Minneapolis/St. Paul Siding Specialists Since 1996

When it comes to siding the AMEK Construction business philosophy is simple: Embrace the special needs of each individual client and deliver a product that reflects the client’s needs and tastes by getting the siding that's right for the house.

Each new siding project gives the AMEK family the opportunity to show that they value relationships over the bottom line. Twin brothers Andrew and Matt Schmidt began the business in 1996 roofing homes themselves, and their brother Andrew joined a year later after siding homes himself. They have built the business based on the four tenets of honesty, integrity, trust and relationships.

Contact AMEK today and learn for yourself how they earned their reputation.
We offer a revolutionary new fiberglass siding system that keeps water from seeping your home. Call 952-888-1200 to learn more.
Stucco Mold Remediation
We specialize in repairing construction defects that cause water damage and require mold remediation.
Call 952-888-1200 for a free consultation.
Latest From Our Blog

Boral Home Exterior Siding Products are Well Suited to Midwest Climate

Residential, Roofing & Siding, Siding

Our AMEK sales force is excited to offer Boral TruExterior siding products to our clients.  

 “We’re always looking for exceptional siding materials suitable to Minnesota’s climate,” said Paul Schmidt, VP of AMEK Exteriors. 

 The Boral Siding Products Advantage

AMEK Exteriors Boral Channel Siding
Boral Channel Siding

Boral offers home exterior products for siding, fascia, trim, soffits and rake boards. Some siding choices offer products that are historically and architecturally accurate to the original wood counterparts. The advantage of Boral is that the material is highly resistant to deterioration, mold and mildew, and to pests.

 AMEK sales team is impressed with how well it looks and how it doesn’t require specialized tools to install, Boral is a good fit for areas that come in contact with the ground or for hard-to-reach peaks and columns because Boral is made to be low in maintenance.

 Boral Manufacturing Makes a Difference 

Another advantage of Boral products is that a fly-ash and polymer process is used to make the products. This means that they consist of 70 percent of recycled materials. In addition, the poly-ash formula provides stability and durability which minimizes long-term problems..

 Choose Boral to protect your home 

Boral Historical Products
Boral historical products used for siding, trim and barrel roof. Photo by Kim Smith.

“One of the weaknesses of some products is the range of expansion and contraction due to temperature and humidity differences,” noted Paul.  “Boral uses more stable materials which reduce the chance of water intrusion and deterioration because pieces can be fit together tighter and because the material is impervious to water.”

Contact us if you would like to hear more about Boral products.  Our team of experts can help you determine if Boral products are a good match for your exterior project.

Is It Time For A New Roof?

General, Roofing, Roofing & Siding, , , , , , ,

Since the Minneapolis-St. Paul area had a mild winter, it’s a good time to get a head start on your home’s spring checklist like looking over your roof. Once you are on a ladder or a lower roof section, what are some signs you might need a new roof?

New_asphalt_shingle_roof

Signs to look for during a roof inspection

  • Scan for loose or missing shingles. These can be caused by improper nailing methods, missing nails or wind damage.
  • Look for spots of roof buckling. The shingles will appear ‘wavy’ and not flat in spots. Roof buckling is caused by moisture affecting the underlying boards of the roof.
  • Check the ground around your home or in your gutters for shingles or pieces of shingles. An excessive amount may indicate the need for a roof replacement.
  • Watch for large gaps between shingles. As shingles age, they shrink which can cause water and moisture to penetrate under the shingles causing roof damage.
  • Examine shingles for cracks which occur after storms, with aging or with improper ventilation.
  • Survey for curling shingles. Upturned corners on asphalt shingles can typically be seen from a ground-level view of the roof.

Is your roof 20 or more years old?

Even though shingles might have been rated for 30 or 35 years, it doesn’t mean they will last that long. Installation, roof pitch and direction, and home location are all factors.

“Our wide variances in temperature and moisture in the Midwest shorten the lifespan on most shingles,” according to AMEK Exteriors co-owner Paul Schmidt. 

“Our wide variances in temperature and moisture in the Midwest shorten the lifespan on most shingles,” according to AMEK Exteriors co-owner Paul Schmidt. “It’s always a good idea to be doing regular inspections of your roofing materials after 20 years to be watchful of potential problems.”

What about the parts I can’t see?

Well, the parts of your roof that you can’t see can be even more crucial to protecting your home.

Flashing_issue_with_roof_and_siding

“It’s more about what you can’t see than it is about what you can see,” according to Paul who specializes in remediation projects involving construction defects. “ 

“It’s more about what you can’t see than it is about what you can see,” according to Paul who specializes in remediation projects involving construction defects. “ We commonly fix work done by other contractors who did not install proper kickouts and flashing. One of the most common problem areas is where a roof line and siding are integrated.”

Another potential problem is attic spaces that aren’t properly ventilated causing ice dams which can cause water intrusion and shingle damage or causing trapped moisture which leads to deterioration of the walls or roof decking.

Roofing_material_Standing_seam_steel_roof
Steel Roofing on Modern Farmhouse

Types of roofing material

Looking beyond asphalt shingles may have advantages in lifespan or durability in high-wind or high-moisture environments. For more info on roofing material choices, here’s an overview.
AMEK Exteriors is ready to help when it comes to assessing the state of your roof this spring. Contact us today for a free roof inspection.

Distinctive Curb Appeal: A Case Study in Minneapolis Design & Exterior Renovations

Case Studies, Design, Residential, Roofing & Siding

Overview: Being in a new suburban development means there can be a lot of similarity in the house styles. This family wanted to give their home a face-lift to add some uniqueness to the neighborhood. In addition, they desired a front porch to sit and relax. AMEK Exteriors was invited to bid on this Minneapolis design & exterior renovation because the client had seen other projects being done in their neighborhood. In the end, we gave the home more balance, texture and color to create the enhanced curb appeal they were looking for.

Minneapolis-roofing-and-siding-services

Original Built Date: 1997

General Description: Rambler single-family home

Initial Analysis: The first consideration was diminishing the prominence of the garage and sliding the focus to the main entry. Because the couple intended to stay in the home for a long time, another strong factor was creating an enduring distinctive look using quality long-lasting, low-maintenance roofing and siding products and implementing solid construction techniques.

Design Plan: One of the primary design goals was to shift the main thrust and focus of the garage to the front door. To do this, we pulled out the roof line in the front to create an inviting front porch. Eliminating one of the gables and enlarging the remaining one balanced out the proportions to the garage gable. Selecting the stone first provided a base for all other color choices. Adding the earthy yellow color and columns added depth to the home’s appearance. In addition, the garage doors were upgraded with windows and a darker color to connect with the stonework and to provide additional contrast. Using James Hardie siding including shakes allowed for solid, durable cladding with the option to change the color if desired.

Challenges & Solutions: In order to build long-lasting columns, additional time and cost were involved to put in footings that went approximately 4 feet below grade and several feet above grade. The steps and porch floor were designed to make sure there was an overhang so water drains off the edge beyond where the stonework is. AZEK pieces known for their low maintenance were used for trim and also for the porch ceiling. Creating symmetry between the existing and new pieces was important, so the new peak over the front door had to be aligned properly to generate a unified look.

Additional Project Notes: This project was the start to a trusted relationship. AMEK has done several other projects for this client.

Notable Project Products: Buechel Fond du Lac stone, James Hardie siding, AZEK trim

Completion Date: 2010

Compare LP SmartSide vs. Fiberglass Siding

General, Roofing & Siding, Siding

A view of LP SmartSide’s front (at top) shows the wood texture and the rear view (bottom) shows how the product is manufactured.

Choosing a new siding for your home involves sifting through many options, including style and material.

If you are seeking wood siding you likely already know there are alternative siding materials for lap, shake and panel siding.

Two such wood siding alternatives are LP SmartSide — an engineered wood product — and another relatively new siding material, fiberglass.

Both LP SmartSide and APEX fiberglass siding by Marvin, give the appearance and finish of wood.

LP SmartSide is made using treating wood strands with a resin binder and compressing them to give the board superior strength while being light weight. Use of the small, fast-growing trees means strong forestry practices limits the tree acreage needed to make the siding. The process includes adding a textured face that is embossed, providing a rough, cedar-like texture at a percentage of the cost of wood.


A view of APEX Fiberglass siding’s front (at top) shows the clips used in the water management system. The rear view (bottom) provides a perspective on the thinness of the durable siding.

APEX Fiberglass siding is made using a proprietary process that begins with fiberglass filament made from sand and ends with siding material. The process includes adding a acrylic finish with the color bonded into the material during manufacturing, not applied on the finished product. This means no painting decisions and no added cost.  Continue reading Compare LP SmartSide vs. Fiberglass Siding →

Minnesota Roofing Options and Product Warranties

Roofing & Siding

The National Roofing Contractors Association suggests that homeowners take the time to understand the two basic roofing and extended warranties options for their new roofs:

1) The manufacturer’s warranty. In general, these roofing warranties cover defects in the roofing materials itself.

2) Your Minneapolis roofing contractor will provide homeowners with a warranty covering his workmanship. Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. Most reputable companies offer one year to two years of coverage, but there is no industry standard.

Shingle Manufacturers

Shingle manufacturers tend to use impressive-sounding long-term warranties to convince buyers that their shingles are the best and will last the longest. They compete over such features as the length of coverage, algae resistance, wind tolerance, and whether the warranty can be transferred to a new owner. Continue reading Minnesota Roofing Options and Product Warranties →