Everyone loves the wow factor that comes with an incredible transformation. That’s why home improvement shows make such a big splash with their reveals.
Renovating your home’s exterior gives you the opportunity for your own splashy makeover. Not only will your home look fantastic when the project is done, but new fiber cement siding also provides a high return on investment.
The projects below are fantastic examples of what is possible with a stunning remodel. They all have different sets of circumstances, but they all look amazing (especially when you see where the project started). Use these five incredible home exterior makeovers to inspire your project.
Removing Vinyl Siding for a Refreshed Exterior
This split-level home in Calgary, Alberta had new owners who were eager to refresh the overall look of the exterior. In addition to looking dated, the cream-colored vinyl siding was worn and damaged, and needed to be replaced.
The homeowners contacted Hubbard Roofing & Exteriors for a full upgrade. Hubbard installed new HardiePlank® lap siding with ColorPlus® Technology in Deep Ocean, and HardieTrim® boards in Arctic White. They also removed the old brickwork, which was replaced with gray stone for a more modern flair.
In addition to beautifully standing out in the neighborhood, the home’s new siding will help it stand up to Calgary’s cold-weather climate and sometimes extreme hailstorms.
Saying Goodbye to Troubled Stucco
In the suburbs around Philadelphia, it’s not uncommon to find homes clad in stucco that are now experiencing problems. This West Chester home was no different. Over the years, moisture had infiltrated its exterior walls, which was causing the original stucco to fail and develop mold.
That’s where Edward Griffin Construction came in. The company removed the disintegrating exterior and replaced it with HardiePlank lap siding in Gray Slate and HardieTrim boards in Arctic White. The contractor also had the opportunity to enhance the look of the home with a few design changes.
“We changed the right elevation to an A-frame from two dormer windows,” the company said. “Paired with a porch being added to the front entry way, we believe the house looks so much more impressive now.”
The look was finished with an inviting red front door, metal roof accent on the porch, and new dark shutters to match the home’s color palette.
No More Engineered Wood Siding
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Carp’s Complete Exteriors was called to the home when the homeowners began noticing trouble with their exterior. The engineered wood siding was rotting and needed to be replaced, which is not an uncommon issue in the area, said company President Chad Carpender.
The homeowners, Carpender said, opted for James Hardie fiber cement siding because they wanted a long-lasting and durable material.
Carpender worked directly with the homeowners and used virtual design software to help them select a color palette. They chose HardiePlank lap siding in Khaki Brown, and HardieShingle® siding accents in Iron Gray. Carpender’s company also installed a handful of other accents, including a cedar garage trellis, cedar porch columns and soffit.
The homeowners now have a stunning new exterior with a rustic flair.
An Old Farmhouse Renovation
Originally built in the 1880s in a northwest Chicago neighborhood, this old farmhouse was covered in vinyl siding during a previous renovation.
With the exterior falling apart, there was an opportunity for the owners to breathe new life into their home. They contacted Erdmann Exterior Designs to help restore some of its historic charm.
“The goal of the project was to make the house into more of a modern version of the original, while not getting caught up in the trendy all-white farmhouse style,” said company owner Kyle Erdmann.
For the new exterior, Erdmann used smooth HardiePlank lap siding, HardiePanel® vertical siding, and HardieTrim batten boards in Countrylane Red, along with HardieTrim boards in Monterey Taupe.
“We’d never done this color combination before and it exceeded all of our expectations,” Erdmann said.
The result was a beautiful, long-lasting new look for the home that paid homage to its roots.
Upgrading a Weather-Worn Wood Façade
Facing south, the front of this home in Vancouver, British Columbia, is subject to intense sun and other damaging weather. Over time those factors took a toll on the cedar shake siding, and it was time for it to be removed.
The homeowners called AZ Siding to help them select and install a new material that would stand up to the sunshine and other elements of the Vancouver climate.
To maintain the authentic look to which they had grown accustomed, the homeowners chose to replace the original shake with staggered-edge HardieShingle siding. They also chose Evening Blue to maintain a similar color palette.
The new fiber cement siding gave the homeowners a low maintenance solution and a beautiful upgrade to the front of their home.
If you need even more inspiration for your home, you can see hundreds of great styles and color palettes that other homeowners have used for their projects on the #myhardiehome page.
-by Michael Buck, James Hardie Blog: https://www.jameshardie.com/blog/5-home-exterior-makeovers?loc=refresh