Exterior Remodeling in Stow, MA

What exterior work involves on a Stow house

Many houses in Stow were built between the 1960s and the early 2000s, with colonials, capes, and raised ranches making up a large share of the stock. A full exterior project often starts with one worn-out surface, but an inspection usually turns up related issues worth fixing at the same time. Ice dams, wind-driven rain, and freeze-thaw cycles take a toll on roofing and siding here, and older window units are a common source of drafts and condensation during a Stow winter.

A roof replacement can reveal rotted rake boards or sheathing that need repair before new shingles go on. Siding that looks tired from the street may hide water damage behind the old layer, especially on north and west walls that take the brunt of nor’easters. The real protection is the work beyond the visible layer: ice and water barrier along the eaves, a continuous drainage plane under the siding, and flashing details that keep bulk water out of the wall assembly.

How we plan and run a Stow project

Every Stow project follows the same steps, so you know what to expect before we start. The project manager measures the house at a free in-home visit, and the written proposal lists the exact products, colors and scope before any work begins.

• We measure the house and discuss what you want fixed or replaced.
• Everything we plan to install is listed in the written proposal, down to the color.
• We pull the building permit and schedule town inspections.
• Our in-house crew installs the work, never subcontracted labor.
• Old material, nails and packaging are hauled off, and the site is tidied every day.
• The job ends with a walk-through where you check the work with us.

Choosing siding, roofing or windows: the decisions that matter

Three decisions matter most for Stow winters and nor’easters. For siding, fiber cement holds paint longer through freeze-thaw cycles than wood, and board-and-batten or lap profiles both fit the town’s mix of capes and colonials. Homeowners we work with in Stow often choose James Hardie colors such as Arctic White, Night Gray and Riviera Dusk.

Roofing choices start with the ice-and-water barrier the Massachusetts code requires along eaves and valleys. GAF asphalt shingle systems with synthetic underlayment and ridge venting handle snow load and attic ventilation in one assembly. For windows, double-hung and casement units from Harvey or Andersen carry an Energy Star rating that matters when heating season runs from October into April.

What we install on Stow houses

Most of our Stow projects include James Hardie lap siding in colors like Arctic White, Cabernet Red and Night Gray, along with a board and batten accent wall. We install GAF asphalt shingle systems on the roofs, and homeowners often ask for Therma-Tru fiberglass entry doors.

• James Hardie fiber cement lap and clapboard siding, with one board and batten vertical section.
• GAF asphalt shingle roofing with ice and water barrier along the eaves and valleys.
• Therma-Tru fiberglass entry doors on several homes.
• Trex composite decking on porches and rear decks.
• PolyIso insulation on low-slope roof sections that needed it.