We have assembled these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Solar & Battery
Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.
The amount of power your solar energy system can generate depends on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy and no energy at night. However, because of high electricity costs and financial incentives, solar is smart even if you live in a cloudy city.
Unless your solar energy system includes battery storage and you are fully off the grid, you will still receive a bill from your utility. However, you can dramatically reduce your bill or even cut the amount you owe to $0 with a solar panel system that matches your energy use.
When you install solar panels on your property, you will still be connected to the grid. This allows you to draw from the grid when your system is not producing all the power you need and send power back to the grid when you produce more than you use. It is possible to go off the grid with a solar energy system that includes battery storage. Still, it will cost significantly more and is unnecessary for most homeowners.
If your solar panel system is connected to the grid, it will shut off during a blackout. This is to prevent emergency responders and electricity utility repair people from being injured by your panels sending power back to the grid. However, there are certain inverters you can buy that provide backup power in a blackout when paired with a HPH battery backup system.
Roofing
A new roof doesn’t have to match your old roof, and the opportunity to change styles, colors, and patterning are at your discretion. High Performance Homes is a roofing contractor that knows that performance is everything. Your roof defends your home from the elements, let’s make sure it doesn’t quit.
If your home needs a new roof installed, you can count on High Performance Homes for expert craftsmanship and a roof that endures for decades. Our expert technicians are standing by to help you with: Owens Corning roofing systems, re-roofing, new roofs, repairs, skylight installations, metal roofing, flat roofing, gutter installation, and roof inspections.
Depending on the age of your roof, you may be able to get away with a temporary repair. We’ll always provide as many options as possible, a replacement roof may be the better choicebut if you’re noticing any of these signs: An attic that smells bad, an obvious leak, warped, cracking or loose shingles, or missing shingles.
We’ll take the time to inspect your roof and present you with the best options. If we’re confident we can extend the life of your existing roof, our roofing contractors will get your roof back to a condition that will keep your home comfortable.
The Decking/Roof Assembly:
This is the first layer of support for your roof. Decking is made of several different materials, most often of provides plywood or OSB panels. OSB provide additional protection because shaved layers of wood are compressed with waterproof glue. This creates nearly impenetrable protection from moisture damage if higher layers are compromised.
Weatherproofing/Underlayment: The underlayer covers the frame of the roof. An underlayment is made of a waterproof membrane that acts as your last line of defense against water and your best line of defense against moisture. A poorly fitted underlayment may shrink and tear, fail to remain glued down, or leave open areas of exposure where mold can develop and get inside.
Reinforcement: Reinforcing the weatherproof membrane is key. This is accomplished using a variety of products but is most often done with a polyester, bituminous, elastomer, resin, polypropylene or hybrid layer. This is heavier than the underlayment and provides additional insulation, water-proofing, weight, and puncture protection.
Roof Covering/Surfacing: The roof covering is the final layer. That depends on your needs as a homeowner. Metal, wood, synthetic, clay, asphalt, and concrete are all viable options. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, and we’ll help you determine which covering meets your aesthetic and durability needs. With the salt-water air coming in from the Puget Sound, we’ll often advise homeowners to stay away from metal.
Too many companies try and hire jacks of every trade to cut down on costs. It might lower their costs, but it raises yours. Our roofing installers live and work off the ground. They have studied, trained, and practiced their craft, becoming veteran roofers in the process. The attention to detail and process knowledge cannot be duplicated by a multi-discipline employee.
We only use American made products.
We don’t just use American to give back to the economy and other local businesses. The U.S. crafted roofing materials we use to build your roof are designed with precision, durability, and care that other materials aren’t. This makes installation easier and helps your roof to easily reach or exceed its maximum advertised lifespan. Great materials just go further. We only use products from Owens Corning, a leading manufacturer of roofing materials. Our lines include Oakridge Shingles, TruDefinition Duration, Woodcrest, and Woodmoor.
We only install complete roofing systems.
Roofing systems do more for your home than individual components. They are designed and manufactured by a single company so that every layer works together. This improves protection over multi-manufacturer component roofs. That protection is also backed by a longer warranty. Because the manufacturer knows how those parts interact, they’ll guarantee them for a greater length of time.
Siding
There are several ways that you can prepare your home and property. These tasks can help speed up work and keep your property safe during construction.
• Clear a power outlet. The crew will need access to power for their tools, so it’s helpful to have a clear outlet available (preferably one that is on a 20-amp circuit).
• Prepare the inside of your house. Siding removal and installation will cause your walls to shake. Remove items that are leaning against or hanging on walls, and those located on shelves, as they may fall.
• Prepare the outside of your home. Move anything that may block access to your exterior walls such as firewood or patio furniture so the crew can get right to work. You should also consider removing outdoor decorations and wrapping shrubbery in landscaping canvas to prevent any accidental damage. Cutting your grass short will help your crew find nails or other debris that go astray.
• Make alternate arrangements. Construction is a loud process, which is completely unavoidable. If you work from home, you may want to consider making alternate arrangements. If you have pets, you may want to make other arrangements for them as well.
When the crew arrives, they will get oriented with your property and begin to set up work stations. Once they’re ready, their first step will be to remove your existing siding.
Some crews will only tear off one side of the house at a time to prevent leaving walls exposed to the weather. Larger crews may remove all of the siding right away.
It’s important to keep safety in mind during the re-side process. We will clean up as they work and at the end of each day, but a siding replacement project can be a messy business. Always assume there are nails on the ground and wear sturdy shoes or boots when walking in your yard while construction is underway.
During construction, we may leave scaffolding in place overnight. To prevent accidents, keep an eye on your children and warn neighbors with children to stay clear of the construction site.
The best opportunity to discover and repair damage to your home is when your old siding has been removed. These unexpected issues may seem like trouble, but it’s best to know about and fix them before your brand new siding is installed.
No contractor will know exactly what to expect without tearing off all of the existing siding. We will clearly communicate any unexpected issues.
With the James Hardie Siding Project with House Wrap we install after the siding is off and repairs are made, we may install or replace the weather resistant barrier on your home.
Finally, the crew will begin to install your new siding and trim.
Every house is different, yet a typical tear-off and siding installation project may take between 7 to 14 days. There are many things that can extend the time such as the size of your house, whether you’re using Color Plus or if it needs to be painted, and unexpected repairs. Bad weather can also be a factor and there may be some downtime waiting for building inspections. Your HPH project coordinator will keep you informed of your timeline.
Windows
Both sashes on a Double Hung window move up and down vertically and tilt in so the exterior window surfaces can be cleaned from inside your home.
A dual-pane window has an insulating glass unit that contains two panes of glass separated by a spacer and that has an airtight seal at the glass edges.
Egress requirements indicate a minimum opening size that certain windows must meet. These requirements tend to vary according to region, so please contact your local building code official for egress requirements in your area.
Our windows and doors have unique order tracking labels that are placed in the frame or sash of our products. You will need your order number when registering your warranty or submitting a form.
Baths
We do our best to minimize remodeling hassle by providing the most efficient installations on the market. Most of our shower and bath systems can be installed in just one day, but more complicated renovations might take a little more time. We would be pleased to provide an accurate estimate during your in-home consultation.
Yes. Installing our wall surrounds over your existing shower or tub walls drastically reduces remodeling time and inconvenience, saving you time, stress, and money. This method is proven safe and effective, because we first repair any damaged areas in your walls to ensure a solid and secure base. We take the time needed to ensure our installations are seamless, durable, and of the highest quality.
Bathtub resurfacing provides a temporary solution that only lasts a few years, while our solutions can last a lifetime when properly maintained. Paint-on finishes are fragile, often produce a strong odor, and can take several days to dry. Our systems, which can usually be installed in just one day, are easy to clean and extremely durable.
With proper maintenance, a HPH bath or shower can last a lifetime. Our products are made with non-porous acrylic that is highly-durable and easy to maintain. Our baths and showers retain their “new” look for many years without cracking or chipping, and because our materials are a solid color throughout, discoloration or fading will never occur.
HPH is confident in the quality of our products and the professional installations provided by our certified dealers. For your added peace of mind, all of our bath and shower systems are backed with a lifetime warranty.
4200 SE Columbia Way, Suite C
Vancouver, WA 98661
Tel: (888) 892-7939
Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat – Sun: CLOSED