Five Steps to Transform Your Home's Exterior
Chicago-based influencer, Jennifer Lake of Style Charade, shares her Midwest lake house transformation using Hardie® siding, and the journey she took to get there.
When preparing for the gut renovation of our Wisconsin lake house, we knew the home's exterior was just as important, if not more so, than the interior. Sure, I adore all things interior design but, having been a homeowner for more than 15 years, I knew a home's exterior should never be overlooked.
After hearing for years about Hardie® siding, we knew they would be the perfect brand for the job. After all, they’re an industry leader, and our entire design team recommended them. In fact, that’s why we chose to purchase and re-side our primary residence in Chicago using Hardie® products. One winter, we were having issues with water leaks from outdated siding from another brand. Since upgrading, we've seen (and felt) a difference in how our home is protected.
If Hardie® siding can put up with Chicago's four seasons, our lake house in Wisconsin would be in good hands.
Choosing the right exterior siding product
Re-siding your home is a BIG decision. Huge. Friends, this is a significant investment, but the results are worth it. Beyond creating stronger curb appeal, quality siding adds to a home’s value, may provide insurance benefits, and the list goes on and on.
No one really prepares you to become an expert in all things siding. Certainly not me! Questions flooded my brain. Things like, “How do you pick the material?” “What qualities should you look for?” And of course - “What color?!”
Today, I thought it might be helpful to dive into some of our key learnings from our experience. Plus, you’ll see the final transformation.
Hopefully these tips and tricks will help make your process even easier.
Why we chose Hardie® siding
After choosing to completely gut renovate our vacation home in Wisconsin, we knew it was important to select a siding solution that can stand up to the elements. The Midwest experiences the extremes of all four seasons, which brings on unique challenges like snow, ice, and even pests.
Opting for Hardie® siding was more than just a renovation decision. Many years ago, my husband and I wanted to purchase and renovate a lake house. Both of us grew up enjoying the lake life, and we wanted a space away from the bustling city. Above all, we viewed it as a chance to spend more quality time with friends and family.
As such, we worked diligently to find a place where we could do so and create a space of serenity for generations to come. Best of all, Hardie® products have all the qualities to make that dream a reality.
Hardie™ Designer: A Game-Changer
One of the most exciting parts of the process was using the Hardie™ Designer, powered by Hover®, a design visualizer. It allowed us to visualize our design ideas on a model of our actual home—yes, the actual home! We could instantly swap out different siding colors and styles to see how various combinations would transform the look. From Arctic White to Timber Bark, seeing the colors in real time made it much easier to find our perfect palette.
Another bonus? The app lets you share your design with contractors so they can bring your vision to life seamlessly. It’s like having a design assistant right in your pocket. If you’re indecisive like me, this tool is a lifesaver!
Benefits of upgrading to Hardie® fiber cement
Making the switch from vinyl siding to Hardie® fiber cement siding came with a host of benefits, including protection against harsh Midwest winters since it’s engineered for climate-specific performance.
We also love that it is low maintenance, and with James Hardie’s ColorPlus® Technology finishes, the siding’s color remains vibrant and resists fading.
Another key learning was that re-siding with Hardie® siding and trim significantly boosts curb appeal and can also help with a home’s value - a total worthwhile investment.
Design Personalization
For the lake house, we chose Arctic White Hardie® Panel & Hardie® Trim for a board and batten look, paired with Arctic White Hardie® Shingle Straight-Edge siding. It’s this mix of profiles and textures that gives off that coastal vibe we love. Think less “beachy” and more “sophisticated retreat,” if you will.
Working with our architect and designer, we crafted an exterior that's both modern and classic. Amelia, our interior designer, immediately loved the idea of a board and batten style to help achieve a timeless, cottage feel.
We also selected the Hardie® Shingle Straight-Edge siding, which provides the look of cedar shingles without the maintenance. It’s a nod to one of our favorite destinations, Nantucket, and ties together the home’s lakeside charm perfectly.
Positive Reactions from Guests and Neighbors
When we hosted our first post-renovation gathering, the compliments from friends and family poured in. Neighbors stopped by to admire the transformation and were amazed at how the new siding completely revitalized the home’s look.
One guest even commented that it felt like stepping into a storybook retreat—high praise we’ll happily take! Move over, Nancy Meyers. :)
Jenn Lake's Five Steps to Re-Siding a Home
For anyone thinking about re-siding, here are some pieces of advice and tips based on our experience:
Tip #1: Start with Inspiration
What exterior colors, textures, and siding catch your eye? We started by creating a private Pinterest board and shared it with our design team. The board was full of inspiration and ideas - colors that inspired us and siding combinations that looked great together. I also loved checking out the James Hardie blog, which provided a treasure trove of ideas.
Tip #2: Budget, Budget, Budget
Renovations are no joke, so budgeting is key during every step of the process. Siding was one of the first major decisions we had to make, so we chatted with our builders very early on to get a sense of costs. We also reviewed how much materials we would need, including overages in case we ran out of materials.
Keep in mind, if you run out of materials, you need to reorder which can delay the process for everyone involved. Thankfully, the company website has a number of resource guides to help accurately estimate the amount of materials needed for each project.
Don't forget to get a sense of installation costs. I'm someone who gets super excited by the new. Selecting the siding? I had an absolute blast. But while I was picking colors and siding styles, I wasn't thinking about the install budget. Bob was on the job and incorporated it into the big picture. Just trying to help you avoid tunnel vision (like me!). :)
Don't have an installer yet? Thankfully, James Hardie's team can also connect you with pros in your area.
Tip #3: Map Out the Project
Once we had a sense of all the costs, we started mapping out our project. Think colors, specific siding products and styles, and pulling it all into a spreadsheet. James Hardie can also help you figure out what you need and when, which is helpful for timelines.
Tip #4: Make a List, Check it Twice
Next, we sat down with the team to create a detailed punch list. Basically, this list encompasses everything we needed to get done, who was responsible for it, and deadlines for all parties.
In general, knowing the scope keeps projects on track (and ideally, within budget)!
Tip #5: Make Room for the Renovation
Lastly, we prepped our outside spaces. Friends, renovations can get messy. Therefore, it helps to make room for materials. Deep breaths are also helpful - remind yourself it’s all part of the process! :)
Revamping your home's exterior can significantly enhance curb appeal and property value. Hardie® siding offers an array of options to elevate your home's appearance, combining style with unparalleled durability.
If you’re in the market for new siding, we wholeheartedly recommend James Hardie. Hardie® siding was a natural selection for our lake house renovation. I’d even go so far as to say it’s one of the best design and home material decisions we’ve made to date. Both our primary and vacation homes feature their products, so we’ve experienced firsthand how well they perform in both urban and lakefront environments.
Sure, you all know I love a gorgeous aesthetic upgrade moment. :) But this decision was about so much more than beauty. It’s about peace of mind, knowing our home is protected and built to last for decades.
That peace of mind? Invaluable.
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