Wood Siding Houston
Rot creeping up from the bottom boards or paint that won't stick? Get damaged boards replaced and matched to the original look.
Call (832) 924-3926- Cedar and pine lap siding
- Original profiles matched
- Primed on all sides before install
Wood Siding Houston TX: Keeping the Original Look
Wood lap siding is what gives many older bungalows and cottages their character. When it's kept painted and off the ground, it lasts a long time; when water gets behind the paint, it rots from the bottom up.
Replacing wood with wood means matching the board width, profile and reveal so new sections disappear into the old ones. Mills can copy most older profiles if the exact board isn't sold anymore. Wood lap is still common on older homes across Houston, Texas, and Houston, TX historic districts have their own rules for it.
Where Rot Starts
Rot shows up in the same places on most houses:
- Bottom boards near soil, mulch or sprinklers
- Under windowsills and around door trim
- Below gutters that overflow or leak at the seams
- Where a roof or deck meets the wall
Probe suspect spots with a screwdriver. If it sinks in, the board needs replacing, and the sheathing behind it should be checked while it's open.
Historic Districts
In a city historic district, changing the siding on a contributing house needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission before work starts. New material has to be visually compatible with the old in form, texture, size and scale.
In at least one recent case, city staff recommended removing fiber cement that went up without approval and putting wood back. If your house is in a district, the contractor should plan for that review.
Paint peeling off soft boards? Have the rot cut out.
Call (832) 924-3926Cedar, Pine or Engineered Boards?
- Cedar: naturally resists rot and insects and holds paint or stain well. It costs the most.
- Pine or other primed softwood: lower cost and easy to match to older profiles, but it needs paint kept up.
- Engineered wood: resin-bonded strands with a wood look, often factory primed. It's an option outside historic districts.
Keeping Paint On
Humidity is hard on painted wood. Boards last longer when they're primed on all sides, including the back and cut ends, before they go up, and when there's a small gap at butt joints so they can dry.
After that, plan on caulking and repainting on a regular cycle. If you'd rather not keep up with paint, see the other materials in a full Houston siding replacement company project.
Older-Home Questions
What does replacing wood siding cost?
Whole-house siding replacement typically runs about $10,000 to $25,000, and typical repairs run about $700 to $3,300. Cedar costs more than pine.
Can you replace just the rotted boards?
Yes, if the rot is limited and the profile can be matched. The new boards are primed and painted to blend in.
How often does wood siding need painting?
It depends on sun exposure and paint quality, but plan on repainting every several years and checking caulk in between.
Can I switch from wood to fiber cement?
Usually, yes. In a historic district, the commission has to approve the change first.
Is termite damage common behind wood siding?
It can be. Termites are active in Harris County, so damaged framing is often found once old boards come off.
Is my part of Houston covered?
Yes. Call (832) 924-3926 and enter your ZIP code when asked.
Keep the Character, Lose the Rot
Call to talk with a local contractor about matching your boards.
Call (832) 924-3926