What Is Shown Here

The projects below represent completed exterior work on residential properties throughout our service area. These are drawn from actual installations overseen by contractors we’ve vetted — real homes, real results. Each project illustrates a different aspect of exterior work: roofing durability, siding finish, window performance, and skylight integration. We’ve selected these specifically because they demonstrate the technical decisions that separate lasting work from surface-level fixes.

Property owners and managers reviewing these examples will see the kinds of attention to detail we look for: flashing detail, alignment, material finish, and integration with existing structures. This is the visual standard we reference when we recommend contractors to our clients.

Why These and Not Others

Exterior projects vary wildly in scope and complexity. A simple gutter replacement is not the same as a full roof re-cover or a window-wall renovation. We’ve selected examples that show progression in difficulty and the decisions that change at each scale. The roofing work shown demonstrates material selection and fastening principles you need to verify. The siding and window installations show how professionals handle transitions and sealing — details that determine whether a project will hold up in a Maine winter.

We do not showcase every job. We showcase the ones that teach a visitor something useful about what to look for. Material and style choices shown here follow the general guidance in This Old House’s roofing guide, which is a useful reference if you’re comparing options for your own property. These are projects we’re confident enough to display because they meet that standard.

The Selection at a Glance

Project Type	Scope & Duration	Key Technical Focus	Durability Expectation
Standing Seam Metal Roof	Full re-roof, 10–14 days	Panel seaming, fastener spacing, flashing detail	30–50 years with proper maintenance
Architectural Shingle Roof	Full re-roof, 5–7 days	Starter course, underlayment, ridge cap installation	20–30 years, varies by climate exposure
Vinyl Siding Installation	Partial or full, 3–10 days	Starter channel, j-channel transitions, expansion gaps	20–40 years, quality-dependent
Window Replacement	1–4 windows, 1–3 days	Frame sealing, exterior caulking, proper opening dimension	15–25 years (window glass warranty common)
Skylight Installation	1–2 skylights, 2–3 days	Flashing integration, roof opening reinforcement, seal integrity	20–30 years, failure typically at seal, not structure
Gutter Replacement	Gutters only, 1–2 days	Slope consistency, downspout placement, leaf guard (if added)	20–25 years for quality seamless gutters

What to Notice

When reviewing exterior work on any property, start with the transitions: where materials meet, where water drains, where the structure connects to the foundation. Poor work fails first at these boundaries. The projects shown above were selected because their transitions are executed to standard. That is the baseline we recommend, not the exception.