How to Inspect the Exterior of Your Home
A cornice can be any horizontal decorative trim located at the top of any building or architectural element. The term cornice comes from the Italian cornice, meaning “ledge.” A cornice usually refers to the horizontal decorative trim at the top of an exterior wall and below the roof edge of a building, but a cornice can be over a door or window. The function of the projecting cornice is to throw rainwater free of a building’s walls. At a residential home, this function is handled by projecting gable ends, roof eaves and gutters. The cornice may include decorative trim. Highly decorative trim is often called an entablature.
A column typically refers to a vertical structural element that transmits the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. A column can have certain proportional and decorative features. Columns can be structurally functional or simply decorative. Columns can be round, square, rectangular, straight or tapered. Column styles are defined by their capitals, which are the tops of the columns. If the column projects from the house wall, it is called a pilaster. The pilaster is used to give the appearance of a supporting column.
A double-hung window has two operable sashes that move. Many older and historical homes have double-hung windows. This window is a traditional style of window in the U.S. The window has two parts (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up and down inside the frame. Most new double-hung sash windows use spring balances to support the sashes. Traditionally, counterweights were used. The weights are attached to the sashes using pulleys of either a cord or chain. An awning window is a casement window that is hinged at the top. The window hangs horizontally by the hinges. It swings outward like an awning. It typically opens outward and operates with a crank.
Retrofit replacement windows are custom manufactured to fit finished openings in sizes down to 1/8″ or 1/4″ in most cases. Builders-grade windows are constructed in specific sizes depending on the manufacturer. Wood windows also have “Standard Sizes” that determine the installation and application. Custom-sized wood windows are a rarity but are the most expensive of modern window products.
Careful consideration must be made when deciding to install large, rigid sheets of insulation on older houses that do not have a continuous interior vapor-retarder. The insulation may trap moisture in the wall behind the insulation, eventually causing water damage. The moisture problem is reduced if very thick, rigid sheets of insulation are installed instead of thin ones. The thicker insulation will keep the wall warm and prevent condensation formation inside the wall. A Canadian practice is to add this type of insulation with an R-value that is two times that of the value of the wall.
Siding should be installed tight enough to prevent problems related to water intrusion, but it should be loose enough to allow it to adequately dry after a rainstorm. Good wood siding has a good drying potential. Sunlight dries out wood siding, but it does not simply cause evaporation. The sun actually drives the water into the wood. It can drive moisture all the way through the wood siding. This is why it is important for the wood siding to have good drying potential, with air movement on the backside of the wood.
Natural wood siding should be installed over building paper regardless of the sheathing materials. Building paper is a water barrier rather than a moisture barrier. It is recommended to prevent water from entering the wall cavity. Foam sheathing is a separate consideration. Caulk can be used where siding abuts openings and trim. Latex, latex-silicone blends, polyurethane, and polysulfide caulks generally perform satisfactorily. Caulks that are 100% silicone should not be used.
Your homes exterior will be expertly evaluated by The Barrie Home Inspector who has performed over 4,000 inspections. When purchasing a new property consider the Barrie Home Inspector, the premier inspector for Barrie, Alliston and Orillia.
Learn more about Barrie Home Inspections. Stop by Roger Frost’s site where you can find out all aboutBarrie Home Inspections and how you can protect your real estate purchase.
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