Siding in Milwood, Austin, TX (December 2023)

Why did this Milwood home need new siding?

Homes built in this pocket of Milwood are now decades old, and their original cladding has taken a beating. Between spring hail, summer sun, and swings in humidity, older wood and composite siding warps, splits, and lets moisture creep behind the wall.

• The home sits in the 78729 ZIP, an area of aging 1980s–2000s builds
• Original siding showed the usual wear for its age
• The client wanted a low-maintenance surface that could handle Austin weather
• Value landed in the $50k–$60k range for the full scope

What material did we use, and why?

We went with James Hardie HardiePlank Select Cedar Mill in an 8.25-inch width. Fiber cement is the sensible choice here because it does not flex or warp the way wood does when the mercury tops 100 for weeks. It also resists the hail dents and moisture problems that plague softer materials in Central Texas.

The Cedar Mill texture gives the wood-grain look many homeowners love, without the rot, repainting cycles, and pest worry that come with real cedar. We hung both primed and Select Cedar Mill boards, then coated everything for a uniform finish. A common mistake homeowners make is chasing the cheapest siding, only to repaint or repair it within a few years. Fiber cement costs more up front and pays that back in years of hands-off performance.

• 8.25-inch HardiePlank lap boards, front and back
• Both primed and Select Cedar Mill profiles used across the home
• Fascia and soffit painted up to 24 inches
• Garage doors repainted to match the new exterior

How did the window replacement go?

The 20 windows were ordered on May 18 and arrived in mid-July. That lead time is normal, so we plan around it rather than rush a bad order. Crews set all 20 units over four days in early August, before the siding phase began.

• 20 windows total across the home
• Ordered 5/18, received mid-July
• Installed over four days in early August
• New seals cut heat gain and keep cedar pollen out during allergy season

How did the full install come together?

This was a phased job with several trades, so sequencing mattered. Windows went in first in early August, which let us seal and flash each opening before any siding touched the wall. That order matters because installing siding before the windows are set almost always leads to leaks and gaps later.

Siding followed over multiple days in mid-August, with painting right behind it. We also ran 5-inch seamless aluminum gutters, 3x4 downspouts sized for both single- and two-story runs, and Leafguard screens to keep debris out. Punch items and two yard cleanups closed out the field work by early September. With other trades still finishing their pieces, the job was officially completed on 12-12-23.

• 5-inch seamless aluminum gutters with matching downspouts
• Leafguard 5-inch or 6-inch gutter screens installed
• Two rounds of yard clean plus punch items
• Paint applied per square across all exterior surfaces

What were the results?

The home now wears a clean, uniform fiber cement exterior that matches its new gutters and freshly painted trim. The client gained a tighter thermal envelope, less outside noise, and far less upkeep.

• Sealed window openings that fight summer heat gain
• A maintenance-light siding surface built for hail and sun
• Gutters and screens that manage heavy Texas downpours
• One consistent color scheme tying siding, trim, and garage doors together