Your boutique exterior remodeling company
Photo Courtesy of Exteriors by Aspen
By Jillian Chandler
Carter Coleman has always been drawn to architectural design and construction. Starting in 2001 as a hands-on whole-house remodeler, he eventually moved on to specializing in custom home building in the Dallas/Forth Worth area. In 2008, due to the market crash, Carter found himself having to rework his business, and in 2012 he took a job with James Hardie — the largest fiber cement siding manufacturing company in the US — which would take him, wife Ashleigh, and two young sons from the heat of Texas to the heart of the Inland Northwest.
With James Hardie, Carter worked as a regional installation, technical sales and sales representative for six years, during which time he trained architects, builders and installation crews on how to properly install their siding products. With his territory covering Western Montana to the Cascades, extending up into Canada and down into Denver, the travel was taking a toll on him and his family.
After learning the technical side and invaluable knowledge from the James Hardie organization — by attending and leading installation workshops from coast to coast — Carter realized there were a lot of “gaps” in the market and areas that could be capitalized upon to deliver a better overall experience for homeowners. In 2015, Carter and Ashleigh decided to relaunch their Texas building company, this time specializing in exteriors, and opened Exteriors by Aspen. Carter transferred over not only his business name of Aspen into Exteriors by Aspen, but also his building ethics of overseeing each project from start to finish with the homeowner. “Before embarking on any project, there’s the initial site visit,” Carter explains, “which can be as short as 20 minutes to as long as the client needs to feel comfortable, allowing them the opportunity to ask as many questions as needed — and get those questions answered.” Carter personally takes phone calls, as well as measures each home with state-of-the art 3D imaging software. This advanced tool allows homeowners to really get a feel for how the house will look when finished. Through this software, Carter has the ability to completely change the façade, as it allows the client to change the look of the entire home with a few clicks of the mouse. Carter’s ‘Good, Better, Best’ bid system is custom tailored to each unique home and is highly detailed, outlining the scope of the project clearly and succinctly for three distinct price points; far from an ambiguous text message or a set of impersonal boxes on a production checklist that have been the norm around here for too long.
Serving Spokane and North Idaho, Exteriors by Aspen offers an array of siding products including: fiber cement siding (James Hardie ColorPlus), all vinyl products, windows and doors, composite and wood decking, natural and cultured stone and stucco, all types of roofing, and installation of rigid foam insulation or blow-in cellulose.
Aspen’s true specialization is in James Hardie pre-painted ColorPlus fiber cement. “We proudly offer the best products because it’s what home owners desire to revitalize their most important investment,” Carter affirms. With more than 700 curated James Hardie Colors to choose from, Carter ensures that all accessories including trim, shingles, board and batten, soffits, touch-up paint and caulking is color-matched for fade resistance, as well as performance and durability. “If the ColorPlus doesn’t align with your budget or unique situation, I’ll be the first to tell you why and what we can do differently. Also, we don’t treat your home as ‘builder grade,’ because you don’t see it that way. Homeowners desire low-maintenance products that deliver performance and durability that can not only stand up to our harsh climatic variables, but also the test of time. Other siding companies deliver what’s easiest and fastest for them to install … not what’s best for the homeowner.”
Knowledge of the industry and his relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and manufacturer reps in the region is what truly sets Carter apart from the competition. Combined with his unparalleled knowledge of James Hardie siding manufacturing and installation, his clients can expect nothing less than superior quality and excellent service.
Carter is proud of the business he has built alongside Ashleigh, adding, “I really like seeing the old become new again and seeing the owner’s satisfaction during and after the projects. When we’re done with the house, you’re done with the house — no need to wait on painters or anyone else. We take care of everything; from new exhaust vents, to house address numbers, right down to installing a new doorbell! ”
The Colemans are an active family that enjoys all Idaho has to offer through snowboarding, fishing, dirt-biking and camping. In addition to spending time with their two sons, Baker (18) and Bear (15), they are also a licensed foster family, and have been fostering a little boy since birth, for almost two years. They also sponsor several children through the program Food for the Hungry (FH.org).
Exteriors by Aspen
208.620.9041