As if the blue and mauve trim inside the house weren’t enough, the exterior trim needed attention too. When we bought this house we knew there were four major issues to address: the roof and furnace, several damaged trees, and significant rot in the siding and trim that required replacement and a full repaint. We were prepared for those problems, so the surprise sting was softened. Here’s a closer look at the siding and what we did to fix it.
This hole was large enough for a bat or a mouse to crawl in — definitely gross and something that needed immediate attention.
Several pieces of wood trim and siding were beyond repair and had to be replaced. The rest needed thorough cleaning, scraping, priming and two coats of paint to protect it from future rot. Because the damage was widespread and much of it high off the ground, we decided to hire professionals. After getting four estimates, we chose a local chain, Certa Pro Painters, recommended by a neighbor and a friend. Their flexibility also let us save about $1,000 by agreeing to handle some easier areas ourselves.
After selecting the contractor, we had to pick colors. We wanted the trim one color and the siding another to add dimension. We didn’t hate the existing cream-on-cream look, but we liked the idea of a putty tone that would relate to the brick and tie the palette together. After comparing swatches around the neighborhood and on our paint deck, we chose a putty color for the siding and a neutral white for the trim and windowsills.
At first we picked a lighter putty, but it looked too washed out on the house. Luckily, we noticed just as the first coat went on and asked the crew to use the darker putty as the second coat. Because it was only a shade darker, coverage was excellent and the final result was much richer and balanced with the brick and shutters.
The darker putty added depth and prevented the siding from reading as too light or cream-like. The white trim pops now and complements the brick without competing with it. Seeing the team apply the final color made a big difference in the house’s overall presence.
The work itself was interesting to watch. The crew power-washed the house first, scraped loose paint, and primed any exposed raw wood. They painted two coats on siding and trim and one coat where they were going from cream to white. Damaged wood was cut out and replaced; in total they repaired about 20 pieces of rotten siding and trim. The schedule ended up being one day for power-washing, two days for rot repair and scraping, and two days for priming and painting.
They used Sherwin-Williams Duration exterior paint, which provided excellent coverage and durability. Our final color choices were Snowbound for the white trim and Anonymous for the putty-colored siding.
We’re delighted with the results. We learned the helpful tip to go a shade darker than you think for exterior paint, since sunlight can wash out color. Seeing the darker putty applied made all the difference; the siding now complements the brick and shutters instead of fading into the background.
Here’s what the house looked like when we bought it:
And here it is now, a bit closer. The new paint adds dimension and reduces the heavy brown look.
The roof replacement was a major upgrade, but the fresh paint makes a noticeable difference too. The white trim around the windows and porch railing looks crisp from the curb, and we still find ourselves doing a double take as we approach the house.
The back of the house used to feel unbalanced, with one area appearing too light. After repainting, the siding reads more evenly and integrates better with the rest of the structure.
The sunroom, which had been cream, now feels crisper and more connected to the house. The dark storm windows echo the darker tones in the brick and siding, making the sunroom blend instead of looking like an afterthought.
When it comes to cost, rot repair and exterior painting vary widely by region, extent of damage, and house size. Our repairs cost roughly $1,000 for wood replacement and over $2,000 for scraping and painting. We also received a 10% discount through a local membership, so it’s worth asking about discounts when getting estimates.
Paying for the work stung, but we saved $1,000 by offering to handle a few of the easier areas ourselves: the garage doors (we’ll likely paint them a tone darker than the siding), the interior of the sunroom, and the front door and sidelights. Tackling those parts gives us time to choose colors and keeps some of the fun DIY projects for ourselves—especially the front door, where every swatch is still a contender.
One small mishap: a screw in the driveway flattened a tire, but the repair only cost $29, so it wasn’t a disaster. Home improvement can be expensive and messy, but the payoff of a protected, refreshed exterior and a house that finally looks and feels right is worth it.
We spent money and a little patience, but now our house looks cohesive and well cared for — and we’re glad to be done with the rot. Home improvement takes a toll, but seeing the finished result makes it all worthwhile.