GaryMc said:

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Actually, ours was about in the middle of the pack this builder completed in the development. Later came the nearest one, more-or-less like ours, followed by two 6,000 sf monstrosities (ours is roughly half that size) and one or two others with stucco exteriors. These and other earlier ones all have had various repairs and remodeling over the past few years. The stucco houses have remained more nearly like-new than any of the cedar ones.

I'm starting to research the fiber cement lapped siding idea, and from what I initially read getting a competent installer is more than half the battle. Yeah, 20 years ago I would have tackled the job, but now there are too many high places not easily accessible for these old bones. See that basement window in the pic of the back of the house? That is my shop, where I would much rather be than up 2½ stories on kludged scaffolding and ladders, trying to do a quality job the first time through anything of this sort.

Any ideas on what to look for in the way of an installer? Also, does anyone have the dimensions of the HardieLap boards (website only says 8" width, 6.75" reveal)? The existing cedar has a 5½" "raised" portion and roughly a 1" channel. I'm wondering whether just the bad cedar boards could be replaced directly with Hardieboard as a stop-gap measure.

As to whether there may be structural damage behind the siding, this remains to be seen, but I carefully looked for problems two years ago when the new roof was installed, and found no evidence of water leaks or such anywhere around the top.

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The Hardilap is available in 8.25" and 7.25" (both in 12' lengths). A roofing nailer is really the only efficient way to fasten it. As far as a contractor goes, I don't know what to tell you. It is not very difficult. I make a couple of blocks to use as a jig to space the claps. hook the jig beneath the bottom board (leveled of course) and lay the next board on top. Stagger joints and check for level every couple of boards. I cut my boards with a 4" dry cut tile saw (HF mini circular saw), but a grinder with a diamond blade is fine too. I did nearly every piece myself, but my house is a small bungalow.

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