Siding & Doors in Newcastle, Austin, TX

Why did this Newcastle home need new siding?

The original wood siding on this 78745 home had taken years of abuse. South Austin sees 100-degree summers, spring hail, and heavy cedar pollen that settles into every seam. Wood swells, splits, and holds moisture under those conditions.

Fiber cement solves most of that. It does not warp in the heat and stands up to hail far better than softwood.

• Old wood siding showed rot and paint failure
• Front garage gable fascia needed re-cladding
• Homeowner wanted a finish that would not need repainting every few years

What did the crew find on site?

Once we started pulling the old siding, we checked the sheathing underneath. Some spots needed replacement, so we installed new 1/2" OSB sheathing before any Hardie went up. Skipping that step is the mistake we see most often. New siding over soft or damaged sheathing just traps the problem and fails early.

We also clad the fascia on the front garage gable and tucked it under the drip edge board. That detail keeps water moving off the roof edge instead of behind the trim, which matters during a hard Texas downpour.

• Replaced damaged sheathing with fresh 1/2" OSB
• Re-clad the garage gable fascia under the drip edge
• Painted fascia and soffit up to 24 inches

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose HardiePlank Select Cedar Mill in the 8.25-inch width for this home. The Cedar Mill texture gives a natural wood-grain look without any of the wood upkeep. James Hardie fiber cement is engineered for climates like ours, which is why it holds up so well against heat, moisture, and impact. Paired with matching James Hardie trim, the whole exterior reads clean and consistent. Every board was primed, then finished with Sherwin Williams paint for a durable, uniform color.

• 8.25" HardiePlank Select Cedar Mill lap siding
• James Hardie trim around openings and corners
• Sherwin Williams exterior finish coat

How did the door and window install go?

The door and window units are the long-lead part of a job like this. We ordered them on June 27 and they arrived mid-September. All of them went in over a single day once they landed.

Each opening got foam sealing and color-matched caulk. That combo blocks air leaks and keeps cedar pollen and rain out of the frame.

• Installed a standard 8-foot patio door
• Set new window units with window foam behind each frame
• Sealed every opening with color-matched exterior caulk
• Repainted the garage doors to match the new scheme

What were the results?

The siding and paint work wrapped over four days, from November 19 to 22, 2022. The home went from tired wood to a crisp, sealed, low-maintenance exterior. Yard cleanup and punch items were handled in two passes so nothing was left behind.

• Full James Hardie re-clad with new trim
• Tighter, better-sealed patio door and windows
• Fresh exterior color across siding, fascia, doors, and garage