Engineered Wood Siding Replacement with James Hardie Cedarmill Lap Siding

This home underwent a complete exterior transformation after years of exposure had taken a toll on the original engineered wood siding. Older engineered wood siding can become vulnerable to swelling, deterioration, moisture intrusion, and rot—especially in the wet Pacific Northwest climate.

The homeowners chose Elite Home Exteriors NW to remove the aging engineered wood siding and rebuild the exterior with a complete James Hardie fiber cement siding and waterproofing system designed for long-term performance.

Removing the Old Engineered Wood Siding

We began the project by carefully tearing off and disposing of the existing engineered wood siding and exterior trim. Removing the old siding allowed our team to expose and inspect the underlying wall assembly before installing any new materials.

This is an important part of a professional siding replacement project because problems caused by years of moisture exposure can remain hidden behind the exterior siding. Once the walls were exposed, we were able to inspect the substrate and prepare the exterior for the new weather-resistant siding system.

Homeowners considering a similar project can learn more about our James Hardie siding contractor services and how we approach complete siding replacement projects.

HydroGap Drainable House Wrap for Improved Moisture Management

After preparing the exterior walls, we installed HydroGap® Drainable House Wrap as the new weather-resistive barrier.

Unlike a basic house wrap, HydroGap incorporates a drainage gap that helps provide a pathway for bulk water to drain behind the siding. This additional drainage capability is particularly valuable for homes throughout the Pacific Northwest, where wind-driven rain and extended periods of wet weather can put exterior wall assemblies to the test.

A properly installed weather-resistive barrier is one of the most important components behind a new siding system because the siding itself is only one layer of the home’s overall moisture-management system.

HydroFlash Membrane Around Windows & Critical Areas

Proper flashing is just as important as the siding itself.

We installed HydroFlash® Membrane around windows, doors, penetrations, and other vulnerable areas of the building envelope. The membrane was integrated with the HydroGap Drainable House Wrap to create a more complete water-management system behind the new James Hardie siding.

Taking the time to properly integrate the WRB and flashing system helps protect the wall assembly from one of the most common causes of premature siding failure: water intrusion behind the exterior cladding.

Z-Metal Flashing for Critical Horizontal Transitions

We also incorporated Z-metal flashing at required horizontal transitions and other critical areas.

Z-metal flashing helps direct water outward and away from the wall assembly rather than allowing moisture to collect behind siding and trim.

Proper flashing details are an essential part of a professional siding installation and contribute significantly to the long-term performance of the complete exterior system.

James Hardie Cedarmill Lap Siding – 7-Inch Board Reveal

For the new exterior, the homeowners selected James Hardie® Cedarmill Lap Siding installed with a 7-inch board reveal.

Cedarmill provides the traditional textured appearance of wood siding while delivering the durability and performance of fiber cement. The 7-inch exposure creates clean horizontal lines and gives the home a timeless Pacific Northwest appearance.

You can learn more about the manufacturer’s fiber cement siding products directly from James Hardie.

James Hardie siding is engineered to resist many of the problems commonly associated with traditional wood and older engineered wood siding, including:

• Moisture-related deterioration
• Warping and swelling
• Woodpecker and pest damage
• Cracking and splitting associated with aging wood products
• Excessive maintenance requirements
• Damage caused by demanding Pacific Northwest weather conditions

Homeowners interested in this siding system can also learn more about our James Hardie siding installation services.

James Hardie Trim Installation

New James Hardie® Trim was installed around windows, doors, outside corners, and other architectural details.

Using James Hardie Trim alongside Cedarmill lap siding creates a cohesive exterior system while providing crisp, substantial architectural lines around openings and transitions.

Attention to these smaller installation details is what helps separate a basic reside from a professionally designed and installed exterior siding system.

OSI QUAD MAX Caulking & Weather Sealing

Exterior joints and required siding-to-trim transitions were professionally sealed using OSI® QUAD® MAX Window, Door & Siding Sealant.

QUAD MAX is designed for demanding exterior applications and provides excellent flexibility and adhesion. Properly installed exterior sealant works together with the flashing, weather-resistive barrier, and siding system to help protect vulnerable exterior joints against moisture intrusion.

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior Finish

The completed James Hardie siding and trim system was finished with Sherwin-Williams® SuperPaint® Exterior Acrylic Latex.

A high-quality exterior coating provides an additional finishing layer while allowing the homeowners to customize the appearance of their new exterior.

The finished result combines the durability of James Hardie fiber cement siding with professional waterproofing, flashing, caulking, and exterior paint for a complete siding system designed specifically for demanding Pacific Northwest conditions.

A Complete Exterior Siding & Waterproofing System

This project was much more than simply installing new siding.

Every layer of the exterior was addressed—from removing the aging engineered wood siding to installing a modern drainable weather barrier, membrane flashing, Z-metal flashing, James Hardie siding and trim, professional exterior sealants, and a premium Sherwin-Williams paint system.

The result is a dramatically updated exterior with improved durability, moisture management, curb appeal, and long-term protection.

Homeowners considering a similar transformation can view additional completed siding installations in our siding project photo gallery.

Why Choose Elite Home Exteriors NW for James Hardie Siding?

At Elite Home Exteriors NW, our siding projects are built around the entire exterior wall system—not simply the siding homeowners see when the project is complete.

We pay close attention to the details behind the siding, including the weather-resistive barrier, window and door flashing, drainage, metal flashing, penetrations, trim transitions, caulking, and proper James Hardie installation practices.

Our goal is to provide homeowners with an exterior siding system designed to handle the wet and demanding conditions found throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Have questions about siding replacement, waterproofing, James Hardie products, or our installation process? Visit our Siding FAQ page for additional information.

Siding Project Materials Used

• Existing Siding Removed: Engineered Wood Siding
• New Siding: James Hardie® Cedarmill Lap Siding
• Siding Exposure: 7-Inch Board Reveal
• Exterior Trim: James Hardie® Trim
• Weather-Resistive Barrier: HydroGap® Drainable House Wrap
• Flashing Membrane: HydroFlash® Membrane
• Metal Flashing: Z-Metal Flashing
• Exterior Sealant: OSI® QUAD® MAX Caulking
• Exterior Paint: Sherwin-Williams® SuperPaint®

Considering Replacing Old Engineered Wood Siding?

If your home still has aging engineered wood siding, visible deterioration, swelling, loose siding, failing paint, or signs of moisture intrusion, it may be time to have the exterior evaluated.

Elite Home Exteriors NW specializes in removing aging siding, inspecting the underlying wall assembly, addressing necessary repairs, and installing complete James Hardie siding and waterproofing systems.

Our siding replacement projects are designed around more than curb appeal. We focus heavily on flashing, drainage, moisture management, weather protection, and proper James Hardie installation practices to help protect your home for years to come.

Contact Elite Home Exteriors NW to schedule your siding replacement consultation.