Completed: March 2026
Location: Sevier Ave., Knoxville, TN
James Hardie Board Siding Installation in South Knoxville
There is a certain kind of stress that comes with owning an old home. You love the character, the neighborhood, and the history in every creak of the wood floor or stairway. But there is always a never-ending list of projects that need attention. That was the situation for the owner of this 100-year-old home on Sevier Avenue in South Knoxville. Next up was the exterior. Paint was peeling. Water was finding its way in. In some areas, rot had taken hold. The materials the home was built with had simply reached the end of their life, and no amount of patching was going to fix that.
The homeowner had a clear goal from the start: protect the home without changing its vintage charm. This is a house that belongs on Sevier Avenue. Changing its look to solve a moisture problem was not the answer. A call to Smith Roofing & Exteriors started the conversation about what an exterior overhaul would involve. The solution was James Hardie HZ10 fiber cement lap siding, a product designed to handle East Tennessee’s heat and humidity while maintaining the classic horizontal wood-plank look.
Stripping the old siding revealed the full picture. Older homes carry the record of every change made to them over the decades, and this one was no different. Windows and doors had been replaced at different times, and the framing showed it. Rotten wood was found in several areas, with the most significant damage at the front porch.
With the siding removed, it was the right time to address these issues. Structural wood was replaced, not patched. Weak wall sections were replaced with new OSB sheathing, giving the new siding a solid base. Tech-wrap house wrap was then installed across the exterior, adding a needed weather barrier.
New trim was installed around the window openings. Beyond appearance, this improved the seal at each window, which had been inconsistent over the years. New soffits were installed next, completing the look and adding ventilation to the attic.
Stopping water at the walls is only part of the equation. Managing water from the roof matters just as much. The homeowner chose to install oversized 6-inch gutters in a complementary Royal Brown color. Standard residential gutters are 5 inches, and the larger size moves more water away from the home, helping protect the walls and foundation where it could cause new damage.
The finished home looks much like it always has, which is exactly the point. The Mountain Sage siding, white trim, and restored front porch structure fit naturally into the Sevier Avenue neighborhood. Beneath that familiar look is a weather-tight exterior, fiber cement siding built for long-term performance, and a gutter system designed to handle heavy rain. One more major project checked off the homeowner’s list.
Project Specifications & Additional Upgrades
- Primary Material: James Hardie HZ10 siding — Mountain Sage
- Gutters: 6″ Gutters — Royal Brown
- Soffits: James Hardie vented & non-vented soffit on the eaves and rakes
- Protection: Tech-wrap house wrap
- Structural: OSB wall board additions and new structural wood in damaged areas
Dedicated Project Manager: Gregg Faulkner
Does your South Knoxville home need siding?
If you are wanting to learn more about James Hardie and how it protects your historic home in Knoxville or anywhere else in East Tennessee, schedule a meeting for a free, no-obligation quote.