KTM Exteriors’ story is one of both continuity and transformation. Founded in 2004 as KTM Properties by Tara Saxton and her father, the company began life as an offshoot of the family’s environmental contracting firm, Environmental Restorations. The aim was simple: take the construction division and give it a home where it could grow in its own right.
A year earlier, Saxton had graduated from college and joined the family business, navigating a market still finding its footing in the early 2000s. With changes in insurance and construction demand, the decision to spin off the division was a pragmatic one—allowing the environmental and construction arms to each focus on their strengths.
In 2015, the business was rebranded as KTM Exteriors, marking a decisive shift to the building envelope trades. Roofing, siding, windows, decks, and doors became its primary canvas. This was also when the leadership baton began to pass from father to daughter. By the time her father stepped back, the company had evolved into a certified woman-owned business, with Saxton firmly at the helm.
Today, KTM operates from Hampstead, New Hampshire, serving a wide swath of New England with a compact, highly skilled team. Its services span both commercial and residential projects, with a growing presence in the Southeast through a Florida branch opened in 2021.
KTM’s focus is as precise as it is broad: anything that defines, protects, and enhances the exterior of a building. This means hundreds of projects annually, ranging from leak repairs to full-scale commercial installations. In 2025, the company added a dedicated metal roofing division—an expansion that reflects industry trends toward durability, energy efficiency, and modern aesthetics.
While the company’s bread-and-butter is commercial work, KTM retains a loyal base of residential clients. This dual focus allows them to adapt to seasonal shifts in demand, diversify their portfolio, and maintain strong relationships with property managers, developers, and homeowners alike.
Among KTM’s recent headline projects is the roof coating at Assembly Square Mall in Somerville, Massachusetts—a complex, multi-phase undertaking designed to give the owners breathing room before a planned vertical expansion.
General manager Jay Gurley oversaw the application of a liquid silicone coating, chosen for its durability, weather resistance, and warranty-backed protection. “It’s a bridge solution,” Gurley explains. “It buys the client another five to ten years without the cost and disruption of a full roof replacement.” The process involved meticulous surface preparation, ensuring the coating adhered evenly and sealed potential weak points.
“It’s a bridge solution. It buys the client another five to ten years without the cost and disruption of a full roof replacement.”
The result is a sustainable, cost-effective solution that not only extends the life of the roof but also positions the property for future redevelopment.
Another standout is a fiber cement siding installation in a prominent, high-traffic area. Using panels from Hardie’s Panel Siding line, KTM was able to deliver a façade that marries durability with crisp, modern curb appeal. For the client, an existing customer with a long-standing relationship with the company, this meant not only a trusted contractor but also the assurance of a manufacturer-certified installation.
Fiber cement siding offers particular advantages in New England’s climate, resisting moisture intrusion, warping, and insect damage. The job’s visibility also gave KTM a valuable showcase for its craftsmanship; proof that a functional upgrade can be a visual one, too.
For a planned multi-family housing project in Newburyport, the Architect proposed Inspire synthetic slate, a composite material engineered to replicate the elegance of natural stone without its weight or fragility. Traditional slate can last a century, but it’s prone to cracking, breakage, and costly repairs. Synthetic options, by contrast, are lightweight enough for nail-gun installation, making them faster and safer to fit while standing up to freeze-thaw cycles and wind-driven rain.
An added benefit is cost control. Natural slate often requires copper flashing and fasteners, pushing budgets higher. With composites, KTM can specify aluminum flashings and stainless nails, keeping costs predictable while maintaining a high-end finish.
KTM’s technical proficiency is backed by manufacturer certifications across all leading brands in the industry. This not only validates their expertise but also allows them to offer extended warranties that give customers additional peace of mind. “It’s one thing to hire a contractor,” Saxton says, “but when the manufacturer stands behind the work as well, that’s an extra layer of trust.”
This commitment to quality has been a major driver of KTM’s growth. In 2024, more than half of its business came from referrals, a testament to the satisfaction of both commercial and residential clients. That growth is measured, not rushed: Saxton’s target is a sustainable 10% revenue increase year-on-year, ensuring the company’s infrastructure and talent pool grow in step with demand.
Saxton’s leadership philosophy is rooted in authenticity. She has never let the fact that she is a woman in a male-dominated industry define or limit her role. “I’ve never let that stereotype affect me,” she says. “I don’t let anyone convince me otherwise.”
Internally, she fosters an environment where communication is direct and support flows in both directions. Clients know that if they can speak with the office team, they can speak with Saxton. That accessibility is part of what keeps customers returning—and referring others.
The team itself is a blend of seasoned tradespeople and project managers who understand both the technical and relational sides of construction. It’s a mix that allows KTM to maintain high standards without losing the personal touch.
KTM’s New Hampshire headquarters serves as its operational hub, but the company’s footprint is steadily widening. The Florida branch, opened with a single staff member, has grown to a team of three and continues to take on projects that fit KTM’s profile. Strategic growth is the priority, expanding where there is both demand and the ability to maintain the same quality control that has defined the brand.
In the competitive New England market, KTM differentiates itself through a combination of technical competence, responsiveness, and the ability to manage complex projects under challenging conditions. Historic preservation requirements, tight urban job sites, and weather-compressed schedules are all part of their operating reality, and areas where experience pays off.
While 2025’s winter and wet spring posed challenges, KTM remains on track to meet its growth goals. Saxton sees continued opportunity in both commercial and residential sectors, especially in envelope upgrades that improve energy efficiency and resilience.
As new materials enter the market and building performance standards rise, KTM plans to stay ahead by combining its deep roots in traditional craftsmanship with a willingness to adopt proven innovations. From sustainable roof coatings to advanced composite siding and roofing materials, the company is positioned to offer solutions that meet today’s demands while anticipating tomorrow’s.
For Saxton, the ultimate measure of success isn’t a plaque or headline, it’s seeing projects completed to the highest standard, knowing they will serve clients for decades. “Our biggest milestone,” she says, “is how we’ve grown while staying true to our values. We do things the right way, and we do them in a way that works for our clients and our team.”
