Siding is still the name of the game here. And progress is steadily being made.
It’s really not that it’s slow, per-say. It’s just a lot of work and a lot of ladders and a lot of steps and a lot of cutting.
So it’s definitely taken longer than anticipated.
I’ve had a few questions about the type of siding we chose and why. We bought LP SmartSide trim and siding from our local Menards. (To be clear, this is not sponsored. We chose the siding and bought it on our own.)
We chose engineered wood for a few reasons:
- We like the look of wood siding. It feels authentic to an old farmhouse and has a traditional look. We also like the look of the wider planks.
- We can choose the exactly colors we want. Millions of shades and colors – basically any paint color. This is actually a little crazy-inducing, because there are so many choices. But I like having the options.
- We can repaint down the road. By choosing wood siding, we’re giving ourselves the flexibility to keep this siding for a long time by repainting and extending its life. Hopefully by the time it needs painted, our darling son will do it for us. (What? A momma can dream.)
- Wood can be a concern when it comes to rot. But the engineered wood is manufactured to resist mold and rot.
- The price was affordable and within our budget.
Speaking of price. We bought this siding more than 2 years ago. Like, before we had a house plan.
Why?
Because our local Menards was moving to a new store and some of the larger items were marked down to incredibly low prices so they wouldn’t have to move it. We ended up bringing home 2000+ square feet of siding for about 70 percent off, if I remember correctly. It’s been sitting in storage for this entire time, waiting to see its day in the sun.
Ryan is 105 percent over the siding project. He can barely walk from going up and down so many ladders. And if you know Ryan, you know he never complains about crappy projects. But this siding project will not be done soon enough for him.
Over. It.
I like to take pictures when the guys are both just sitting there because it gives the impression that down time happens a lot. It never happens. See Ryan’s face? That’s a face of someone who is over it. But Papa Bear seems to be still going strong.
Usually, they are working and ignoring me.
And Ryan’s dad’s on cut duty.
I love having the front “done” with siding. It’s fun to see it when we pull into the driveway.
And now the back view of the house – it almost looks done. Right? The dream team has been working hard all weekend to get more finished. And it’s looking amazing. All the heart eyes!
There was a lot of measuring and cutting for all the sides. It’s not a complicated home, but there are lots of windows. Many starts and stops.
After all the measuring, cutting and installation of the trim and windows, we had to go back and touch up paint. I tried to help on the areas I could reach without high ladders. Touching up the trim particularly made a huge difference in the finished product.
You can see that the garage side still needs to be completed. We’re planning to add shaker shingles on the top peak of this side (along with the front of the house).
Here’s the color we chose for the shingles – it’s a light grey (Behr MARQUEE Pumice). The painting is never-ending.
I really debated whether to paint the top the same color as the siding or something different. Several friends who I trust recommended going with the same color, but since we paid a little more for the shingles, I really wanted them to pop. So I thought a different color would be ideal. And Ryan actually preferred the idea of a different color, too.
We’ll also use the same color on the porch floor, so I think it will all fit together in the end.
The main siding color is perfection. After so much debating about the color, I’m very happy with the end result. (Behr MARQUEE Magnet)
And the mix with the white trim and black windows is a really nice ‘pop.’
Once the siding is installed, it’s time for more touch up paint and tons of caulking. So. Many. Windows. To. Caulk.
We’re getting closer and closer to finishing outdoor projects – and just in time for winter. (OMG WINTER IS COMING!)
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Brenlee @ Life on Lake Street says
Your house looks so great! The husband and I have been following your blog for awhile now- first, when we were thinking renovating and living above a garage (like you!) and now since we are building a home of our own. Thank you for being so open and transparent about the process and costs! So helpful! And everything looks amazing!
Kim Woodward says
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad it’s been helpful! Hope your home building is going well!
Amanda says
Absolutely gorgeous!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
I love seeing your progress! It looks so amazing! What a labor of love
Brittaney says
Aaahhh! So glad you went for a different color for the shingles. It looks soooo charming! Seriously what dreams are made of. I love it so much. And such great tips about the wood siding. Our house is a little old lady with vinyl siding and I hate it so much. This is great to know. Also, I love that Ryan and his dad are working on this together. Memories forever and ever. I know Justin would love to do this with his dad one day. We hope he gets healthy enough to do so. Love these updates and man oh man is it looking amazing. I am so thrilled for you guys. Xoxo
daisy says
I’m just thinking of all the natural light that will be streaming into that house. It’s gonna be gorgeous!
Kudos to Ryan and helpers for sticking with it.
Katrina says
Looks so so good!! Seeing the siding on your house gets me all giddy! It looks so pretty and I’m sure feels more like your home everyday!
Stephanie, Sandpaper and Glue says
it looks amazing so far! I love all the color choices, and the progress seems so fast.
Lisa H. says
It looks so good!!!! You guys are doing a great job. 🙂
Rita Templeton says
Heart-eyes for SURE! It looks fantastic! It’s so amazing to see everything coming together.
cathy Lafrenz says
Kim — you made an awesome choice! Yes …. you may never paint vinyl siding but it is 25-30 year product. And I have seen way too much faded vinyl! Wood can last a century …. easy.
And Honey and Ryan should have a beer to discuss being “over” siding …. and we still have soooooo much to do!
Miss Eff — the old house fanatic!
Kim Woodward says
I love hearing your take on this – since you are living in an old farmhouse! We actually went by our first house last week and I was appalled at how much the siding had faded in less than 8 years. 8 years??? It looks like a completely different color than when we sided. Any thoughts about how the painted wood siding will fade?
And I think that Ryan and Honey would definitely have plenty of commiserating to do. I think they should start a club for all the overworked, handy hubbies. 😉
Gretchen says
That color is SO good! And I am a fan of the different color for the top part, too! It’s looking just amazing–so exciting!
cassie @ primitive & proper says
oooooh my goodness!!! now it is really looking like a house!