Siding & Exterior Painting in South Austin, Austin, TX (September 2023)

Why did this Austin home need new siding?

The original cladding on this 78745 home had reached the end of its life. Sun, hail, and years of moisture had left it warped and thin in spots.

• Old panels showed splitting and soft edges from repeated heat cycles
• Gaps at seams let cedar pollen and dust work behind the surface
• The home needed a look that matched newer builds nearby
• Bare wood trim was overdue for protection

What did the crew find during inspection?

When we pulled sections of the old siding, we found what we see on a lot of 1980s and 1990s Austin homes. The wall cavities were under-insulated, and the sheathing had taken on moisture from years of poor drainage. That kind of hidden damage is exactly what a homeowner misses when they only repaint over old siding. Central Texas limestone soil holds water against foundations and lower walls, so moisture creeps up more than people expect. We flagged it, added R-13 roll-in insulation, and made sure the new wall assembly could breathe and drain before a single panel went up.

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose James Hardie fiber cement in a board and batten profile for this project. Fiber cement does not warp, rot, or feed the mildew that thrives in humid Texas summers.

• Board & batten gives strong vertical lines and deep shadow reveals
• Fiber cement holds paint far longer than wood or old composite
• The material resists hail impact better than vinyl in our storm season
• Specialty siding cuts handled the trickier wall transitions cleanly

Why board and batten here? The vertical battens add texture and height to a low, ranch-style profile. It reads modern without clashing with the older homes around it.

How did the painting stage go?

Once the siding was set, we moved to a full Sherwin Williams exterior latex finish. Quality latex flexes with the panels as they heat and cool, so the coating resists cracking.

• Painted fascia and soffit up to 24 inches for a clean edge
• Coated gutters and downspouts per linear foot
• Refinished the garage doors to match the new palette
• Sealed every surface against sun fade and pollen staining

The color pull-together is what makes the whole exterior feel new, not just the siding.

What was the final result?

The home now wears a crisp, high-contrast board and batten face with a paint system built for the long haul. Everything from the garage doors to the downspouts matches, and the added insulation makes the interior easier to cool. We closed the file on January 4, 2024, after a clean two-pass punch and yard cleanup.