Hail damage

[trotsky]

Had a pretty nasty hailstorm come through a few weeks ago. Golf ball sized for about 15 minutes. The adjuster came by yesterday and confirmed the entire exterior of our house is shot. We will get everything replaced - siding, gutters, and roof. And this was quality steel siding! Only one side of the house was damaged, but because they cannot match it, they have to replace the whole thing. Dang! Anyway I wanted to get some advice. As long as we're getting a brand new exterior we are thinking we'll change colors. Never did like the color scheme that came with the house:



Too brown. And the beige color was more of a yellow-beige in real life. Ugly. Anyone have any suggestions? As you can see, it's a split-level. Built in 1968. Partial brick facade, so we can't clash with that too much. We'd love to return to a color scheme more typical of that time but I have no idea what was popular in 1968 - I was still a couple years from being born. Who can help?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. if you are going with the same type of siding

you should look up on the internet how many colors are available. I do know there are more colors available today than there was ten years ago.And in sixty eight there were just a few.
Also suppliers that sell the siding have displays and literature with pictures to demonstrate color schemes. i would do a internet search and visit siding suppliers in person to look at what they got? I mean why wait for the contractor to sell you what ever a preferred suppliers has! The kick back thing you know?! Some contractors get more of a kick back by dealing direct threw a preferred manufacturer.
I would suggest you find out what's available in color and material for yourself!

Start by searching all the different siding manufactures ,than look at their web sites! See what they got.

Good luck.

[trotsky]

3. Our roofing/siding contractor will be coming over tonight with samples.

We're hoping he has some color combos at the ready. :)

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

6. A contractor question for you

Is you contractor your contractor or some contractor recommended by your insurance company? Over twenty years or so ,I have turned down insurance company's for different reasons. The insurance company is always looking to spend less. The recommended cap to the bid. The home owner picks up the difference. The insurance company may say to me, can you do this job inside that number?That number may not account for the unforeseen areas of the bid which are written into the contract ,this area of the contract is all about possible cost elevation ,having to do with that which cannot be seen until exposed.The unforeseen in some or many cases can double the original estimate.


I am thinking about cost elevations and so fourth.

It would be in you interest to find out for yourself what kinds of material -colors are available on market. Quality and last-ability are what it's all about. Manufactures pay kick backs to contractors that move their products. That is sales, and that is also free money to a contractor looking to get more for less work.

You should get at least three or four contractors out to your home to bid the job. If you find the contractor,rather a recommended contractor by your insurance company, than, your contractor is working with you from the start,not your insurance company!

good luck!

[sandnsea]

2. Here's a good article

We chose paint for my daughter's house last year. It took quite a while. We looked at houses, used the online paint tools, got samples, the whole nine. In the end, we chose a general shade and then took the advice of the painter for the specifics. I think we're currently in a 60's retro trend, so most current colors would probably be reflective of '68. I was 11 then and remember lots of different colors on houses. I lived in California. I imagine your area has its own color trends to consider as well. Sounds like a fun project.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/03/24/home-garden/doc47e3de14a0474870535632.txt

[trotsky]

4. Very helpful article - thanks!

Yeah searching for "60s colors" on the web yields some rather bright results. Lovely colors, but definitely not something I'd want on the outside of the house, at least since I don't live on Miami Beach!

[Stinky The Clown]

5. 1968 was **really** the 70s already

If you search for classic 60s colors, you'll get much more of a 'late 50s' vibe. Nominal eras and calenders just don't perfectly align.

[Digit]

7. Have you looked into hardi-plank siding? It is paintable.

I have a Dutch style split level, but the siding is actual wood. The bottom level is all brick but a brownish brick with some other tannish colors mixed in.

The siding was painted almond and the front door, shutters, attic vents were burnt umber. Blech!

It was difficult to find a color that went with that awful brick!

I heard of a "colorist" at a local Benjamin Moore Store and took pictures of my house to her for help.

The siding is now like a salmon color, the shutters are a light blue and the front door is a deeper rose. I would not have picked these colors in a million years but it looks so cottage-like and I love the results.

Anyway, the reason I mentioned the cement/fiber siding is that on the plus side, you can paint it and totally change the look of your home whenever you want. I would also think it would stand up against hail better. I also heard you get a break on your insurance, but I don't know if that is true.

[hippywife]

8. I second the Hardi-plank siding.

We had a hail storm a couple of weeks ago, too. 90 mi/hr winds and hail flying in through broken windows. We used cedar trim and painted it. It looks like it was sandblasted. The Hardi-plank looks like nothing ever happened. It's too awesome and comparable in price to the other types of siding.

It comes pre-primed and you can paint it any color you want.

Really...check it out! :hi: