Service · New Orleans
Exterior Renovation
in New Orleans
Exterior renovation in New Orleans is consequential in a way that is easy to underestimate until something fails. A roof installed without proper underlayment fails in the first serious rain event; a window flashed incorrectly drives water into the wall cavity for years before it surfaces as rot. We specify materials for the Gulf Coast climate and install with the kind of detail that holds through what this region asks of a building envelope.
Scope
What's included
- +Roof replacement: architectural and impact-rated shingles, standing-seam metal roofing
- +Underlayment and ice-and-water shield installation to current wind-uplift standards
- +Siding replacement: fiber cement, engineered wood, and vinyl with appropriate vapor management
- +Window and door replacement with proper flashing, sill pan, and air-sealing
- +Soffit, fascia, and gutter installation
- +Exterior painting as a standalone service or in combination with other exterior work
New Orleans
What we consider
Working in Greater New Orleans means designing for a specific climate, housing stock, and building tradition. These are the factors we factor in.
01
Louisiana is in wind zones that require specific fastener patterns and uplift ratings. We specify roofing products and installation methods that meet current IRC wind requirements for the New Orleans area, and we document this for insurance carriers.
02
Humidity and UV intensity along the Gulf Coast accelerate the degradation of low-quality exterior products. We recommend fiber cement over vinyl siding for most applications in this climate — it holds paint longer, resists moisture, and doesn't expand and contract at the same rate as vinyl in extreme heat.
03
Historic district rules in New Orleans (enforced by HDLC) restrict certain window replacements, roofing materials, and siding changes on contributing structures. We are familiar with local preservation guidelines and can navigate the approval process.
04
Post-storm insurance work requires careful documentation. If your project is insurance-related, we work with adjusters to ensure the scope is properly captured and the work is installed to current code — not just to the prior condition.
Questions
Common questions
How do I know if I need a full roof replacement versus a repair?
We'll inspect and give you an honest assessment. A roof with isolated damage — a few missing shingles after a wind event, a flashing failure at a penetration — often warrants a repair. A roof with widespread granule loss, multiple layers of shingles, or material past its rated life is a replacement candidate. We don't recommend replacements to homeowners who need repairs.
What roofing materials hold up best in the Gulf Coast climate?
Impact-rated architectural shingles (Class 4) and standing-seam metal are our two preferred systems for this region. Metal roofing, in particular, is an excellent long-term investment in coastal Louisiana — it's fire and wind resistant, lasts 40-plus years with minimal maintenance, and is increasingly preferred by local insurers. We'll walk through the tradeoffs for your specific situation.
Does window replacement actually lower energy bills in New Orleans?
Yes, though the mechanism here is different from colder climates. The primary gain in a hot, humid climate is solar heat gain reduction — low-SHGC glass keeps the afternoon sun from driving your cooling load. Properly air-sealed windows also reduce humidity infiltration, which matters for comfort and for the long-term health of the building envelope.