Grayson County Home Exterior Transformation: Before & After

One of the most rewarding parts of being a general contractor in Grayson County is the moment a homeowner sees their house for the first time after a full exterior overhaul. This project in Clarkson, KY is a textbook example of what a focused multi-trade renovation can accomplish — and how dramatically it changes a home's curb appeal, weather protection, and long-term value.

The Starting Point

The homeowner had lived in this 1980s-era two-story for over 20 years. The house was structurally sound, but the exterior had accumulated decades of deferred maintenance. Specific problems our crew documented on the initial site walk:

• Roof: Original 3-tab asphalt shingles with granule loss, two active leak points at the valleys, and worn-out flashing around both chimneys.
• Siding: Original T1-11 wood siding with significant rot along the bottom courses, peeling paint, and gaps where caulk had failed around windows.
• Deck: A 12×16 pressure-treated deck with a soft ledger board, several joists showing rot, and surface boards that had cupped and splintered badly.
• Trim & fascia: Rotted fascia boards on the west elevation and broken soffit panels that had allowed animals into the attic space.

The homeowner's priority was durability first, aesthetics second. They wanted materials that would hold up in Kentucky weather without needing constant upkeep.

Phase 1: Metal Roof Installation

We started on the roof because any interior or siding work done before a leaking roof is sealed is wasted money. Our crew stripped the old shingles, inspected the decking — fortunately all solid — and installed a 26-gauge standing seam metal roof in Charcoal Gray.

Why metal over replacing with shingles? The homeowner's house sits on a ridge with full southern exposure, which ages asphalt shingles faster than average. A quality metal roof in Kentucky typically lasts 40–70 years compared to 15–20 for architectural shingles. The standing seam profile also eliminates exposed fasteners, which are a common leak source in exposed locations.

The flashing at both chimneys was rebuilt from scratch using formed aluminum, and we installed proper ice-and-water shield along all valleys and the lower 3 feet of every eave before laying the metal panels. Total roofing time: four days for a crew of three.

Phase 2: Vinyl Siding Replacement

With a dry, sealed roof overhead, the siding crew took over. All the original T1-11 panels were removed, exposing the OSB sheathing beneath. Two areas on the north wall had minor OSB softness from long-term moisture intrusion — those sections were cut out and replaced before anything went back on.

We installed premium insulated vinyl siding in a Double 4 Dutch Lap profile in Sandstone. Insulated backing adds roughly R-2.5 per wall, which makes a noticeable difference in a home this age with minimal wall insulation. Every window, door, and corner was wrapped and caulked before the siding went on.

New PVC trim boards replaced the rotted fascia and soffit on the west elevation, and a pest-exclusion screen was installed at the soffit line to close off the animal entry point.

Phase 3: Deck Rebuild

The old deck came down in half a day. The original ledger — the board bolted to the house that supports the deck frame — was rotten where it met the house rim joist, which is a common failure point when ledger flashing is done incorrectly. We rebuilt the ledger attachment from scratch with proper flashing, lag bolts into the rim joist, and joist hanger hardware throughout the new frame.

The new 12×18 pressure-treated deck was framed at the same elevation as the original but extended two feet wider to give more usable space. Surface boards are 5/4 pressure-treated decking spaced for drainage. The homeowner opted for a simple box rail with 2×4 balusters — clean, durable, and low maintenance.

The After

Total project time was 17 working days across three crews. The transformation is stark: a charcoal metal roof, warm sandstone siding, white PVC trim, and a fresh deck replace what was a peeling, deteriorating exterior.

More importantly, the house is now properly sealed and protected. No active leaks. No rot. No gaps for moisture or animals. The homeowner told us after the walkthrough that it didn't feel like the same house — which is exactly the goal.

What This Project Cost

We won't publish specific numbers here because every project is different — roof pitch, linear feet of siding, deck size, and material choices all affect the final price significantly. What we can say is that this project was completed in one continuous mobilization, which is almost always more cost-efficient than doing each trade separately over multiple years.

If your home has similar deferred-maintenance issues, the best first step is a free on-site estimate where we can walk the property together and give you real numbers. Call (270) 589-3691 or use our contact form to schedule.

Ready for Your Before & After?

Universal Interiors Remodel & Construction has been doing exterior renovations, full residential remodels, and storm damage repairs across Grayson County since 1995. We're licensed, insured, and based right here in Clarkson. If your home's exterior is due for an overhaul, let's talk.