Howdy from Texas!
It’s summer. That sweet spot between “we should do something about this” and “we waited too long.”
Whether you're refreshing a porch, replacing siding, or finally patching that roof, the right material can save you thousands.
The wrong one? Just buys you time until the next leak.
This issue kicks off with an interview that’ll change how you think about siding, storm prep, and what “resilient” really means.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
Feature Story
At the Table with Katie Ostreko, Former VP, Quality Edge
White Vesta Plank Siding on a QE House.
Back in May, I sat down with Katie Ostreko, former VP of Sales and Marketing at Quality Edge, to talk about steel siding, design trends, and what resilience really looks like in home construction.
She didn’t hold back — and that’s exactly what we need more of.
Katie broke down:
Why U.S.-made siding and roofing materials are a no-brainer
How smarter homeowners make better decisions
What contractors need to do to build trust, close sales, + retain customers
My Freshest Dough
WHAT WE BUILD ON
Last month, I dug into one of the biggest tensions in climate-conscious construction:
Why wood framing is gaining ground — and what it’s up against.
“Wood, Steel, or Concrete? The Materials Debate That Could Shape Climate-Era Housing”
Published in Apartment Therapy
A look at carbon, building codes, design culture — and why some climate-forward builders are betting on timber.
🧱 In This Piece:
Steel-IQ → Why recycled steel isn't just for high-end builds
Netze.Homes → A startup betting on precision prefab
ONX & KB Home → Two very different takes on scale and sustainability
What’s missing: Cultural buy-in, cost clarity, and consistency in messaging
“Most homeowners aren’t looking for cheapest. They want someone they can trust.”
Crumbs I’m Following…
📍 Texas flash flood: Alley is one of the most flood-prone areas in North America
A must-read for anyone living in or building in Texas.
Read article
📊 What Angi’s Report Says About How Americans Are Really Handling Homeownership
Gen Z is spending more on home upgrades than Boomers — and most of us are stressed about repairs.
Read article
🏚️ Baby Boomers Are Sitting on Real Estate Gold — But Millennials May Not Want It
Aging in place, inheritance taxes, and who’s left holding the mortgage bag.
Read article
The Last Slice
We’re just getting warmed up.
🍽️Thanks for being at the table.
If this made you pause, plan, or see your home a little differently — that’s the whole point.
Know someone who’d love this?
Pass it on. Or hit reply and tell me what’s on your plate this summer.
Warmly,
Amanda
Helping folks feel at home.