Outside In

I've been getting estimates for replacing my roof and replacing my siding.  I would like both of these things to be done before winter sets in.  You can do both of these things in the winter, but I want the house sealed up to save on energy bills and shingles have a strip of tar on the back that sticks to the shingle below it, thus it's better to do a roof when it's warm out.

I've decided on a roofer, Rhoden Roofing here in Wichita, because they did my dad's roof and I like that they spray paint the pipes, vents, exhauts, etc that come out of your roof to match the color of your shingle.  It makes them less noticeable.  My roof currently is in really bad shape.  The house was built in 1986 and the roof looks original.

You can see the spots where the texture has completely worn off of some of the shingles and many of the corners are curling up.

Before I have the roof done I'm going to replace the fascia.  That's the board that runs along the front of the eave.  When a roof is installed they put a piece of metal flashing along the corner where the fascia meets the roof.  I don't want to damage or dent that piece of flashing by trying to replace the fascia after the roof is installed.  A lot of the fascia is rotten and it some places the 2 x 4 behind it is also rotten.

Rotten 2 x 4.  The silver and red on the right is the sheathing of the house.  That's the stuff under the siding.  In most houses it's plywood but mine happens to be foil covered foam insulation.

In this picture you can see the new section of 2 x 4 that I put in.  The white thing at the top is the old flashing.  I just peeled it up so I could work easier.  It will be removed with the old shingles.

I'm trying to decide on a color.  I don't know whether to match the brick or go with something a little more neutral.  I think I'm leaning towards neutral (the one on the right).

As for siding, I haven't found anyone I really like yet.  I want to be able to buy the siding materials myself from a lumber yard and then pay someone to put it up.  I know if I let a contractor buy the materials they will mark them up to make a profit.  I don't need them to buy it for me, it's not that hard to call a lumber yard and buy it yourself.  The lumber yard even delivers it straight to your door.  Easy.  I don't like paying someone else for that.