Before
After
Project Overview
Tore off failing original Masonite siding on a Greer two-story, repaired the hidden water damage underneath, and re-clad the entire house in painted fiber-cement lap siding with new wrap, flashing, and exterior trim package.
The Challenge
The Masonite hardboard siding installed during the original 1996 build was swelling, splitting at the bottom courses, and showing paint failure across the south wall. When we opened the wall during the assessment we found water damage at the rim joist and around two windows — replacement was no longer optional.
Our Solution
We tore off the existing siding and rotted sheathing, repaired the rim joist and re-flashed both windows, then wrapped the house in a high-performance house wrap with sealed seams. We installed pre-finished fiber-cement lap siding with proper z-flashing at horizontal transitions, painted-to-match window and corner trim, vented soffit panels, and seamless aluminum gutters. The new envelope is rated for 25+ years in Upstate humidity with paint-grade refresh every 12–15 years.
Scope of Work
- Full tear-off of existing Masonite siding, trim, and corner boards
- Repaired water-damaged rim joist and OSB sheathing in two locations
- Re-flashed two windows and one exterior door with metal pan flashings
- Installed high-performance taped house wrap across full envelope
- Installed pre-finished fiber-cement lap siding (HardiePlank or equivalent)
- Painted-to-match window casing, corner boards, frieze, and soffit trim
- Replaced soffit and fascia with vented aluminum / PVC system
- New seamless aluminum gutters and downspouts color-matched to trim
Materials & Products
- •HardiePlank-class fiber-cement lap siding, pre-finished
- •Taped house wrap (high-perm drainable WRB)
- •Metal pan flashings at all penetrations
- •PVC and aluminum trim package
- •Seamless .032 aluminum gutters and 3×4 downspouts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why fiber cement instead of vinyl?
In the Upstate's humid, UV-heavy climate, painted fiber cement holds its color and shape far better than vinyl, doesn't warp around dryer vents or grill setups, and reads as a higher-end product on resale. The upcharge over vinyl is typically 30–60%, depending on house size.
How long does a full re-side take?
Two to three weeks on a typical 2,000–2,800 sq ft home, including tear-off, any rot repair, wrap, siding, trim, paint touch-up, and cleanup. Rot discoveries can add a few days; we document them with photos and a written change order if they extend the schedule.
Did insurance cover any of the water damage repair?
Not in this case — gradual rot from worn-out siding is generally classified as maintenance, not a covered loss. If the underlying damage had been caused by a specific storm event, we would have helped document and submit a claim.