My house is about to enter it's biggest project yet. I have five old rotten windows to replace. My front porch floor is rotting and the underlying structure is sinking so that will be rebuilt and put up railings that were taken off years ago. I am looking forward to using the full floor space right out to the edges without fear of falling off (or through!)!

But bigger than that is siding. I have many cracked clapboards and rotten corner boards. I have two areas that have small leaks as a result.

When I add the cost of piecemeal repair and then a whole paint job, I decided to just go for all new siding. That will make the window and porch work easier for the contractor as well.

I plan to use Hardie prepainted siding (no painting for 15 years). Anyone have experience with this?

A house in the neighborhood just had theirs done and it looks nice. Just wondering if there are any issues I should know ahead of time.

Thanks!

Is that the Hardie board that is made of something like concrete?

We had an old thread about this (maybe Lisa used it?) that caused me to look into it, when I was doing some outside work on my house. If I recall correctly, it was incredibly durable, but heavy and difficult to install, and thus expensive.

But maybe you're talking about a different Hardie product, or maybe I'm not remembering correctly.

I think Lisa is the one to ask, but I might be remembering that wrong, too.

Yes, Lisa has experience with this product.

I've never used it, but from what I understand it's a bit tricky to install. I would want a Hardie authorized installer and to have it installed exactly as called out in the Hardie installation specification, both for performance and warranty reasons.

We had it put on our Ferndale house (replaced failing LP siding). Really liked it, but would make sure you get somebody who knows how to do it.

Thanks! I have an excellent contractor which is why I piled on the projects. It is SO hard to get a good contractor right now..they are all so busy.

I am getting excited. I LOVE construction projects.

quote:

Originally posted by BeeLady:

I am getting excited. I LOVE construction projects.

It will be nice for you to have this construction done.

Congrats!

Projects, for sure! Hope all goes well. I need to learn the lesson from you. I am such a procrastinator!

Just after I posted I got a call from the first contractor (or his wife) asking it I got the quote...They had my email wrong and she resent it..I have been waiting for this over a month and had to reach out 2 or 3 times for them just show up..I get they are busy but..

To be clear, I had written an SOW (statement of work) that all contractors were given.

This proposal has so many errors in materials..and way too many TBD expenses...His final cost was just $500 under my fav contractor and does not include the siding replacement...so..

I am happy with the contractor I have chosen.

Had trouble getting Hardie to send me the correct color samples.

Contractor stopped by with them today..OMG..they are EXACTLY what I have on the house (and I want to preserve)..Easy decision.

Only issue is a pressure treated lumber demand...orders are delayed by weeks due to the pandemic..so many are doing home construction jobs here. He warned me the pressure treated wood would be very wet, so a longer delay in staining or painting. Fortunately, most is going on the sunny side of the house so that should help..still could a year before the final colors are applied.

So in an odd twist, I will get windows first (they usually take longer!) and they will side the house and garage right up to the porch..then pause..till the porch lumber comes.

I like how this guys thinks...get it done as best you can...I am good with that! Whoo hoo!

I plan to take vaca during construction. I asked him to put me to work!