Full New Exterior in Aurora: James Hardie Siding, New Soffits, and Gutters
This Aurora home needed a full siding replacement. The homeowner chose to go with James Hardie fiber cement siding throughout. We also installed new OSB sheathing for this home, which is recommended by James Hardie for the best possible installation of their fiber cement siding. Since we were already pulling the old gutters to replace the fascia, replacing those at the same time made practical sense.
What We Did
- Removed existing siding and installed new OSB sheathing
- Installed all new James Hardie siding and soffits in Mountain Sage
- Installed new James Hardie trim and fascia in Arctic White
- Replaced gutters, which were detached during the fascia work
Replacing Gutters at the Same Time as Fascia
One thing homeowners don't always realize going into a siding project: if your fascia is being replaced, your gutters have to come off first. The gutters attach directly to the fascia board, so there's no way around it. Once they're off, it's worth taking a close look at their condition before you put them back up.
If the gutters are older, sagging, pulling away from the house, or showing corrosion, reinstalling them after new fascia is a short-term fix. You'll likely be back to address them in a year or two anyway. Doing it at the same time means one mobilization, one disruption, and a cleaner finished result where everything is new and properly aligned.
This logic applies to other components as well. Siding projects often reveal conditions behind the wall that weren't visible before. Addressing those findings before closing the wall back up is always the right call, even when it adds to the original scope.
For James Hardie siding specifically, proper installation over sound sheathing matters for long-term performance. Fiber cement is a durable material, but it depends on a solid substrate and correct installation to perform the way it's designed to.
Aurora, Colorado
Aurora's climate is tough on exterior materials, and this home is now set up well for the years ahead. New fiber cement siding and soffits, new trim and fascia, and new gutters all installed together as a cohesive system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did replacing the fascia mean the gutters had to come off?
Gutters mount directly to the fascia board. To remove and replace the fascia, the gutters have to be detached first. Once they're off the house, it's a natural point to evaluate whether they should go back up or be replaced.
What is OSB sheathing, and why does it matter for siding?
OSB (oriented strand board) is the structural panel that sits behind your siding and connects to the wall framing. It provides a surface for the siding to fasten to and contributes to the wall's overall rigidity. If it's damaged, deteriorated, or non-existent, it needs to be replaced before new siding goes on, or the new installation won't have the backing it needs.
How do I know if my OSB sheathing is damaged?
You often can't tell from the outside. Damage is usually discovered when siding is removed. Signs that sheathing may be compromised include soft or spongy spots when pressing on the siding, visible moisture damage around window or door edges, and mold growth on interior walls near the exterior. A contractor can assess it once the old siding is off.
What's the difference between siding, soffit, fascia, and trim?
Siding covers the main wall surfaces of the house. Soffit is the horizontal material that covers the underside of the roof overhang. Fascia is the vertical board that runs along the edge of the roofline, where the gutters attach. Trim refers to the boards around windows, doors, and corners. On this project, all four were replaced with James Hardie products.
Is James Hardie siding a good choice for Colorado homes?
Fiber cement siding handles temperature swings and moisture well, and it's a non-combustible material, which is a meaningful consideration in Colorado given wildfire risk. James Hardie's products are engineered for specific climate zones, and the Colorado Front Range falls into their requirements for cold, wet conditions.