And like any human body, your home needs the proper care and upkeep to maintain its brazen outer structure and its eye-pleasing outward appearance. But if your house is more of a nightmare rather than a reflection of your physical prowess, there is no need to daydream any longer. Rich Aluminum & Vinyl Siding Inc. of South Glens Falls is ready to provide you with many one stop, one shop home solution remedies so that you can turn your home into a dream house. 

If you don’t believe me, I will refer you to the more than capable hands of Mark Haley, general/sales manager with Rich Aluminum for more than five years. Strolling into the edifying and brightly lit showroom, Mark sweeps me into an educational tour of the displayed products around the office.

On my right hand side are sample vinyl siding displays showing a medley of styles from simple flat paneled scaling to elaborate faux stone sidings that have the appearance of interlocking mortared rock. Behind and following the wall to the left-hand-side are numerous windows, some displaying bright stained glass patterns and pane arrangement. 

Mark informs me that there are two very important qualities to the products displayed and sold by Rich Aluminum, “Products are designed to last a lifetime,” he says, “And the products here are green. Buy a product once, and you only use the energy once.”  Rich Aluminum is able to provide a wide variety of siding, window and door products because they are not limited in suppliers, utilizing the services of fourteen or so suppliers. 

To prove his point about durability and high craftsmanship, Mark shows me a steel door with a beautifully cut and scrolled window, heavy duty weatherproofing hardware, and an intense yet elegant doorknob and deadbolt set. Even though the door is constructed from industrial grade steel and fiberglass, at a glance the door appears to be made of treated maple or oak. Mark describes the “forced entry test” performed by the manufacturer on this particular type of door.

It is called the F-276, which is American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recognized. It involves a one-hundred pound weight repeatedly swung from a distance of six feet from the entry door into the deadbolt-door frame interface. Mark smiles and tells me that this door can take 14 shots before structural failure, which is very impressive, and he tells me the secret to the strength lies in the door frame. There is a steel plate installed in the frame where the deadbolt locks into position.

“I feel safe and secure having these doors in my home, knowing no one is getting in,” says Mark.

And not only is this door super tough, but it has a high “R value,” which is the door’s ability to reflect heat, so that summer heat does not infiltrate into the home through the door, and a heated home does not lose heat during the winter. I have to agree with Mark. This product, like many of their other products, is durable yet beautiful, to which Mark adds, “I think I counted over 700,000 types of doors offered in our catalogs.”

Keeping with the green theme, Mark shows me the low E – argon gas Energy Star windows, demonstrating that the glass is treated to reduce the amount of energy wasted in the home. By using Energy Star certified goods, the windows are built according to government standards for insulation. Likewise, most of the products supplied by Rich Aluminum are crafted according to an established set of standards, standards that Mark and the Rich Aluminum staff know very well. One of their primary suppliers, Provia, is the Energy Star Partner of the Year.

The high quality of products, professional installations, and fair, consistent prices of Rich Aluminum stems from a local business history of more than 50 years. Since the company’s inception in 1952, Rich Aluminum has continued to be pioneers of siding and windows. They were the first to tackle aluminum siding when it came out on the market. Their reputation brought builders to their shops asking about services and advice on how to manipulate the new product.

That tradition has continued into today’s market. 

Originating in Whitehall, Rich Aluminum continues to service the greater Glens Falls area and the surrounding counties but is not limited to these boundaries. In describing the local community’s effect on business, Mark spoke of a strong local following. He articulated that the longevity of the business and record of customer satisfaction allowed the business to be one based on referrals. More often than not, Rich Aluminum depends on word-of-mouth for their clientele.

Amongst the color chips and texture fans situated on Mark’s desk, lying in the aftermass of a day of estimates and appointments, he hands me a book of before-and-after photos showcasing a few drastic makeovers performed by Rich Aluminum. Mark explains that it is common for people in a neighborhood to see one of our [Rich Aluminum] projects at a neighbor’s house and decide they want their house to look like that one. “Our jobs not only improve one house, they improve the neighborhood,” accounts Mark.

Truth be told, Rich Aluminum does not solely provide for those who wish to beautify their homes.  A majority of the services and products provided by their company are geared for the practical.  While new vinyl siding or a new roof may improve the look of your house, a leaking roof/siding, storm damage on a house, decrepit conditions leading to compromised integrity or improper installation are serious concerns of both homeowners and Rich Aluminum.  They are dedicated to not only service the aesthetically pleasing but to improve the living conditions and quality of life for customers.

Rich Aluminum’s highly regarded professional installations follow the standard practices with the specific products sold in their store.  Each product is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions to guarantee the full lifespan of the products and to ensure the warranty is not voided due to improper installation.  Each employee is trained according to their trade.  A roofing installer does not work as an entry door installer.  Rich Aluminum belongs to every trade organization involved in the installation processes required by their varying products and services, and they have a proud safety record.

“We do not take advantage of the customer,” said Mark.  He offered these words to those looking to make improvements on their homes and to those looking to offer home improvement services: (1) Know your product, and know the specifications necessary for proper installation; (2) Find a professional that really knows what they are doing; (3) One reference isn’t enough.  Get a couple of references from the contractor.

Rich Aluminum & Vinyl Siding is located at 150 Saratoga Avenue, South Glens Falls, NY 12803.  For information pertaining to products, services, pricing, and/or questions, call 518-792-9000 or visit their website at http://richaluminuminc.com/.