Siding in Legend Oaks, Austin, TX (December 2024)

Why did this Legend Oaks home need new siding?

The older cladding had taken a beating from years of sun and storms. Wood siding in this ZIP tends to swell, split, and fade once the heat and cedar pollen get to work. Swapping it for fiber cement solved the upkeep problem for good.

• Old boards showed weathering and movement at the seams
• Cedar pollen and grime had settled into the surface texture
• Fiber cement resists the swings between 100-degree afternoons and cool nights

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose James Hardie HardiePlank in the Select Cedar Mill texture and 8.25-inch width. That profile gives a strong shadow line without looking busy, and the wood-grain face reads like real cedar from the curb. Fiber cement matters here because Central Texas throws hail and relentless UV at a home every year. Wood and vinyl both give up eventually. This product holds its shape and paint through all of it. We sealed every joint with Sherwin-Williams Power House 60-year caulk so water stays out where boards meet trim.

• Sourced siding and trim through ABC Supply and McCoy's
• Caulk color matched to the finish for a seamless look
• Fasteners and flashing spec'd to Hardie's install guide

How did we handle the windows?

We set the new windows first, then ran the siding over them. Doing it in that order lets the cladding tuck cleanly against the frames and flashing. It also gives us one continuous water barrier instead of two seams fighting each other. Most homeowners try siding first and then wrestle windows into a finished wall, which almost always leaves gaps. Our sequence closes those gaps before they can start.

• Standard units installed up to 132 united inches
• A few oversized openings ran greater than 132 UI
• Each frame air-sealed with OSI closed-cell spray foam
• Overspray cleaned up with OSI foam cleaner before trim went on

What did the installation involve?

A window technician measured ahead of the install, and both trades were completed by December 17, 2024. The crew pulled the old units, set the new ones level, then foamed and flashed each opening. Siding followed once the openings were sealed and dry.

• Window measure fee handled before order to confirm sizing
• Delivery and dump fees covered demo haul-off
• Closed-cell foam chosen for its moisture block, not just insulation
• Old cladding removed and disposed of

What were the results?

The home reads clean and modern from the street, with tighter windows behind a durable shell. Heat gain through the old frames is gone, and the new siding will hold its finish for years. This retail project landed in the $25k–$30k range.

• Continuous air seal from window frame through siding
• Wood-grain look without wood's rot and repaint cycle
• No lingering demo mess after haul-off