Siding & Exterior Painting in Wilshire Wood, Austin, TX

Why did this Wilshire Wood home need new siding?

The original siding had lived through decades of Central Texas weather and was showing it. Older exteriors in this neighborhood take a beating from 100-degree heat, sudden hail, and swings between wet and bone-dry.

• The homeowner was a returning client who trusted us with a bigger job
• Original boards were past patching and needed full replacement
• Skirting near the base needed repair before new work could start
• Old deck boards were removed to give the crew clean access to the wall

What did we find once we opened up the walls?

Siding this age rarely comes off clean, and this house was no exception. Once we stripped the old boards, we could inspect the wall behind them and address problems most homeowners never see. We replaced the wall sheathing with new 7/16" OSB, which gives the fiber cement a flat, solid base to fasten into. Then we wrapped everything in Tyvek ThermaWrap LE (R2), a weather barrier that keeps wind-driven rain out while letting the wall breathe. Skipping that layer is the most common mistake we see on cheaper re-side jobs, and it leads to trapped moisture and rot down the road.

What materials did we use, and why?

We went with James Hardie HardiePlank 8.25" Prime Smooth for the field siding. Fiber cement is the right call in Austin because it handles our climate in ways wood simply can't.

• Won't warp or swell in triple-digit summer heat
• Resists hail impact far better than older wood siding
• Doesn't feed insects the way natural wood does
• The 8.25" smooth profile gives a clean, modern lap line

How did the electrical and permitting work?

This job needed a city permit and a full electrical shut-off, so we handled both before any siding went up. Re-siding around live meter boxes is not something to improvise.

• Permit pulled through the City of Austin
• Licensed electrician (Harbison Electric) removed the meter and electrical boxes
• Siding was installed clean behind where the boxes sat
• The meter and boxes were reinstalled once the wall was finished

How did the exterior painting finish the job?

Paint isn't just looks on fiber cement, it seals and protects the surface. We used Sherwin Williams coatings across the whole exterior once the siding cured. The team painted the field siding, the fascia, the soffit up to 24 inches, and the entry doors for a fully unified finish. Under relentless Texas UV, a quality coating is what keeps color from fading and locks moisture out of every seam. The house went from patchwork and worn to one clean, cohesive color.

What were the results?

The home now has a durable, sealed exterior that should hold up for decades with little upkeep. Straight lines, fresh paint, and a proper weather barrier underneath.

• Full wall rebuilt from sheathing out
• Yard cleaned twice and punch items closed out
• Meter safely reset and power restored
• A low-maintenance shell built for Wilshire Wood's climate