Service · D&E Mako Renovation
Siding installation and replacement
New siding is only as good as the wall under it. We strip it, fix what we find, wrap it properly and then hang fiber cement, vinyl, engineered wood or cedar shake that lines up at every corner and window.
Most siding jobs we get called to are not about looks. Something is loose, a wall is soft behind a downspout, paint will not stay on the old wood, or the house has outlived its aluminum. People search for a siding contractor when the wall has a problem, and the honest answer usually starts with taking the old siding off.
We are a carpentry crew first, which matters on siding. A siding installer who only hangs panels works around rotten sheathing and crooked corners. We cut out the bad sheathing, straighten what can be straightened, flash the windows and doors properly and only then put the new siding up. On the stone gambrel house in Lower Merion shown on this page, that meant new ZIP System sheathing on the addition, taped seams, then lap siding on the walls and cedar shakes on the gambrel ends.
We install siding on old farmhouses, stone houses with frame additions, 1950s and 1960s ranches and brand-new houses. Most of our siding work is fiber cement lap siding, often James Hardie, because it holds paint, does not rot and handles Pennsylvania freeze and thaw. We also install vinyl when the budget calls for it, LP SmartSide engineered wood, board and batten, and real cedar shakes.
Lower Merion TwpDec 2025What we do
What our siding work covers
Everything below is done by our own carpenters. If a job needs a roofer, electrician or plumber, we bring in trades we know and tell you who they are.
Full siding replacement
Old siding off, sheathing checked board by board, housewrap or ZIP System, flashing, new siding and trim.
Fiber cement and James Hardie siding
Lap, panel, board and batten and shingle profiles, cut and fastened to the manufacturer's spec so the warranty holds.
Vinyl and LP SmartSide
Lower-cost options installed with proper starter strips, J-channel and room for expansion, so the panels do not buckle in summer.
Cedar shake gables and accents
Real cedar or fiber cement shakes on gables, dormers and bays, the way older houses around here were built.
Siding repair
Matching and replacing damaged boards, fixing water damage behind the siding, and resetting loose or cracked pieces.
Trim that goes with it
Window and door casings, corner boards, frieze, fascia and soffit in PVC or fiber cement trim, all done by the same crew.
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Our siding work in photos
Every photo is from our own jobs. The label on each one says where and when it was taken.
Lower Merion TwpDec 2025
Lower Merion TwpDec 2025
Lower Merion TwpJul 2025Lower Merion TwpDec 2025
Manheim areaApr 2025
Hunterdon Co., NJSep 2024
BroomallMay 2025
Lower Merion TwpJun 2025Siding materials we install, and where each one makes sense
| Material | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber cement (James Hardie, Allura) | Older houses, painted looks, long life, fire resistance | Heavy, needs proper blades and dust control, joints must be flashed |
| Vinyl | Tight budgets, rentals, low upkeep | Can look thin up close, needs room to move or it buckles |
| LP SmartSide engineered wood | Wood look at a lower price, sheds and garages | Cut ends must be sealed, keep it off the ground |
| Cedar shake | Gables, dormers, historic houses | Needs a rainscreen gap and finish care |
| Board and batten | Farmhouse look, accent walls, additions | Vertical joints and batten spacing must be laid out first |
How a siding job goes
The same five steps on a small repair or a whole house. The estimate is free and nothing starts without your signature.
- 1
Look at the wall, not just the siding
We pull a piece or two where water usually gets in, around windows, under roof lines and at downspouts, and tell you what is behind it.
- 2
Written estimate by area
Siding, trim, sheathing repair allowance and disposal are separate lines, so you can see where the money goes.
- 3
Strip, repair and wrap
One wall at a time so the house is never open overnight. Bad sheathing comes out, wrap or ZIP System goes on, every window and door is flashed.
- 4
Hang and trim
Siding goes up with straight courses that line up with window heads and sills. Corners, casings and frieze are fitted, not caulked to hide gaps.
- 5
Walk-around and cleanup
We walk every wall with you, magnet the yard for nails and haul away the old siding.
Siding projects
Jobs where this work was part of the scope. Place and month on every card come from the camera.
Google review · June 2026
“They came to my home, looked over what I needed done… They were very pleasant and professional and completed the job in the time they stated.”
Perry Rosado
“I highly recommend this specialist! Very professional, reliable, and detail-oriented. Everything was completed on time and at the highest quality. I'm extremely satisfied with the results and will definitely use their services again!”
Talk to us about your siding project
Tell us what is going on and send a few photos if you can. We will come and look, and give you a written price, line by line.
- Call or text
- (509) 530-8685
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Siding: common questions
Should old siding be removed before new siding goes on?
Almost always, yes. Covering old siding hides rot and water damage, makes the window trim look sunken and can void the new siding's warranty. Taking it off is the only way to see and fix the sheathing.
Is fiber cement worth the extra cost over vinyl?
On a house you plan to keep, usually yes. Fiber cement does not rot, does not melt next to a grill, holds paint for many years and looks like painted wood. Vinyl costs less up front and needs less upkeep, so it makes sense on rentals or tight budgets.
How long does it take to re-side a house?
A typical two-story house takes our crew two to four weeks depending on how much sheathing needs repair and how much trim is involved. We work one wall at a time, so the house is closed up every night.
Can you match the siding I already have for a repair?
Often, yes. Most fiber cement and vinyl profiles are still made. When an exact match is gone, we take boards from a hidden wall for the repair and put new siding on the hidden wall.
Do you install James Hardie siding?
Yes. Most of our fiber cement work is James Hardie lap siding and trim. We follow Hardie's clearances, fastening and joint flashing details, which is what keeps the warranty valid.
Do you work in winter?
Yes, with care. Fiber cement and cedar can go up in cold weather. Some caulks and paints have temperature limits, so finishing work may wait for a warmer day.
Guides on this topic
All guides- Guide
Siding replacement cost in Pennsylvania: what a whole house really costs
Replacing siding on a typical house costs roughly $3.50 to $15 per square foot of wall in 2026, installed. For a 1,500 square foot wall area that means about $5,000 to...
Read the guide → - Guide
Board and batten siding cost: vinyl, fiber cement and wood compared
Board and batten siding usually costs about $5 to $7 per square foot of wall installed in vinyl and about $8 to $13 per square foot in fiber cement in 2026, with real...
Read the guide → - Guide
Should old siding be removed before new siding goes on?
Some contractors will offer to install new siding right over the old. It saves a day or two of labor and a dumpster, so the quote comes in lower. We almost never do it,...
Read the guide → - Guide
Fiber cement vs vinyl vs LP SmartSide: which siding fits your house
Most people choosing new siding end up deciding between three materials: fiber cement, vinyl and engineered wood such as LP SmartSide. All three are good products when...
Read the guide → - Guide
Fiber cement siding cost in Pennsylvania: what you actually pay for
Fiber cement siding costs more than vinyl and less than real wood or stone. National cost guides put it at roughly $5 to $14 per square foot installed, which works out...
Read the guide →