This Chanhassen home on a bluff overlooking the Minnesota River Valley had a beautiful location but a failing exterior. The cedar shakes were weathered and leaking, leading to water intrusion around the windows due to improper flashing. The homeowners partnered with Craftsman’s Choice to restore their home with James Hardie Deep Ocean siding in an alternating 4″ and 7″ lap pattern, repairing hidden damage and delivering a durable, low-maintenance exterior with stunning curb appeal.
Project Specs
Location: Chanhassen, Minnesota
Home Style: Bluffside contemporary home
Problem: Weathered cedar shakes and improperly flashed windows caused leaks and water damage
Solution: Replace cedar with James Hardie fiber cement siding
Color: James Hardie Deep Ocean (alternating 4″ and 7″ lap pattern)
Accents: MarvinWindow replacements and cedar vertical siding in entry.
Result: Durable siding system with modern curb appeal that protects against Minnesota weather
Certifications: James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, Marvin Authorized Contractor
Project Overview
The existing cedar shakes on this Chanhassen home had seen better days. After years of exposure to rain, snow, and sun, the shakes had become discolored, cracked, and vulnerable to water leaks. Once the siding was removed, our team discovered significant rot and water damage around the window openings caused by improper flashing — a common issue with older cedar-clad homes.
Once the siding was removed, our team discovered significant rot and water damage around the window openings caused by improper flashing — a common issue with older cedar-clad homes.
To give the home long-term protection, the homeowners chose James Hardie fiber cement siding in Deep Ocean. Installed in an alternating 4-inch and 7-inch lap pattern, the siding adds depth and texture to the home’s modern lines while providing unmatched durability.
As part of the remodel, our crew repaired the damaged framing and ensured that all windows and openings were properly flashed for water management. The siding installation was finished with James Hardie’s factory-applied ColorPlus® Technology, ensuring the bold Deep Ocean color will resist fading and keep its rich appearance for decades.
Now complete, this home overlooking the Minnesota River Valley is both protected and elevated in design. What was once a leaking, high-maintenance exterior is now a showcase of modern style and resilience.
FAQs
1. Why replace cedar shakes with James Hardie siding?
Cedar shakes require regular upkeep and often leak or rot over time in Minnesota’s climate. James Hardie siding provides the look of wood with the durability of fiber cement.
2. What is an alternating lap pattern in siding?
An alternating lap pattern combines different board exposures, in this case 4” and 7”, to create a unique rhythm and visual texture on the home’s exterior.
3. How does James Hardie siding handle Minnesota weather?
James Hardie siding is engineered to withstand extreme freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow, and summer humidity without warping, cracking, or rotting.
4. Can water damage behind siding be repaired during installation?
Yes. When we remove failing siding, we often uncover hidden rot or damage. Our team repairs these issues before installing the new siding to ensure the home is structurally sound.
5. What makes Deep Ocean a popular color choice?
Deep Ocean is a bold, timeless shade in James Hardie’s ColorPlus® palette. It pairs well with modern architecture and natural settings like the Minnesota River Valley.
Glossary
Lap Siding: Horizontal siding boards installed with each piece overlapping the one below it.
Flashing: A thin waterproofing material used around windows, doors, and joints to prevent water intrusion.
Fiber Cement Siding: A durable siding material made of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, resistant to rot, pests, and weather damage.
