Siding & Windows in Steiner Ranch, Austin, TX

Why did this Steiner Ranch home need new siding?

The original cladding had taken years of abuse from Austin summers and spring hail. Steiner Ranch sits in hill country, where limestone soil and constant sun push older exteriors hard.

The homeowner found us through an internet search and wanted a lasting fix, not another patch job.

• Homeowner reached out May 30, 2023
• Home showed wear typical of Central Texas exteriors
• Retail project valued in the $75k–$100k range
• Goal was a durable, low-maintenance exterior

What did we find during the inspection?

Our walkthrough showed the exterior needed more than a face-lift. Several window openings were failing, and the old sheathing had weak spots that needed a full rebuild underneath.

We planned to remove some existing windows, stud up those openings, and side over them for a cleaner wall line.

• 17 windows flagged for replacement
• Some openings marked to stud up and side over
• Sheathing rebuild required before any siding
• Deck flashing needed at the bottom of the siding

What materials did we use, and why?

We chose James Hardie 8.25" primed plank as the core of this project. Fiber cement is the smart pick for Austin because it holds up where wood fails. It won't rot, it resists hail impact, and it shrugs off the 100-degree stretches we get every summer. That matters in Steiner Ranch, where homes take direct sun with little tree cover.

Under the new plank, we installed 1/2" OSB sheathing to give the siding a flat, solid base. A weak base is what most homeowners get wrong. Fresh siding over soft sheathing just fails again in a few years. We also added deck flashing at the bottom of the siding to keep water from wicking up behind the boards. One note worth flagging: this job used horizontal Hardie plank, not Sierra vertical panel.

How did the installation go?

We split this project into two on-site phases. Windows went in first, then siding and paint followed weeks later once the units were confirmed and the wall prep was ready.

The 17 windows were ordered August 4 and arrived late September. Our crew installed them over four days in early October.

• Siding install ran over multiple days in late November
• Fascia and soffit painted up to 24 inches
• Paint followed the siding install closely
• Sherwin Williams supplied the coatings

What were the final results?

The home now wears a clean, modern exterior built to last decades. New windows seal tight against Austin's cedar pollen and summer heat, while the Hardie plank handles whatever the weather throws at it.

We completed the punch list on December 6, 2023, and closed out the job January 4, 2024.

• Full exterior refresh with matched paint
• Sealed, flashed window openings throughout
• Roll-off loads handled all tear-off debris
• Delivered as a single coordinated retail project