Then just follow these steps:

Remove broken glass window pieces.

• Wear gloves.
• Remove glass one piece at a time.
• If it’s just cracked, remove most of the putty first, in small sections to avoid damaging the window frame.
• If the putty is uncooperative, use a heat gun or soldering tool to soften it.
• Use a putty knife or 5-in-1 tool to clean thoroughly around the edges so nothing will obstruct the new pane.

Install the new pane.

• If it’s too tight it could break, so measure carefully and cut just slightly smaller.
• If your window frame is old wood, applying a coat of linseed oil will help keep the new putty from drying out. Brush on the oil and allow it to soak in before proceeding.
• Apply a thin (1/16”) film of glazing compound on the inside edge of the frame where the glass will rest, to ensure the most weather-right fit, then set the pane in place.
• Tap in new glazing points roughly four inches apart, making sure they’re snug without putting too much pressure on the glass.

Now it’s time to reglaze.

• Scoop some glazing compound into your hand and roll it to make a pencil-size snake.
• Lay the putty along the inside edge of the frame and gently press it into place.
• Smooth the edges at a 45-degree angle and allow to dry.
• Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you can paint right away or how long you need to wait.

Unless your frame is in really good condition, it may not be worth your time to replace the pane, because you’ll still be left with a less-than-optimum window in terms of function and weather-resistance. Replacing the entire broken glass window might be a more cost-effective and “paneless” solution.

Photo Credit: Creating Character

Trust is critical, so consider all these points when selecting your contractor:

Experience matters.  

How long have they been in business? How much work like yours have they done? Just because they’re good at something else doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for residing a house.

Ask about scheduling. With spring right around the corner more homeowners will be starting projects. If your contractor is too busy, your job may suffer in terms of timing or quality, or both.

Pick someone local.

A community neighbor is certainly the most knowledgeable about our New York weather and other conditions that can affect your siding decisions. That’s a confidence-builder.

Check that they have all the licenses, insurance and other certificates required to do business here, and make sure everything is current.

Reputation is everything.

Check them out with the Better Business Bureau. Ask if they belong to local or national trade associations.

Get referrals from friends, family, home improvement store or other knowledgeable professionals. Ask for references, and take the time to check them. Make sure some are several years old, as problems aren’t always immediately apparent. Ask former customers not only about the work but also how well the crew cleaned up after themselves.

Doing your homework here will help you discover contractors to avoid, too.

Get multiple estimates.

Compare prices but also consider how forthcoming each candidate seems – do they take the time to ask you questions or bring up special points for you to consider? You want someone who has your best interests in mind.

Remember that the lowest price is not necessarily the best option, especially when you’re making an investment the size of residing a house. Saving too much up front will very likely cost you dearly later on.

Ask questions.

A quality contractor will happily answer all your questions and offer knowledgeable recommendations to help you choose siding materials, colors, etc.

Residing a house is an important decision, so don’t rush the process of selecting your  contractor. If they’re in a hurry for you to sign a contract, simply move on. And when you find the right one, don’t forget to get everything in writing.

Getting ready.

Once you’ve selected the siding you want, your contractor will estimate all materials needed – siding, trim or other millwork, supplies, etc. – and total cost. You’ll get a written proposal that also describes when and how the home residing work will be done and what kind of warranty you’ll receive.

Residing can usually be done right over walls that are flat and in good condition. However, exterior walls that are not entirely flat or that are faced with materials such as masonry, metal, vinyl or composite materials will need furring strips. Your new siding will be nailed to the furring.

The actual home residing process is pretty straight-forward.

Your contractor will:

• Deliver the materials, supplies, a dumpster to contain and haul away your old siding or other refuse, scaffolding and probably a porta-potty. This usually happens the day before work begins.
• Remove your old siding.
• Inspect your home’s exterior for water damage or other problems.
• Install a new vapor barrier.
• Install your new siding, one side or section at a time. If weather is sketchy, work may be done in smaller increments so the smallest portion of your house is exposed at any given time.
• Conduct a walk-around with you to inspect the work.

Local climate and related conditions are of paramount importance to ensure the best siding choices and highest quality installation. Your local professional contractor is your strongest ally here. He or she knows our sometimes-intense New York weather and can knowledgeably guide you in the right direction.

In fact, sun, rain, snow, wind or salty coastal conditions can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. You may learn your home is located in a specific “micro climate” that further affects your home residing choices. If your home is significantly more exposed on one or two sides, that can also affect your decisions.

That’s why hiring a pro is so important. Why invest in home residing if you aren’t going to protect that investment with a total quality process from beginning to end? Knowing you selected the best materials and a reputable contractor will keep you in your “comfort zone” for many years to come.

How color works.

• Light, medium and dark tones used together provide contrast, as do entirely different colors.
• Overall, your eye “sees” from light to dark.
• Strong contrast or light and dark colors together make your house look smaller. If you care about that but want a darker body color, choose a mid-range for trim, not white.
• A bright white house on a large property can look lost. Using a natural, less stark color will help your house look more “at home” in its surroundings.

Consider your home’s features when choosing siding and trim colors.

• Avoid colors you don’t like.
• How many colors you choose depends on your home’s style, size, architectural detail and your own taste. Simple styles can carry up to three colors (body, trim, accent), whereas more detailed homes often look great with more than three. You can use two body or trim colors, either contrasting or different shades of the same color.
• Choose colors that blend with permanent features such as your roof, brick or stone work.
• Since lighter trim attracts the eye, that may be a good choice if you want to highlight architectural features. You can use more than one color.
• Use body color for your garage door, or a tone slightly lighter or darker, so the garage doesn’t become your focal point.
• Soffits and eaves can be a different color from your window trim.

Need some ideas?

• Drive around and look at houses to see what appeals to you.
• Look at magazines.
• Check out online resources such as James Hardie® Design Center that lets you see what various architectural styles look like with different colors. Or use special software to see how colors would look using a photo of your own home. Remember colors on your computer’s screen may not be “true” so it’s always important to look at real paint samples.
• Get professional advice from your siding contractor. They’ve had lots of experience seeing what happens when various color combinations are applied to different home styles.

Above all, enjoy yourself! Choosing siding and trim colors can be lots of fun.

Better appearance.

Siding comes in different styles and colors, so residing a house can retain exactly the look you have now or you can make a dramatic change, maybe even to something you’ve never even thought of. And new siding looks, well, new – more so than a fresh coat of paint or stain.

Lower maintenance.

New siding materials virtually eliminate future need for painting or staining, saving countless hours of work and plenty of money over the years. Of course you’ll still need to keep your home’s exterior clean, but periodic touch-ups will do the job nicely.

Increased protection.

Residing a home ensures it’s fully protected from the elements, including the sometimes-harsh weather we have here in New York. You can also expect better noise reduction and markedly stronger resistance to impact, insects and fire.

Resale value.

Curb appeal is a major contributor to home value. That’s critical in these times, when you need to do everything you can to retain and build value. Top industry publications note that replacing your home’s siding can provide the greatest return on investment for remodeling projects totaling more than $1200. If the siding is made of fiber cement, ROI can be as high as 85.6%.

Energy efficiency.

Thanks to new materials, newer siding methods and innovative technologies, residing a house can significantly lower your energy costs. Residing also offers the perfect time to add or upgrade insulation, further increasing energy-efficiency benefits as much as 25%. Your home will even breathe better.

Environmental impact.

Greener manufacturing materials and processes result in products that are better for your home, your family and our environment. Fiber cement is not only more sustainable, its greater durability means it will last longer.

Residing can entirely rejuvenate any older home, keeping it strong and secure for decades to come. If you’re considering residing a house, this may be a good time to think about replacing windows and doors, too. A little research will help you make a savvy decision and help you enjoy substantial savings long term.

There’s no time like the present, as the saying goes. And in fact, winter can be a smart time to start your residing project. Especially if you’re beginning to have problems with your current siding, you want to start planning replacement before things get worse. Even if it’s just time for a change, advantages to starting now include:

You’ll have time to do plenty of research.

Get all the information you need to make the best decisions. Learn about siding options and talk to your local professional for advice and insight. Get work references and ask about warranties. After all, you want the best products and workmanship.

Your contractor may have time to do the work now.

Even in winter, residing a house is a definite possibility. Work schedules are uncrowded in the off-season, so you may be able to get a better price, and the work may get done faster.

Residing a house in winter means your contractor will tear off and replace small sections at a time, to minimize exposure to the elements. You might experience a bit of delay if our New York weather intervenes too much, but it’s well worth inquiring about starting soon.

Waiting till spring or summer could cause significant delays and perhaps higher prices. For obvious reasons, it’s the most popular time for residing a house, which means you’ll have to get in line, waiting to start your project and also waiting for the work to be completed.

So if residing a house is on your mind, go ahead – call your local contractor and get started now. And in a few months when the new leaves and flowers appear, your home can have a new look, too.

There are four materials commonly used to manufacture siding – wood, aluminum, vinyl and fiber cement. Wood, of course, is the enduring standard. It’s especially beautiful and imparts a special “presence,” especially to older and historic homes. The newest product on the market is fiber cement, and like many innovative new technologies, it represents a big leap forward.

To help you decide which is the best siding for your home, let’s take a look at how these products stack up against one another.

Attributes

• Vinyl and aluminum are often used to cover deteriorated wood siding, but they don’t achieve the same look as wood. Vinyl can crack under impact if it’s cold outside. Aluminum is durable but color can fade, chalk or run off and it’s noisier. It also dents.
• Wood is susceptible to rot, warping or splitting and insect damage.
• Fiber cement is tough, durable and “green.” It comes primed or pre-finished and is unfazed by wood’s typical problems.

Appearance

• Aluminum and vinyl come in a range of styles, textures and colors. The colors cannot be changed later on.
• Wood also comes in many styles, textures and finishes and can be painted or stained.
• Fiber cement is virtually indistinguishable from natural wood. As with wood, you can also get trim and millwork to distinctive detailing.

Upkeep

• Vinyl and aluminum cannot be painted. Cracks or dents must be repaired or replaced in sections. Pre-finished aluminum is prone to chalking, but clad aluminum can have up to a 35-year warranty.
• Wood is high-maintenance, requiring regular painting, staining and caulking.
• Fiber cement is extremely low maintenance. Warranty is commonly 50 years.

Cost

• Vinyl can be the least expensive.
• Aluminum is moderately priced, though plastic- or vinyl-clad is noticeably more expensive.
• Wood can be moderate to higher priced, depending on the variety, style and finish. T111, wood siding made from plywood, is much less expensive.
• Fiber cement ranges from moderate to high pricing.

As with all investments, the best siding for your home ultimately depends on your goals and your budget.

With Marvin, it’s all about you. The company’s Built around you® philosophy underscores their long-standing dedication to providing the most livable and cost-conscious solutions. Every detail is designed to ensure that the look, fit and finish of your replacement windows are exactly what you had in mind.

Consider these factors:

• Marvin replacement windows are literally made to order. You can choose from a multitude of shapes, sizes and designs that will match your home’s architectural style and ensure the kind of performance you expect.
• Marvin uses the latest top-quality materials, including fiberglass, the industry standard that provides all the joy of wood without all the inconvenience.
• Highest quality finishes eliminate or minimize problems, so your windows will require the least maintenance in the years to come. You’ll find an extensive selection of factory colors, or you can paint or stain your windows for a truly unique look.
• Marvin’s varied hardware options offer styles from simple to elegant, in finishes that complement any interior or exterior design.
• Marvin replacement windows offer plenty of options that meet exacting Energy Star standards, for maximum energy efficiency under even the worst weather conditions. Specialty glass options further ensure top efficiency and can even increase privacy without sacrificing natural light.
• Marvin’s Signature Services bring their philosophy to bear every step of the way from your first question through installation. But it doesn’t stop there, because every Marvin warranty assures future peace of mind, too.

Marvin replacement windows are the result of an unremitting commitment to innovation and progressive manufacturing techniques that respect our environment.

You can rest assured that your local Marvin dealer also adheres to this customer-oriented philosophy. They’re part of the local community so they understand our New York weather and other conditions that can affect homeowner choices. You can count on them to provide Marvin’s legendary personal service, with knowledgeable experts whose goal is to help you find the best replacement window solutions for your home.

Fiberglass embodies all of wood’s wonderful qualities – in fact, it can be nearly indistinguishable. But fiberglass is impervious to water so it won’t warp, rot or peel. After all, fiberglass boats aren’t adversely affected by water, even after sitting in it year after year. Fiberglass is at least as durable as steel, but it’s not prone to unsightly scratches and dents.

Fiberglass entry doors come well-protected. Some are even available with up to a 5-year finish warranty. But depending on which direction your entry doors they face, they often take the brunt of our worst seasonal weather. Direct sunlight and heat, freezing temperatures, rain and/or snow, drying winds, etc. can all affect the clear finish regardless of what’s underneath. So even fiberglass may need a little attention over time.

Your manufacturer will provide instructions for maintaining your fiberglass entry doors, and also for preparing your doors to be painted or stained, if you want to do that, in which case you’ll need to add a clear topcoat. Follow these instructions precisely, and follow the paint or stain manufacturer’s instructions exactly, too.

For optimum results, work only during moderate weather – 50-90 degrees – in a shaded, wind-protected location. Your first step should be to clean your door with special fiberglass cleaner, then rinse with damp cloth and dry the door completely.

An annual inspection will let you know if there are any minor issues with your fiberglass entry doors. After a few years you may notice the clear coat dulling slightly, but you can easily renew it with by applying a new coat.

Fiberglass entry doors are naturally low maintenance, but keeping them clean will help them last even longer and keep your home looking trim and beautiful, too.

Consider these five important points:

1. Strength and durability

Most industry experts agree Ultrex® “pultruded” fiberglass is the toughest material on the market today. It far surpasses wood, vinyl and wood-vinyl composite, making it your best choice for areas that experience high or gusty winds. And that superior strength allows the narrowest frame design, giving you more natural light and a broader view to the outdoors.

2. Stability

Fiberglass has an extremely low thermal expansion and contraction rate. It won’t shrink or swell, so you can avoid future problems like drafts and annoying sticking. You’ll get superb weather-tightness, even in our New York weather conditions that can be hot, cold, sometimes-harsh and often unpredictable.

3. Thermal efficiency

Fiberglass is not only the most stable material, it’s also extremely energy-efficient. Like wood, it doesn’t conduct heat, so windows never feel hot or cold indoors.

Energy Star-approved fiberglass replacement windows with LoE glazing can reduce your heating and cooling costs as much as 30%. Optional upgrades can provide even more benefits. You’ll be more comfortable year round, and your windows will help pay for themselves.

4. Quality of life

Marvin fiberglass windows can’t be damaged by insects. They won’t fade, chalk or peel, and they won’t warp, dent, decay or corrode. Corrosion can be a serious problem in salty coastal areas, especially if seasonal temperatures vary widely.

All this means fiberglass windows are virtually maintenance-free. Goodbye annual window refurbishing and weekend fix-it projects, hello more free time.

5. Reputation

Thanks to their exceptional quality, fiberglass windows come with a top-quality warranty. But Marvin fiberglass windows give you even more – confidence you’re purchasing from a top-rated company.

Marvin is a decades-old industry leader whose name is synonymous with quality. Marvin windows reflect a long tradition of quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and neighbor-to-neighbor style customer service. And the Infinity line has long been considered the leader of the pack when it comes to replacement windows.

When you combine the low maintenance and high performance of Marvin fiberglass windows, you get total value.