Siding & Gutters in Bauerle Ranch, Austin, TX

Why did this Bauerle Ranch home need new siding?

Homes in this part of far south Austin were mostly built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their original siding takes a beating here. Summers push past 100 degrees, spring brings hail, and cedar pollen coats everything for weeks.

The old cladding on this house had started to wear and the trim needed help. Fiber cement was the clear fix.

• Original boards showed age and weather wear
• Fascia trim needed full replacement
• Homeowner found us through an internet search in June 2022

What did the crew do before the siding went up?

Good siding starts behind the boards, not on the surface. Before a single Hardie plank went up, we rebuilt the wall assembly to keep water and heat out. This is the step most homeowners never see, and the one that decides whether siding lasts.

We installed 1/2" OSB sheathing where needed, then wrapped the home in Tyvek ThermaWrap LE rated at R2. A breathable vapor barrier went over that, which lets the wall dry out instead of trapping moisture against the framing. In Austin's humid summers, that drying path matters more than people expect. Skip it, and you can get rot hiding under brand-new siding.

• 1/2" OSB sheathing installed as a solid nailing base
• Tyvek ThermaWrap LE (R2) for a weather-resistive layer
• Breathable vapor barrier to let walls dry
• Garage door jamb wrapped, including a split double jamb

What siding material did we use, and why?

We installed James Hardie Select Cedar Mill lap siding in the 8.25-inch profile. The primed boards give paint a strong surface to grip. Fiber cement was picked for one big reason: it holds up to Austin weather in ways wood and vinyl cannot.

• James Hardie Select Cedar Mill 8.25" lap boards, primed
• Resists warping in triple-digit heat
• Stands up to hail far better than vinyl
• 6" Hardie fascia with a 1x2 backer to finish edges

How did the gutters fit into the job?

With new fascia going on, it made sense to redo the drainage at the same time. We removed the old gutters and installed fresh 6-inch seamless aluminum runs. New gutters protect the fresh siding by moving water away from the walls and limestone-heavy soil around the foundation.

• 6" seamless aluminum gutters across front, back, left, and right
• 3" x 4" downspouts on both single-story and two-story runs
• Old gutters disposed of by the linear foot

How did the exterior painting finish the project?

Once the siding cured, our painters brought it all together with Sherwin Williams coatings. Painting followed the install, not the other way around, so every surface was clean and ready. The primed Hardie boards took the topcoat evenly for solid adhesion and consistent color.

• Fascia and soffit painted up to 24 inches
• Both garage doors coated
• One set of two shutters painted
• Two yard cleanups plus a full punch-out