Siding questions, answered

Yes. Fiber cement does not rot, swell or get eaten by insects the way wood can. It still has to be installed over a properly flashed wall, because water that gets behind any siding will find the sheathing. That is why the flashing and house wrap matter as much as the boards.

ColorPlus is James Hardie's factory-applied, baked-on finish. The boards arrive already colored, so there is less field painting, and the finish is applied in controlled conditions rather than on a damp Oregon afternoon. Many homeowners like it for that reason; we can go over color and finish options at your free estimate.

It depends on the size of the house, how many stories, how much trim and how much rot turns up under the old siding. Most single-family homes are a matter of weeks, not days, and weather in the wet months can add time. Dave gives you a realistic schedule when he looks at your house.

The product carries James Hardie's manufacturer warranty. Terms can change and depend on the product line and finish, so ask Dave for the current terms and what they cover and do not cover.

We tear off the old siding. Covering it up hides rot, traps moisture and leaves no chance to flash the windows correctly. Taking it down to the sheathing is the only way to see what is really going on.

Rules differ between Gresham, Portland and the other cities and counties we work in, and they can depend on how much of the wall is opened up. Our guide on siding permits covers the basics, and Dave can tell you what applies to your address.

Cedar is a naturally durable wood and has been used on Northwest houses for generations, but it needs good installation and upkeep. Back-priming, proper clearance, flashing and a maintained finish are what separate cedar that lasts from cedar that rots at the bottom course.

It depends on the exposure and the finish. South and west walls take more sun and rain and wear faster; sheltered walls last longer. Plan on periodic recoating and ask Dave what to expect for your house.

Often, yes. Many homes from the 1950s through the 70s and Craftsman homes have cedar lap or shingles, and we can talk about matching profile, exposure and width. If a perfect match is not available, there are ways to blend a repair so it does not stand out.

Hardie asks for less upkeep. Cedar gives you real wood grain, a look that is hard to copy and an easy-to-repair material. Both do well when installed correctly, and Dave installs both. Our Hardie vs. cedar guide goes deeper.

We do not offer painting as a standalone service. We can coordinate with a painter or stainer, and it is best to have the finish go on promptly after the siding is up.

Push a screwdriver into the wood. If it sinks in easily or the wood crumbles, it is rotted. Check the bottom courses, under windows, at corners and where a deck or roof meets the wall. Our dry rot guide has more signs.

It depends on how far the damage goes. A few boards or a window corner can often be repaired. If the rot is wide, the sheathing is wet in many places or the siding is failing overall, replacement can make more sense. Dave will tell you which he sees.

Because the cause was not fixed. Rot is a symptom of a leak: bad window flashing, no kick-out flashing, siding touching the ground or deck, failed caulk. We look for the source, not just the damage.

Usually, yes. Matching cedar or older lap profiles can take some work, and Hardie can be blended in. Paint color matching is a separate job; we can coordinate painting.

Water damage grows in the wet months, so earlier is usually cheaper than later. A small repair on a dry day can be handled in any season, and Dave can tell you what is safe to do now and what should wait.

If rot has reached the sheathing or framing around the siding, we cut it out and replace it as part of the repair. If it goes beyond that, Dave will say so and explain what he sees.

Fascia is the board along the roof edge, where gutters usually attach. The soffit is the underside of the overhang, between the fascia and the wall. Together they cap off the roof edge and often provide attic ventilation.

No. Dave does not do gutters or roofing. When we replace fascia, a gutter installer may need to remove and re-hang the gutters, and we are happy to coordinate with whoever you trust.

Common choices are primed wood, cedar and fiber cement such as James Hardie's HardieTrim, depending on the look and location. Dave will talk through what suits your house and budget.

Usually water. A roof or gutter leak, a clogged gutter overflowing at the edge, or condensation from poor attic ventilation can soak the soffit. The fix is to find the source and then replace what is damaged.

Yes, in many cases. Window casings, corner boards, soffits and fascia can be replaced on their own. If you are re-siding soon, it is usually smarter to do the trim at the same time so it all gets flashed and sealed together.

Often, yes. The question is how the window will be flashed and trimmed into the wall. Sometimes siding has to be opened up around the window, and Dave will tell you what he sees before work starts.

We will talk through options like vinyl, fiberglass or wood-clad windows, and what each means for cost, upkeep, frame size and appearance. Vinyl windows are fine; it is vinyl siding that Dave doesn't install.

A single window or slider can be done in a day, but custom-ordered windows can take weeks to arrive. We'll give you a realistic timeline when we write up the job.

Usually because of how they were installed, not the window itself. Missing sill flashing, tape that was never lapped correctly or caulk used instead of flashing can let water into the wall.

Yes. Replacing a sliding glass door means re-flashing the opening, setting the new door level and square, and tying it into the weather barrier. That can also be a good moment to fix rot at the threshold.

Often, yes, especially for decks attached to the house or raised off the ground, though rules vary by city and county. Dave can explain what applies at your address, and our permits guide has the basics.

We will talk through options like pressure-treated lumber, cedar and composite decking, and what each means for cost, upkeep and look. The best choice depends on your budget and how much maintenance you want.

Sometimes. Rotted boards and railings can be replaced. If the posts, beams or ledger are failing, repair may not be enough. Dave will look and tell you straight.

A deck attached to the house is one of the most common places water gets into a wall. If the ledger board isn't flashed correctly, water runs behind the siding and rots the framing. That is why a sider building decks makes sense.

We don't offer painting or staining as a standalone service, but we can coordinate with someone you trust. Wood decks do need regular sealing in our climate.