A split-level home in Apple Valley, Minnesota had reached the point where patching the cedar siding no longer made sense. Woodpeckers had been drilling into the wood for years, and the damage kept coming back no matter how many spots got repaired.
The homeowners reached out to Sharp Exteriors for a combined roofing and siding project after storm damage triggered an insurance claim tied to matching coverage on specific elevations. Located in Apple Valley, MN, the project involved replacing the wood siding entirely and addressing the roof sections affected by the claim. Sharp Exteriors has served Apple Valley and the surrounding South Metro since 2011, working many of these projects through neighborhood referrals from prior clients.
Key Takeaways
- THE CHALLENGEWoodpecker damage kept recurring on the home's cedar siding, and the insurance policy's matching provision only covered specific roof and siding elevations rather than the full exterior.
- THE SYSTEMSharp Exteriors installed Edco steel siding in place of the cedar and replaced the roof sections included under the claim, following the same tear-off and underlayment standards used on the company's roofing projects.
- THE RESULTThe homeowners now have a steel exterior that resists the pest damage that plagued the old cedar, along with a clear, itemized estimate covering the portions of the project insurance did not pay for.
Wood siding is a common target for woodpeckers, and cedar in particular tends to draw repeat damage once birds find a soft spot. Rather than keep repairing sections of cedar, the homeowners opted for a material that would remove the problem outright. Steel siding from Edco, a Hopkins, Minnesota manufacturer, gave them that durability while keeping the sourcing local to the state.
Project Summary
| Client Profile: | Split-level homeowners, Apple Valley, MN |
| Project Location: | Apple Valley, Minnesota |
| Primary Objective: | Replace pest-damaged cedar siding and complete the roof sections covered under an insurance matching claim, part of Sharp Exteriors' broader Storm Damage Restoration work in the South Metro. |
| Material Selection: | Edco steel siding replaced the original cedar, chosen for its resistance to woodpecker damage; see Sharp Exteriors' Steel Siding Installation services for more on this material. |
| Key Outcome: | A durable, low-maintenance exterior with matched roofing sections completed and a transparent cost breakdown for the homeowners. |
Cedar Siding Damage Assessment
When Sharp Exteriors first evaluated the property, the cedar siding showed the telltale signs of repeated woodpecker activity: scattered holes and pecked sections across multiple areas of the exterior. This kind of damage is common on wood siding, since birds return to the same soft spots once they've found them, and cosmetic patches rarely solve the underlying problem.
On the roofing side, the claim involved a matching provision, meaning the insurance policy only covered specific elevations rather than the entire roof. Josh Longawa of Sharp Exteriors has noted that this kind of partial coverage has become more common as insurers move away from full matching, toward higher wind and hail deductibles, and toward Actual Cash Value settlements instead of full replacement cost. Understanding exactly what the policy would and would not cover was an early and necessary step in scoping the project.
Installing Steel Siding And Roofing
For the siding, the crew removed the damaged cedar and installed Edco steel panels in its place. Steel siding does not give woodpeckers the soft surface they need to drill into, which directly solved the recurring damage the homeowners had been dealing with. Edco is manufactured in Hopkins, Minnesota, giving the homeowners a locally sourced material rather than one shipped in from out of state.
On the roof, Sharp Exteriors replaced the shingles on the elevations included in the claim, following the same approach used across the company's Residential Roofing Services work: full tear-off to the deck, synthetic underlayment for moisture protection, and modern laminate shingles in place of older three-tab materials. Before work began, the team also walked the homeowners through a full estimate covering both the insurance-approved scope and any additional out-of-pocket costs.
That estimate mattered because the matching provision meant not every part of the exterior was covered at the same rate. Giving homeowners a clear number upfront, rather than surprising them mid-project, is part of how Sharp Exteriors approaches every Siding Installation and roofing job that involves an insurance claim.
Durable Exterior For Apple Valley Home
The finished project gave the homeowners a siding material that eliminated the woodpecker problem entirely, along with roofing sections that matched the coverage terms of their insurance policy. The steel siding requires far less upkeep than the cedar it replaced and holds up to the kind of repeated pest activity that wood exteriors in Apple Valley commonly face.
By pairing the insurance-covered scope with a straightforward estimate for the remaining costs, the homeowners had full visibility into the project from start to finish. The combination of a pest-resistant material and a completed, matched roof left the home better protected than it was before the claim was ever filed.
Need Siding Or Roof Work In Apple Valley?
We've worked on roofing, siding, and window projects throughout Apple Valley and the surrounding South Metro communities for over a decade. Whether it's pest damage, storm damage, or an aging exterior, we walk homeowners through their insurance coverage and give a clear estimate before any work begins.
Dealing with damaged siding or a roof that needs attention in Apple Valley? Reach out to Sharp Exteriors for an inspection and estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does steel siding actually stop woodpecker damage in Apple Valley?
Yes. Woodpeckers drill into wood siding because it's soft enough to penetrate, and steel does not give them that opening. Switching from cedar to steel siding is a common, permanent fix for homes dealing with repeated pest damage.
What does an insurance "matching" provision mean for a roof or siding claim?
A matching provision determines whether an insurer will cover the cost to match undamaged sections to newly repaired ones, or whether it only pays for the specific elevations that were damaged. Many policies have scaled back this coverage, which is why getting a full contractor estimate upfront matters for homeowners in Apple Valley and across the Twin Cities.
Is Edco steel siding a good choice for Minnesota homes?
Edco steel siding is manufactured in Hopkins, Minnesota, and holds up well to the state's freeze-thaw cycles, wind, and pest pressure. It requires minimal maintenance compared to wood siding and won't develop the recurring damage that cedar and other wood products can attract.