General FAQ

An exterior remodeling contractor is a professional or company specializing in the renovation and improvement of the outside of a property. Our work focuses on enhancing the appearance, functionality, and durability of a building’s exterior.  Northern Lights Exteriors is comfortable completing one exterior trade or has the experience for multi-trade exterior remodels as well.

Northern Lights Exteriors provides Roofing Services – installation and replacement of roofs using a variety of materials we know hold up in Colorado including:  Asphalt, Metal and more.  Siding Services: Installation and replacement of siding materials including James Hardie Fiber Cement, LP Smartside Wood Composite, Metal, and Stone.  Windows and Doors Services: Installation and Replacement of windows and doors to improve Energy Efficiency, Security, and Aesthetics.  Lifestyle Deck Services: Design and construct outdoor living composite deck spaces.  Painting Services:  Exterior painting to refresh the look of a property and protect it from the elements.  Masonry Services:  Work with stone as a decorative exterior element.

Simply put, if you work with a company like Northern Lights Exteriors for all your exterior trade needs you will reduce stress and the hassel of working with multiple contractors.  You will have a single point of contact for communication and cordination of your project.  No pointing fingers if something isn’t right – only one contractor completed the work.  This will help with uniform standards and accountability throughout the project.  Bundled services often allow for bundled pricing which can be more cost effective for the property owner.  Using a one-source contractor like Northern Lights Exteriors will also allow for a project to complete quicker because there is no waiting on multiple contractor schedules to align.  You have one, us…and we are coordinating multiple crew schedules to keep things moving along efficiently.  The homeowner will love the holistic approach.

We hope to be able to answer all of your questions. However, some policy information can only be given by your insurance agent. NLE is happy to provide any company information required by your agent.

We recommend that we handle it for you. We have found that our claims processing provides the best possible outcome for our clients. Although you can be as involved in the process as you like, NLE will be there to handle your claim every step of the way.

Northern Lights Exteriors will deal directly with your insurance company to settle your claim for an amount that can cover the cost of your roof replacement. We use the same estimating model as insurance companies, so we can price your roof according to standard insurance rates.

It is possible that unseen portions of your roof may require replacement and the cost of your project may increase. Northern Lights Exteriors will document the unanticipated damage, notify your insurance company, and continue with the build. All relevant documentation will be sent to your insurance company, and they will include the required additional funds in your final settlement check.

All items that your insurance company has elected to replace will be listed on the claim paperwork (adjuster’s summary) you will receive from your insurance company. The materials included in your paperwork may be different than your estimates. When reviewing your insurance paperwork, NLE will customize your project to include all items on this summary, while staying within your insurance settlement budget.

Insurance claims summaries may be inaccurate because they may not take specific local building codes into consideration. Insurance adjuster’s often rely on the expertise of local professional contractors like NLE to help them create accurate settlements. It is important that NLE representatives review your insurance paperwork in a timely manner so that inadequacies in your settlement can be immediately resolved with your insurance company.

Getting a new roof on your house is easier than you might think. Many projects take only one day and are not of major inconvenience to you!

1. All roofing materials will be delivered to your house 1-5 days before your build date.
2. Northern Lights crew will arrive on the morning of your build date to begin work. (Typically 8:00 AM)
3. The dump truck will be backed up to the front of the house to allow old shingles to go directly from the roof to the dump truck.
4. All vulnerable surfaces, items, or landscaping around the house will be covered with tarps.
5. All shingles will be torn off, placed in the dump truck for recycling, and the wooden decking of your house will be inspected.
6. Underlayment will be installed directly to bare wood decking and the roof is considered dried in.
7. Shingles and all roof accessories will be installed, including installation of Ice & Water Barrier in vulnerable areas such as vents, pipe jacks, around chimneys, and in valleys.
8. Job site is cleaned of all debris. The entirety of your property will receive multiple sweeps with hand magnets and magnetic rollers to check for nails.
9. Northern Lights Exteriors will complete a certificate of completion to your insurance company, releasing the remaining balance of your insurance settlement to you.

Northern Lights Exteriors is a full-service contractor that handles exterior house remodeling needs. Our services include Siding, Windows, Decks, Roofing, Paint, and Gutters. Having one-source for all your house remodeling needs will make the project run smoother and more efficiently from a scheduling perspective and can also offer cost savings to the homeowner.

There are many ways to update your 1960’s ranch style home that are on-trend. With a little exterior love to siding & windows the curb apppeal of this style of home can be improved which will give a homeowner a renewed pride in their home and increase home value and curb appeal. By updating the exterior of the home there is also room to improve energy efficiency and save money on utilities.

If you are thinking about an exterior remodel the best way to begin the project is by finding a contractor that can handle all the trades on the exterior home. By working with one contractor you’ll eliminate scheduling issues, finger pointing if something does come up after the project is complete and can save some money.  Make sure you see proof of multi-trade work that the contractor has completed as many will say they can do this but you want someone with experience to eliminate issues and this will also ensure a homeowner won’t get hit with lots of change orders becasue a company like Northern Lights Exteriors has the experience bidding these types of projects and know what they cost.

There are so may cool ways to do a split level exterior remodel. Using a siding material that allows for architectural differentiation.  Mixing a James Hardie Lap Siding with a Shingle Siding or Board & Batten and/or using metal for accents and other features on the home can greatly improve the curb appeal and home value.

If you are ready to do a split level exterior remodel modern project, materials like James Hardie Artisian Siding  or Vesta Metal could be great options. There are also window brands that offer on-trend modern colors on both the inside and outside casing. Work with a company that has experience with mixed media and offers a multitude of manufacturers to get the look you are going for.

If you really want to improve the look of your mobile home, check out our before and after single wide mobile home exterior remodel we did in Colorado. By adding a James Hardie siding material along with new windows this home is now the envy of the neighborhood.

On average, siding installation projects take 7-10 days. Factors that will determine how much time your project will require include the type of siding you’re having installed, the size of your home, what the weather is like during the installation period. Our siding crews will have anywhere between 3-8 people completing the installation and cleaning up.

Absolutely! As we mentioned above, there’s no one “perfect” siding option that’s ideal for every customer but there are products that are better for the Colorado environment than others. We’ll help you select a siding product that suits your specific visual preferences, HOA requirements, and budget. We offer an extensive selection of siding materials, which includes James Hardie fiber cement, cedar, metal, and LP SmartSide wood composite. Each type gives you an extensive array of profiles and color options to choose from. We’ll walk you through all of these potential siding designs as needed to help you settle on one that you love. We also can assist with 3-D modeling once you have narrowed down your selections.

James Hardie Siding Board Colors come in a Statement Collection or stocked colors for identified market areas (will be different based on location in North America), Dream Collection (700+ custom color options made just for your project), and the Magnolia Collection (currated colors from Chip & Joanna Gaines) specifically designed for James Hardie board.

When deciding to work with a James Hardie Fiber Cement board make sure you have a contractor that is experienced in James Hardie Siding Installation. Northern Lights Exteriors has very specific crews for this particular material. This product must be installed per James Hardie best practices in order to maintain the 30 year warranty on the board. Make sure you chose an Elite Contractor and President’s Club Member that has 10+ years of experience installing this product to eliminate a lot of potential issues.

James Hardie Siding Installation needs to be completed by crews that have experience installing this Fiber Cement board. Installing James Hardie requires specific tools and best practices to maintain the 30 year warranty on this siding product.

The colors of James Hardie Siding will be determined by the market you live in. Northern Lights Exteriors offers the following stocked Statement Collection options: Arctic White, Cobblestone, Navajo Beige, Khaki Brown, Aged Pewter, Night Gray, Monterey Taupe, Timber Bark, Rich Espresso, Mountain Sage, Evening Blue, Gray Slate, Boothbay Blue, Light Mist, Pearl Gray, Iron Gray, Countrylane Red. There are also Dream Collection custom color options and a Magnolia Collection of colors curated by Chip and Joanna Gaines.

James Hardie Shiplap Siding is an install option that Northern Lights Exteriors offers. A shiplap look can be created with a Cedarmill or Artisian Collection board. Some clients like to install over their entire home, and some like to use this “look” as an accent. We’ve done it all and can help determine what would look awesome for your specific property.

Stocked James Hardie Color options will include market specfic colors from their Statement Collection as well as 700+ custom Dream Collection and Magnolia Collection colors curated by Chip and Joanna Gaines for James Hardie only.

If you really want to improve the look of your mobile home, check out our before and after single wide mobile home exterior remodel we did in Colorado. By adding a James Hardie siding material along with new windows this home is now the envy of the neighborhood.

James Hardie Siding Installation needs to be completed by crews that have experience installing this Fiber Cement board. Installing James Hardie requires specific tools and best practices to maintain the 30 year warranty on this siding product.

James Hardie Artisan Siding is now offered in Colorado. This custom siding offering stands out with a custom look and comes in a variety of profiles including Shiplap, V-Groove, Square Channel, and Lap. This product comes primed and ready for painting.

You may have heard of and are asking what is James Hardie Siding. This material is a Fiber Cement product that has a Class A fire rating, keeps pests and animals out, resists hail damage, and comes with a 30 year board warranty and a 15 year color warranty. One of the best options on the Colorado market.

James Hardie Cobblestone Siding is a color offered in the Denver market as part of the Statement Collection and is stocked and readily available. Many people choose this as a main color when they don’t to put a bright Arctic White on the home but still want to stay in the color family. This is a also a color that is often used for trim.

James Hardie Lap Siding Sizes vary. This product comes in a 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch. The sizes pertain to the width of the plank board, which affects the visual reveal when installed. Some of the sizes mentioned are custom and are not available and stocked. As a James Hardie Elite Contractor and President’s Club Member, we can assist you with availability and pricing.

If you are looking for James Hardie Lap Siding Installation information we recommend that you contact us as we are the Elite Contractor and President’s Club Member in the area. Because this product is a Fiber Cement board, certain tools and install requirements must be met in order to maintain the 30-year board warranty. Specialized and experienced crews like ours are highly recommended.

Yes! There’s a game to watch out for, and you’ll hear it on radio commercials and when some companies’ sales people visit your home. They’ll say: “We’re running a special! It’s only $199 per window, while supplies last.”

What they’re doing is called “bracket pricing.” What that means is the company charges the same price for windows that range from, for example, 31” to 40” wide. Then they’ll have another price for 41” to 50” or whatever.

What this means in practice is if you happen to have 40” wide windows, you may be getting a good deal, but 32” windows will be a bad deal, because you’re paying the same as the 40” people pay. Why do companies do bracket pricing? Because it’s fast and easy to use in a sales pitch.

We do things differently. We measure the actual window sizes you need, and order those exact sizes. When companies have showrooms and giant inventories of window sizes, who do you think pays for all that inventory sitting around? By our not having all that money tied up in inventory, we can get you better pricing. If you need a certain window today, then go to the big-box store and try your luck. But if you’re able to wait a few weeks, we can get you precision pricing for your exact window needs.

Above we talked about “bracket pricing,” how that can cause you to overpay, and how we use precision pricing. A close cousin to that is the salesperson who suggests that you should get one kind of window for your entire house. It sounds logical, right? You want windows to match, right?

Well, it’s another sneaky way that you can overpay. Think about it: your home has windows that are in a fixed position. They may point east, or west, or southwest or whatever, but they don’t move around a whole lot. What companies don’t tell you is that you need the most-efficient windows where they get a bunch of light, and for other windows that are more shaded or facing north, you can do just fine with good but lower-priced windows.

It makes sense: your car doesn’t have the same windows on all sides, because you need an expensive windshield to withstand everything, but your back or side window can be simpler. Yet most window companies are happy to sell you on the top-efficiency windows for your entire house. We not only have precision pricing, but we do precision matching of your need to the right window.

Of course, all the windows we recommend will have a nice, consistent look; it’s just that the internal characteristics may be different.

Yes, unfortunately. They often make one big mistake, and it’s that they do not ask homeowners why they want to replace their windows. Any person who’s studied sales techniques has been taught to leave well enough alone: if you have someone who wants to buy a product from you, write up the order and don’t ask why! Otherwise (according to the sales training), you may make the prospect rethink the reasons, and possibly decide not to buy.

Here’s another way that we’re different, and maybe it’s one reason why we have hundreds upon hundreds of reviews from customers. (You can read as many as you wish here.) We will ask you questions that help us to understand what are the issues with your windows and what are your goals for new ones.

For example, if you said: “I want new, top-of-the-line windows because look at these ones we have now—they once were pure white but now look almost yellow.” If we heard that, we’d look hard at your windows, and we might say: “Your windows are yellow because the manufacturer used recycled vinyl. If you like how these windows work but just want them to stay white, we can get you new windows made from virgin vinyl, which will stay white. That will save you money over the true top-of-the-line models that are made for Alaskan weather, not Colorado weather.

We love it when we can suggest a lower-priced alternative than what the customer had in mind: it has a way of making a happy customer forever.

Yes and no. Yes, if you happen to need precisely the type of window that they have on sale at the moment, then their pricing power might benefit you. But often they will have an amazing advertised price for one particular window, in order to get traffic in the door. As soon as you want anything at all that’s different—well now, that’s a special order and the prices are much higher.

Still, we urge you to shop around, including at those big stores. But be careful! You might get a window person in the window department, or you might get some guy who works in plumbing and is covering for the window person who’s out sick that day. You may get great advice—or advice from a plumbing guy.

At Northern Lights we have two window specialists with a combined four decades of experience in…windows! They know all the features under the sun, and which ones have worked well for homeowners. They will help you to cut through all the options and tradeoffs and arrive at options tailored to your exact needs. They’re kind of our secret weapon when it comes to making homeowners happy with their replacement windows.

That’s a great question, but also a tough one. As you know with the packaging and marketing of any product, sometimes the flashy stuff doesn’t work as well as you hoped. Looks can be deceiving.

To some extent, price is a general indicator. If you are seeing advertised prices that seem too good to be true, you should be highly skeptical. If you’ve shopped around and most companies are charging in the ballpark of $300 for a certain size and type of window, how can these other guys charge $99? Either they’re cutting corners by using inferior materials, or they’re using offshore labor that comes with few protections for workers, or the build quality is shoddy because of pressure to meet production quotas. Maybe all of the above.

On the other hand, a super-high price might indicate extraordinary craftsmanship that’s worthy of some Beverly Hills mansion, but it might just mean that you’re overpaying for windows with slick advertising.

It’s a good idea to do some online research and see if you can find actual homeowner experiences with the windows. Let’s say you’re thinking of buying the Trailblazer window by Acme (made-up names). Go to Google and type in “problems with Acme Trailblazer windows” and see if anything comes up. Or type in “Acme window issues.” You get the idea.

It’s also important to look at the reputation of the company installing the windows. Does the company have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau? Does it have only a handful of stale, general reviews, or lots of specific, current ones? Does the company advertise heavily? Constant advertising costs a lot of money and you know who ends up paying it.

We’re biased, but we think the best advertising is word-of-mouth after a job is done well for a fair price.

No. We don’t do “hard-sell.” Sure, that approach can work on some people, some of the time. But pretty soon customers know they’ve been pressured, and that’s no way to build a business based on long-term relationships.

When reviewing our Exterior Home Remodeling FAQ, we expect you to take your time and think about any proposal we put in front of you. Take all the time you want, go home, sleep on it, and shop around. Ask us questions and then call us up to ask us some more. We understand that you’re just being a careful consumer, and we respect that, because we’re careful consumers, too. Besides, we’ve been helping homeowners in Colorado for nearly 20 years, and we’ll still be here when you’re ready to take the next step.

The truth is it depends on the season. As you know from living in Colorado, we have lots of severe weather, and sometimes it can last well into the spring. Then, as soon as people feel like the warmer weather is here to stay, there’s a crush of activity. The same happens when a hailstorm blows through, and suddenly hundreds of homes need new roofs or other things replaced.

If you call us, we can give you an up-to-the-minute answer, but generally speaking, we can deliver and install your windows in 4-5 weeks. Because we work with the largest window distributor in Colorado, we’re confident that our delivery time will be as short as you’ll find just about anywhere.

That’s often not necessary, but it will depend on the construction and condition of your current windows. Often we are able to replace the glass and the interior portions of a window, but can keep the existing frame that’s attached to the house. In cases where serious storm damage has occurred, or there is some issue with the way the window was originally installed, we might recommend replacing the window all the way down to the wood studs. When it’s not necessary, we prefer to avoid doing that.

We hope you’ve found these questions and answers helpful. If you have other questions, please ask away, because we love to talk about windows! Contact us today.