Exterior Remodeling

Size matters less than height, structure and material. A ground-level deck is far cheaper per square foot than a second-story deck, which needs taller posts, deeper footings and code-compliant guardrails.

Cedar costs less up front and needs re-staining every few years in Colorado sun. Composite costs more initially and largely removes that. Railing is the line item people underestimate: cable and glass systems can cost more than the framing underneath.

Usually. Decks above a certain height require a permit and inspections, and anything with a roof structure almost always does, because it carries snow load and often ties into the house framing. Requirements differ between Fort Collins city limits and unincorporated Larimer County.

There is a second approval most people forget: your HOA. In the newer Timnath, Windsor and south Fort Collins developments, decks, patio covers, fencing and even paint colors often need architectural committee approval first. We flag that early, because an HOA review cycle can run longer than the build.

The two things an exterior here has to survive are hail and ultraviolet exposure at altitude. Fiber cement and engineered wood both perform well and hold paint far longer than older materials. Steel is the most hail resistant of the common options. Vinyl is cheapest but can become brittle in deep cold and is more vulnerable to hail.

Whatever goes on the wall, what determines whether it lasts is underneath: house wrap, flashing at windows and penetrations, and a drainage path for water that gets behind it. Siding that fails early has almost always failed at a detail, not at the panel.

Late spring through early fall is the widest window, mostly because of paint and stain. Most coatings need surface and air temperatures above a minimum through the cure.

Siding, windows, doors and carpentry have a longer season. The practical advice is to book before the season rather than during it, because everyone in Northern Colorado wants the same weeks, and a hailstorm in June fills every calendar in the region at once.

Yes, and covered structures are where a general contractor matters more than a deck builder. A patio cover carries snow load, usually attaches to the house, and needs footings sized for both. Getting the connection to the existing roof and wall right is what keeps water out for the next twenty years.

Outdoor kitchens add gas, water and electrical runs, which means licensed trades and usually permits. One note on fire features: Larimer County issues open burning restrictions during dry periods, so a gas fire pit is usable in conditions where a wood-burning one is not.

Cedar costs less up front and looks excellent, but Colorado sun is unusually hard on it, so plan on cleaning and re-staining on a regular cycle. Composite costs more initially and largely removes that maintenance, which is why most decks being built here now are composite.

If you enjoy the ritual of staining a deck, wood is a fine choice. If you do not, be honest about that before you buy it.

Often, yes. If the framing, posts and footings are sound, replacing decking boards and railing costs a fraction of a rebuild.

What usually forces a rebuild is the structure: rotted joists, an improperly attached ledger board where the deck meets the house, or footings that were never adequate. We check the structure first, because resurfacing a deck with a failing ledger is money spent on a safety problem.

Both, and that is why one contractor is easier. Hail rarely hits only the roof. It dents gutters, downspouts, siding, window wrapping, garage doors and paint, and a claim covering the roof frequently covers those too if they are documented properly.

Start with storm restoration for the damage assessment and claim process. We handle the exterior repairs that come with it either way.