A Prior Lake couple noticed their siding had started swelling at the laps and fading in the sun, leaving them to decide between patching two damaged sides or starting fresh with something built to last. What began as a call for a simple repair turned into a full exterior upgrade once the numbers were laid out side by side.
The homeowners live in a split-level home in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where their original Masonite fiberboard siding had been deteriorating for years. Two sides of the house were in rough shape, with swelling and moisture damage at the panel laps, while the other two sides were holding up but showing faded paint. Sharp Exteriors was called out to evaluate the siding and provide options for repair versus a full James Hardie siding replacement.
Key Takeaways
- THE CHALLENGEAging Masonite fiberboard siding was swelling at the laps on two sides of the home while paint faded across the entire exterior.
- THE INSTALLSharp Exteriors installed James Hardie lap siding with 6-inch corners and window surrounds across all four elevations, along with new soffit and fascia.
- THE RESULTThe homeowners got a durable, factory-finished exterior in two complementary blues after winning a competitive bid against other contractors.
Josh, with Sharp Exteriors, walked the homeowners through two options: repair the two damaged sides and repaint the entire house, or replace all the siding with a prefinished product. Once the independent painting bid came back, the cost gap between painting the whole house and replacing all the siding turned out to be fairly small. Since factory-finished siding paint typically lasts 15 to 25 years compared to five to eight years for a field-applied paint job, the full Siding Replacement made more practical and financial sense than a partial fix.
Project Summary
| Client Profile: |
Homeowners in Prior Lake, Minnesota |
| Project Location: |
Prior Lake, MN |
| Primary Objective: |
Replace deteriorating fiberboard siding with a durable, factory-finished exterior through a full Siding Replacement |
| Material Selection: |
James Hardie lap siding with 6-inch corners and window surrounds, installed via James Hardie Siding Installation |
| Key Outcome: |
New siding installed across all four elevations, replacing failing Masonite board and improving soffit ventilation |
Diagnosing Failing Masonite Siding
During the initial inspection, Josh found the old Masonite fiberboard siding swelling at the laps on two sides of the home, a common failure point for that discontinued product. The other two sides were in better shape structurally but still showed fading paint that signaled the material was reaching the end of its useful life. Masonite siding of this type has been pulled from the market entirely, so any spot repairs would have required a different product, such as LP SmartSide or James Hardie, scabbed in and repainted to match.
Rather than mix repair techniques across the house, Josh gave the homeowners two full estimates: one for repairing the two worst sides and repainting the entire exterior, and one for a complete siding replacement. Because painting an entire house is not cheap, and because the two untouched sides would likely need repainting again in two to four years as the old material continued to age, the repair-only option didn't hold up well against a full replacement.
Installing James Hardie Lap Siding
Once the homeowners chose full replacement, the crew removed the old Masonite siding from all four elevations and installed James Hardie lap siding with 6-inch James Hardie corners and window surrounds on the front, right, rear, and left sides of the home. To help manage cost without sacrificing appearance, the team used an aluminum coil window trim wrap instead of solid James Hardie trim around the windows, a technique that is difficult to distinguish from solid trim once installed. The home also received two complementary shades of blue siding, a deep ocean blue paired with a second tone that made the white trim stand out.
The project also included soffit and fascia work that hadn't been part of the original scope discussion but ended up improving the home's ventilation. The crew removed the existing vinyl and wood soffit, cut open the eave soffit for airflow, and installed ventilated soffit on the eaves with solid aluminum soffit on the rakes, finished with custom-bent aluminum fascia. Homeowners considering a similar upgrade can review the Twin Cities Service Area Sharp Exteriors covers to see if their neighborhood is included.
James Hardie lap siding installed in two complementary blue tones with aluminum coil window trim wrap.
Results: A Durable, Distinctive Exterior
The finished home showed a clear difference between the old, deteriorating Masonite siding and the new James Hardie installation. The two-blue color scheme complements the white trim throughout, and the existing window bumpouts on the side of the house, which were left untouched and simply trimmed out, blend naturally into the new siding. Sharp Exteriors won the job in a competitive retail bid against other contractors, and the homeowners have been happy with the results since completion.
After the installation, the homeowners had a few questions about spots above the windows that appeared to be missing caulk, a detail Josh explained is intentional. Those specific areas are left open by design so any trapped moisture behind the siding has an escape route, with cap flashing doing the job of directing water away instead. Homeowners weighing a similar project can read more Customer Reviews & Ratings from other Sharp Exteriors clients before moving forward.
Ready for New Siding in Prior Lake?
We have replaced failing Masonite, wood, and vinyl siding for homeowners across Prior Lake and the greater Twin Cities area, matching materials and colors so the finished home looks cohesive from every angle. Our team walks through repair versus replacement costs upfront so there are no surprises once the work begins.
Have questions about whether repair or full replacement makes more sense for your Prior Lake home? Reach out to Sharp Exteriors today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why replace Masonite siding instead of repairing it in Prior Lake?
Masonite fiberboard siding has been discontinued and can no longer be matched exactly, so repairs require a different product such as LP SmartSide or James Hardie scabbed into the existing wall. Once the cost of repainting a full house is factored in, a complete replacement with factory-finished siding often ends up close in price and lasts significantly longer.
How long does James Hardie siding last in Minnesota?
James Hardie siding comes with a factory-baked finish that typically lasts anywhere from 15 to 25 years, compared to five to eight years for a field-applied paint job. That durability makes it a strong fit for Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles and seasonal weather swings.
Why do some areas above windows stay uncaulked during siding installation?
Certain siding laps above windows are intentionally left open to allow any trapped moisture behind the siding to escape rather than getting sealed in. Cap flashing handles directing water away from the window, and caulking those areas can actually trap moisture and lead to leaks, which is why building inspectors flag it when it's done incorrectly.