Everybody is familiar with the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

The trusted professionals at DNA Roofing & Siding and Archadeck of Delaware believe the opposite is true – at least when it comes to your home.

Led by owners Dave Lyons and Tom Kulon – who have more than 50 years of combined experience in the industry – these two companies are helping homeowners all over the area improve their curb appeal in significant ways. Whether it's installing a new roof, giving the home a facelift by changing the siding or creating a stunning outdoor living space, they can deliver high-quality exteriors to give their clients peace of mind.

It all starts with their commitment to treating each project like they were working on their own home. Quality workmanship, attention to detail and honesty and integrity are paramount for every job.

"Customer service is key," Lyons says. "We need to have happy clients; that's more important than profit. We take a lot of pride in making the customer's house look better than when we got there."

The knowledgeable staff at both companies includes master roofers and a master carpenter, and Lyons has the highest accreditations in roofing, siding and deck building from leading manufacturers like CertainTeed, James Hardie and Azek.

That expertise is especially important when it comes to the roof, which is clearly a crucial piece in a home's exterior. It might not be a trendy home improvement, but a new roof installed by DNA increases energy efficiency and guards against weather damage.

"I think a lot of people don't really treat the roof the way they should, because it's a big expense and it's not fun," Lyons says. "Siding, decks and patios are wants, but a roof is a need. If your roof leaks, you have to get it fixed. It's not optional."

Lyons comes across many roofs, especially on newer homes, that were not installed properly and experience failure after several years. DNA can assess whether a repair is sensible or whether investing in a brand-new roof – including a four-star warranty from CertainTeed that covers everything – is the route to take.

"We go up on the roof, evaluate the situation and present options to the customer," he says. "Sometimes they don't really have an option. I can do the repair, but without a warranty and with the shingles not in great condition, I would not suggest wasting money on a repair because in two or three years they're going to need a new roof anyway. We try to evaluate based on the life that is left in the roof and what it's going to take to get the repair done."

As for siding, DNA offers a number of options to transform the home, from the always-popular vinyl to fiber cement, stucco and wood. Lyons has also been working with James Hardie for years, regularly attends conferences for the company and is well informed on all of their products.

"A lot of companies offer the cheapest products and don't offer any amenities," he says. "But if you're getting new siding to make your house look better, why would you not spend just a little more money to get something nicer that sets you apart from everybody else in the neighborhood? For example, you can do custom window framing and really make the windows pop. I feel like the siding is a much more of an aesthetic than the roof. You're always going to walk up to the house and look at the siding."

Outdoor living spaces continue to be popular, and Archadeck of Delaware is proficient at building decks, patios and screened-in porches. They will build any type of deck the customer desires – including pressure-treated wood or ipe – but recommend maintenance-free composite materials from Azek and TimberTech.

Having the backing of national brand like Archadeck is also a benefit to clients.

"I just came back from an Archadeck conference in New Orleans where we discussed a lot of issues that come up for everybody," Lyons says. "We have access to an engineering department; we have access to a drafting department. We can get a lot of things accomplished that some of the smaller companies can't, and it allows us to offer better warranties."

No matter which type of project homeowners are considering, they can rest assured they will receive personal attention as well as professionalism from DNA and Archadeck.

"What's really different with us is that you will be able to talk to an owner," Lyons says. "There are a lot of companies, especially the larger ones, where you will never talk to an owner. You'll only talk to a professional salesman who is not trained as a roofer or siding mechanic or deck builder, who doesn't know much about the products and has probably never installed a shingle in his life. We don't have anybody who is just a salesman; everybody who works for us has done the work."

DNA Roofing & Siding
Newark, Del.
(302) 455-2180
DNARoofingSiding.com

Archadeck of Delaware
Newark, Del.
(302) 613-7405
Delaware.Archadeck.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 6 (May 2024)
For more info on House & Home magazine, click here.
To subscribe to House & Home magazine, click here.
To advertise in House & Home magazine, call 610-272-3120.