Siding & Windows in Zilker, Austin, TX

Why did this Zilker home need new siding?

The original siding had reached the end of its life. Older Austin homes like this one often carry cladding that cracks, warps, and lets moisture creep behind it over time.

The homeowner found us through an internet search back in April 2023. They wanted a fix that would last, not another short-term patch.

• Existing siding showed age typical of homes from that era
• The house sits in a mature Zilker street with established trees
• Cedar pollen and summer heat had taken a toll on the old surface

What did we find when we tore off the old siding?

The biggest surprise was under the surface. When we pulled the old cladding, we confirmed asbestos in the existing material, which meant a careful, code-compliant removal before any new work could start. This is exactly the kind of thing a homeowner should never rush or DIY. Handling asbestos wrong puts your family and your crew at risk, and it can stall a project for weeks if it is not done right. We managed the abatement, then moved straight into rebuilding a solid wall assembly.

• Confirmed and safely removed asbestos-containing siding
• Completed a full tear-off down to the framing
• Installed new 1/2" OSB sheathing across the walls

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose James Hardie HardiePlank Smooth in an 8.25" width for the whole home. Fiber cement was the clear call for this climate, and here is the reasoning. Austin summers push past 100 degrees for days at a stretch, and spring brings hail that dents and splits weaker materials. Fiber cement does not warp in that heat, and it shrugs off impacts that would crack vinyl or rot wood. We paired the planks with primed Cedar Mill trim so the corners and edges match the durability of the field siding.

• 8.25" HardiePlank Smooth for the main walls
• 8.25" primed smooth planks ready for topcoat
• Primed Select Cedar Mill trim for a finished look
• New sheathing gives the fiber cement a flat, stable base

How did the painting go?

We painted the full exterior after the siding was set. The Hardie boards came primed from the factory, which gave the Sherwin Williams topcoat a strong surface to grip.

The homeowner picked a color that fits the Zilker streetscape. Even coverage matters here, because harsh Texas sun will expose thin or rushed paint fast.

• Primed planks first, then applied the finish coats
• Color chosen to suit the neighborhood character
• Finish built to resist fading in Central Texas sun

What were the results?

The home now has a full fiber cement exterior with a clean, uniform paint finish. We ran two rounds of yard cleanup and punch items to make sure nothing was left behind.

• Two-stage punch and yard cleanup completed
• Siding and paint delivered as one coordinated project
• Exterior ready for decades of Austin weather