Siding & Windows in Milwood, Austin, TX (August 2024)

Why did this Milwood home need new siding?

Milwood is full of homes built in the '80s and '90s, and the original wood siding on this one had run its course. Sun and heat had done real damage over the years.

• Older cladding was breaking down after decades of 100-degree summers
• Wood trim showed the kind of wear that invites rot and pests
• The homeowner wanted a low-upkeep exterior that would hold up long-term

What did we find during the inspection?

When we looked over the exterior, the story was pretty clear. The wood siding had soaked up years of Texas weather, and the fascia and soffit needed attention too. We flagged the windows early, since replacing them first made the most sense for a clean install sequence. Doing windows before siding lets us tie the new cladding right into fresh window flanges, which is where a lot of homeowners get leaks wrong. A sloppy order of operations leaves gaps that show up as drafts and water intrusion two summers later.

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose James Hardie 8.25" Select Smooth fiber cement for the main body. Fiber cement is the right call for Central Texas because it won't warp, swell, or crack the way wood does in our brutal heat. It also stands up to hail far better than most alternatives, and cedar pollen wipes off a smooth finish with ease.

• 8.25" Prime Smooth panels for the primary siding sections
• James Hardie trim in both 10" and 12" per LF widths for corners and detail
• Primed Select Smooth stock, ready for paint on install
• ABC Supply Co. handled material delivery to the site

How did the window replacement go?

We ordered the four windows through NT Window in May, and they arrived in June. Installation took a single day once they were on site. Swapping them before the siding meant we could seal each opening properly and integrate it with the new Hardie panels.

• Four full-frame replacement units from NT Window
• One-day install, completed in June 2024
• Openings sealed and prepped for the siding tie-in

What did the finish work involve?

Once the siding was up in July, our painters took over. Sherwin Williams Super Paint went on the siding, fascia, soffit, and even the gutters and downspouts for a fully unified look. Painting fiber cement after install locks in the color and adds another layer of protection against UV and moisture. We came back later in the month for punch-out to catch every last detail.

• Exterior painting with Sherwin Williams Super Paint
• Fascia and soffit painted up to 24"
• Gutters and downspouts painted per LF
• Two rounds of yard cleanup plus punch items

What were the results?

The home went from tired and weathered to sharp and sealed. New windows tightened the envelope, and the Hardie shell gives the homeowner decades of low-maintenance protection. Everything closed out clean on September 19, 2024.

• A uniform, painted exterior from siding to gutters
• A tighter building envelope after the window swap
• A finish built for Austin's heat, hail, and pollen