Exterior Renovations
Efficient from beginning to end.
San Francisco’s unique architecture is celebrated worldwide.
The city is built on more than 50 hills, has multiple climate zones, and seismic activity on a regular basis — it's hard on its buildings. So, especially here, every home project should begin with the roof, as moisture can penetrate for a variety of reasons and cause dry rot, structural damage, and mold. Avoid unpleasant surprises, and don't put off water damage causing repairs until a better time.
Structural Walls
The first thing most customers have to think of in a remodeling project are the walls on the outside of the home. Even the highest quality wall treatments and framing materials tend to require repairs and periodic renovations after a decade or two of exposure to the elements like wind, rain and daily heat cycles. Inspect your building's exterior and get the feel of what your priorities are prior to budgeting a remodel.
Siding
Many homeowners ask which is the better option for their external remodel: paint over existing finishes or installation of new siding?
On one hand, there are many options for external paint that can give you the look you want for your home, but paint jobs are only as good as the finish material they are applied over; inspect your exterior finishes to determine the true condition of the finishes and structural framing underneath. In cases where structural damage to framing is minimal or non-existent but finishes are no longer sealable or paintable, you may choose to install new siding over existing exterior wall finishes. This will outlast paint by decades but requires far more labor for installation and may not fit the personality of your desired home.
Stucco
Evaluation of your existing stucco is extremely important when considering restoration of the existing stucco finish versus complete rebuild. Many older stucco finishes are installed with a lack of waterproofing membrane (house wrap) underneath. If your stucco is severely cracked and damaged with no proper underlayment, it may make sense to rip off all existing finishes and install a new system with proper waterproofing.
Stucco is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to renovate your walls and create a unique look for your home. In addition to this exterior cement finish, you can consider adding stones, which may create a more appealing style and last a longer duration, though it requires more work at the time of installation.
PACM (Presumed Asbestos Containing Material)
Many exterior finishes in San Francisco and the Bay Area are finished in what appears to be concrete siding or concrete shingles. If you suspect that your exterior finishes may be asbestos-containing, it is important to get them tested before removing, disturbing, or damaging them. Disturbed Asbestos is a very serious issue and it is important to have PACM professionally checked out as a first step in planning your exterior project.
Windows
Windows can be the source of leaks that cause serious structural damage. Inspecting your windows and your existing window installation and determining if your windows are repairable or replaceable is key to success in an exterior renovation project. In many cases, updating the windows to a more modern and smarter system can be a very simple project with a big payoff, and it's probably an essential step in enhancing the look and feel of your home.
Sealing & Paint
Many houses that have not been regularly maintained develop issues that let moisture into structural framing due to the end of expected service life or other issues that are caused by the use of low-grade paints, lack of primer or improper installation. It is important to inspect your building's exterior and determine the true condition of your sealant at connections as well as the condition of the paint layers you currently have.