb appeal and a higher resale value than homes without a brick veneer. Some of the main advantages of a brick veneer home, of course, are curb appeal, durability and strength, insulation R-factor value, security, and resale value. People really like the fact that brick homes are traditional, charming, and they last a long time.

Brick Masonry Company

Disadvantages of homes with brick veneer:  There are a few disadvantages of using brick veneer on a home.

Brick veneer homes require maintenance and they are more expensive to build. Every few years, the home’s exterior should be reviewed and the brick veneer should be evaluated for cracks and the deterioration of mortar joints. This is especially true for homes with brick chimneys and fireplaces. According to research, brick masonry does not do well in earthquake-prone regions. In addition, poorly maintained homes tend to be prone to drainage, mold, and water damage.

At some point in time, the garage door will need to be replaced. The composition of the door deteriorates. Or, the door is warped or rusted and it becomes necessary to replace it. Unsightly doors detract from the home’s appeal and value. To achieve the best fit, buy the door, track, and necessary parts at the same time. Replacing a new door on an old damaged track system does not work. It can be done but not without a lot of effort. Sometimes the old tracks and springs may be salvaged and reused with a replacement door. However, it is better to purchase a new smooth track, springs, and hardware along with a new replacement garage door. New door systems come with a warranty. Cost varies with regard to quality, size, and poor composition. For example, a wood door price will be different from a metal door price. An average price range is estimated from $500 to $2,500 for the replacement door system. Add to that a new opener, additional warranty coverage, and other premium options. Replacing a door will cost approximately the same as installing a new door. There are several factors to consider. Geographic location, materials, quality of installation, and the type of door will affect the estimate. Add to that the removal and disposal cost of the old door and hardware. Consider replacing the automatic door opener. A new electric door opener may cost as much as $100 to $400. If the old door opener still works, there may be no need to install a new one. However, that should be determined before purchasing the new door and hardware.

Purchase an insulated door with a high R-value. If the garage is attached to the home, an insulated door can help with energy costs. Increased R-value provides added benefits of noise reduction and heat retention. A higher R-value translates to increased energy efficiency, reduced heating cost, and a better return on investment. Avoid purchasing poorly constructed single layer doors or ones made of inexpensive materials. They will easily become dented and will not last long. Opt for a door that will last five to ten years. Garage doors come in various grades. Thicker doors with superior insulation will cost more and last longer than an inexpensive lower grade door. Doors come in four styles, i.e., swing-up, sliding, roll-up, or swing-out. The most popular choice is the roll-up style.

Columbia Garage Pros.

Solid wood garage doors made of cedar, hemlock, or mahogany give an attractive appearance to the home’s exterior. For added beauty and curb appeal, purchase one that matches the wood color of the home’s entrance doors. Other door materials include wood composite, vinyl, and steel. Composite doors, an ecosystem friendly choice, are made from recycled materials. They are paintable and less expensive than solid wood doors. Low-maintenance vinyl doors are also paintable and economical. The most common is the steel door which is durable, paintable, and requires insulation.  Choose wisely before making a purchase and hire a professional garage door service company.

Fence Repair and Installation is not a simple task. Fence repair cost varies from as low as $150 to as high as $400.  Depending upon the size of the repair job, repairing cracks, replacing boards and rails or entire sections will cost, DIY estimates, from $125 to $370 not including paint and other repair materials. Fence material will cost from $10 to $30 per linear foot. For best results, hire a skilled fence repair and installation expert. Professional fence repair experts cost more than DIY prices but it is money well spent. To find a licensed fence company, ask friends or family for recommendations and references or research online. Ensure the company is licensed, insured, and knowledgeable about digging where there are buried cables, pipes, or gas lines. Check local building codes and property lines to avoid encroaching on neighbors.

Plan everything in advance of the project’s start date. To avoid rainy days and lightning storms, check the weather forecast. It is easier to dig holes when the ground is soft but not muddy. If the fence project is large, consider renting power tools. Small fence repair projects can use manual tools. Common fence repair tools are hammers, nails, levels, chalk line, tile shovels, post hole diggers, aka, clam-shell diggers, ready-mix cement, buckets, and wheelbarrows. Fence material may consist of wood, most common, or metal, aluminum, vinyl, wrought iron, or other material. DIY fence installation labor cost may run from $7 to $12 per linear foot. Professional fence installation labor cost will be nearly double of DIY cost. However, many fence companies offer deals that defray installation cost. Professional installation of a wood fence, depending upon type of wood, style, and perimeter specifications, can cost from $3,000 to $7,000. For wrought iron type fences, allowing for perimeter dimensions and material variations, average cost will be from $3,500 to $4,500.

City and county codes allow for fence heights to be from 3 ft. to 8 ft. Fence heights of 3 ft. at the front property line and 6 ft. at the side and rear property lines should not require a building permit application. Fence heights over 6 ft. tall, will require submittal of a building permit application. Post holes are dug to 2 ft. 4 inches deep with posts approximately 6 ft. to 8 ft. apart. Before starting a fence project, check municipal codes to ensure the fence height is within the acceptable limit.

Whatever you decide to do when installing a fence, always use licensed contractors and ask around if you are unsure about a particular fence company.  Surely someone can point you in the right direction when selecting a fence contractor to do the job.  Use the internet as a great resource when looking up companies.  There are often numerous reviews online so you will surely be able to find one with a good reputation.

For a homeowner, a concrete driveway is a wise property investment. Durability, low-maintenance, strength, and longevity are the benefits of choosing concrete over asphalt or gravel. Though more expensive, poured concrete outlasts cobblestone, brick, or concrete paver materials. For attractiveness and long-term maintenance, concrete can be colored, stamped, and sealed. Often mistaken for cement, concrete typically consists of stone aggregate, water, and lime-based (Portland cement) composition. The size and texture of the stone aggregate largely depends upon usage of the product. Commonly used for driveway and sidewalk surfaces, finer grades of stone aggregate material vary with relation to the desired texture of the concrete slab. For smooth concrete surfaces, fine sand particles to small gravel aggregate are used. Cement contains a pulverized powder mixture of clay and limestone. Depending upon thickness and content, removal of an old reinforced concrete driveway, down to the base, takes more than eight hours with an estimated cost of up to $3,500.

After the concrete mixture is poured, leveled, and smoothed, it begins to harden. The curing period, best at 70°F, takes a few days but lasts for several months. To reinforce the concrete slab, rebar, or steel reinforcement wire, is embedded prior to the hardening and curing phases. Other strengthening and drying agents may be added to the concrete mixture. Recycled and crushed concrete may be used, as a sub-base layer, in combination with new aggregate, in new Portland cement. For the four inch cement thickness of a 20 ft. wide by 40 ft. long two-car driveway, the cost is estimated as more than $5 per square foot without added expense for increased depth, sloping, or curves. Thicker concrete is suggested for driveways containing more than two cars or heavy-duty vehicles. Concrete is best when poured at temperatures above 50°F. Pouring concrete during freezing temperatures compromises quality and strength. The driveway surface will degrade faster than if the concrete was poured and cured during warmer temperatures.

In warmer climates, relative humidity, excessive moisture, and free water, or too much water in the concrete mixture, will compromise quality and durability factors. Heat, cold, moisture, mold, salt deposits, and air circulation affect the lifespan of concrete slabs. Sealing concrete ensures protection against damage, corrosion, and staining. Do not apply a seal until the concrete has properly cured. Once applied, wait at least 72 hours before walking on the sealed surface. On an annual basis, sealing can cause excessive cracking and peeling. Seal a concrete driveway only every four to five years. Properly applied sealing products may last five to 10 years.

Either way, a concrete driveway should last a very long time.  If done properly by a respected concrete company, a driveway will be something that you will not have to worry about every year.  Take your time when choosing a concrete company as there are many out there that are simply interested in lining their pockets with your hard earned money.