Siding in North Austin, Austin, TX (October 2023)

Why did this North Austin home need new siding?

Older North Austin homes take a beating. Summers push past 100 degrees, spring storms drop hail, and cedar pollen coats everything for weeks. The original siding here had lost its fight with all three.

• Sun-worn surfaces that no longer held paint
• Wear typical of homes built in the 1980s–2000s
• A finish that couldn't stand up to another Texas hail season

What did the crew find on site?

When we pulled the old material, we got a clear read on the home's real condition. Some fascia and soffit areas needed prep before anything new could go on. That is common on homes this age, and it is exactly the kind of thing a quick surface repaint would hide instead of fix. We planned for it up front so the new siding sat on sound edges. Getting the trim right first is what keeps water out later, and it is where a lot of cheaper jobs cut corners.

What materials did we use, and why?

We installed HardiePlank Select Cedar Mill in the 8.25-inch width, primed and ready for paint. Fiber cement was the clear pick for this climate. It won't warp in 100-degree heat, it shrugs off hail far better than wood or vinyl, and it holds paint for years.

• 8.25-inch primed Select Cedar Mill lap boards
• Wood-grain texture without the maintenance of real cedar
• Material and delivery coordinated through ABC Supply Co.
• Full tear-off before install, not a layover

The Cedar Mill face gives that natural wood look homeowners want. Limestone soil and shifting foundations are a real thing here, so a rigid, stable cladding matters more than most people expect.

How did the exterior painting go?

Once the Hardie board was up, painting tied the whole house together. We used Sherwin Williams products and coated every exterior surface, not just the field siding.

• Paint applied by the square across all siding faces
• Fascia and soffit painted up to 24 inches
• Gutters and downspouts coated by linear foot
• Primed board sealed for long-term weather protection

Painting the metal runs to match is a detail that gets skipped often. Doing it here means the gutters blend in instead of standing out.

How long did the whole job take?

The install and paint happened fast once materials were staged. Tear-off, new siding, and the full repaint were completed in a single day on October 18, 2023.

• Two rounds of yard cleanup and punch items
• Final walkthrough to close out every detail
• Project closed out on November 9, 2023