Home Improvement Hour 1 – Siding in cold weather, house design

·38 min·3 clips

Rich reveals why installing vinyl siding below 20 degrees can cause it to crack and fail.

This episode of the Home Improvement Show is a live call-in advice program focused on winter home repairs and contractor selection, hosted by veteran contractor Rich Orris. Orris draws from his professional experience at Mosby Building Arts to answer listener questions about specific projects and industry practices. The conversation centers on the practical challenges of cold-weather renovations and the wide variation in project quality and cost among contractors. A listener named Mildred calls to ask about installing vinyl siding during freezing temperatures. Orris explains that vinyl becomes brittle and can crack when worked on below roughly 32 degrees Fahrenheit, specifically mentioning the recent local low of 17 degrees. He advises that installation can proceed if temperatures are warmer during the workdays, even if cold returns between work sessions. Another caller, Jerry, asks if the starter strip is universal for different siding types like aluminum and vinyl. Orris clarifies that strips vary by manufacturer and recommends replacing all components when switching materials to ensure compatibility and proper waterproofing. He details a superior window installation method that involves removing exterior siding, using a new-construction window with integrated fins, and sealing it with flash tape and spray foam. A significant portion covers a call from Dave, who needs a full kitchen remodel and home inspection in St. John after extensive plumbing repairs. Orris outlines his company's integrated design-build approach, which employs in-house licensed plumbers and electricians. He contrasts this with design-only firms, noting a common client frustration where elaborate designs exceed realistic budgets, citing a specific example from just two days prior. To illustrate cost disparities, Orris shares that a Google search for new home construction in St. Louis shows prices ranging from $150 to over $300 per square foot, with premium custom builds potentially reaching $500-$600 per square foot. A key insight is Orris's reversal of the common saying, arguing "the devil is in not knowing the details" rather than being in the details themselves. He emphasizes the value of comprehensive warranties, referencing surveys that show 45% of consumers buy extended warranties for electronics and appliances. Orris describes his company's use of a client portal with daily project notes and a fixed team of tradespeople to avoid the coordination problems and finger-pointing common with many subcontractors. He recounts a landscape contractor's complaint about often inheriting jobs where clients are already frustrated by the time they arrive. The episode maintains a conversational, advisory tone as a live radio talk show, blending direct listener Q&A with educational explanations of construction principles. It is styled as a practical, locally-focused resource for homeowners seeking trustworthy guidance. This episode is ideal for St. Louis-area homeowners planning winter projects or navigating contractor bids, especially those weighing cost against long-term quality and warranty protection. Listeners seeking highly produced narrative storytelling or debates on home design trends would likely find it less engaging.

As heard by us

Cold-weather home repair advice that favors the right sequence over the quick fix.

A cold Saturday morning in St. Louis becomes a clear look at where homes tend to fail first. Rich Orris walks through drafty doors that drift out of seal, then expands the point to house wrap, starter strips, flashing, and the extra steps that keep water where it belongs.

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Why you'd press play

Hear what winter exposes in your doors, windows, and siding.

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