Siding & Windows in Northeast Austin, Austin, TX

Why did this home need new siding and windows?

The existing cladding had taken years of Austin abuse. Sun, hail, and the wet-dry cycle of limestone soil leave older siding brittle and cracked. Once we saw the condition up close, a full replacement made more sense than patching.

• Original siding showed weather damage and lost paint adhesion
• Old windows leaked conditioned air during 100-degree summers
• Homeowner found us through an internet search in May 2024

What did the crew find during the tear-off?

When we pulled the old cladding, the wall needed a fresh structural base before anything new could go up. We installed 7/16-inch OSB wall sheathing across the affected sections. That step matters more than most homeowners realize. Skip it, and even premium siding gets hung on a surface that flexes and traps moisture, which is exactly how rot starts in our humid summers. Getting the sheathing flat and solid gave the fiber cement a stable, dry backing to sit against for decades.

• Removed and hauled off the old windows and siding
• Set new 7/16-inch OSB sheathing before cladding
• Disposal fees covered both trades

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose James Hardie HardiePlank Select Cedar Mill in the 8.25-inch width for the walls. Fiber cement was an easy recommendation here. It does not warp in 100-degree heat, it stands up to hail far better than vinyl or wood, and it holds paint through Austin's punishing UV. The Cedar Mill texture gives that classic wood-grain look without the rot, splitting, or termite worry that real cedar brings in Central Texas. The primed boards then got a finish coat of Sherwin Williams SuperPaint, which locks in color and adds another layer of weather defense.

• Product line: HardiePlank Select Cedar Mill lap
• Profile: 8.25-inch primed boards
• Finish: Sherwin Williams SuperPaint

How did the window installation go?

The windows came in first, so we started there in July before touching the siding. Each opening got an NT Window Executive Series unit in white vinyl with a 50/50 split. The install took a few days across the home.

• Glass: Low-E 366 package with argon gas fill
• Configuration: 50/50 split sash on each unit
• Old windows removed and disposed of on site

What were the results?

The home came out tighter, cooler, and better armored against the elements. The new glass cuts solar heat gain, and the fiber cement gives a maintenance-friendly shell that will not need repainting for years. Final walkthrough and punch-out wrapped in early August 2024.

• Reduced UV and heat transfer from Low-E 366 glass
• Hail- and heat-resistant fiber cement exterior
• Clean, uniform finish sealed by professional paint