James Hardie siding matched to your Martinez home

Custom Exteriors replaces siding on Martinez homes with James Hardie fiber cement, in profiles chosen to fit the age and character of each house. Martinez has been the Contra Costa County seat since 1850, and its housing ranges from pre-war homes near the historic downtown to 1970s and 1980s neighborhoods in the hills. James Hardie siding resists rot, moisture, and pests, is classified as noncombustible, and carries a 30-year non-prorated product warranty. Our own full-time crews install it, not subcontractors, and we have served Martinez from our Pleasanton showroom since 1997, with 30,000+ completed projects.

Martinez homes span more than a century

Martinez has a wider range of home ages than most cities we serve, and the right siding depends on which era your house comes from. About 9% of Martinez homes were built before 1940, more pre-1940 homes than most Central Contra Costa cities. Nearly a quarter were built in the 1970s, and another quarter in the 1980s. The median home dates to 1977.

That range means the siding problems vary too:

Pre-war homes often have original wood siding with many layers of paint, rot at the lower courses, and gaps that have opened over decades.
Mid-century homes often have wood or early composite siding that has been patched and repainted many times.
1970s and 1980s homes are often on their first siding, which is now 40 to 50 years old and showing swelling, soft spots, and paint that will not hold.

Whatever the era, we inspect the sheathing underneath when the old siding comes off and repair water damage before the new siding goes on.

Choosing siding by your home's era

James Hardie makes profiles that can recreate the look of original siding on almost any Martinez home, while removing the rot, pest, and repainting problems of wood.

For pre-war and older homes near downtown

HardiePlank lap siding in a smooth finish recreates the look of traditional painted wood lap siding.
Hardie Artisan siding is thicker, with deeper shadow lines that read closer to historic milled wood.
HardieShingle siding suits gables and upper stories that originally had wood shingles.
HardieTrim boards in wider widths help keep the proportions of traditional corner boards and window casings.

For mid-century homes

HardiePlank lap siding in wider exposures keeps the long horizontal lines common on homes from this period.
HardiePanel vertical siding works for accent walls and updated exteriors.

For 1970s and 1980s homes

HardiePlank lap siding is the most common replacement for original lap siding from this era.
HardiePanel vertical siding replaces plywood panel siding, or creates a board and batten look for a fresher exterior.

James Hardie's ColorPlus Technology is a factory-baked finish that holds color longer than paint applied on site, backed by a 15-year limited finish warranty. For older homes where you want a specific historic color, primed James Hardie siding can be painted on site in any color. Our East Bay siding color guide and full-size displays in our Pleasanton showroom help you compare.

Learn more about James Hardie siding

Historic downtown homes and design review

If your home is in Martinez's Downtown Historic Overlay District, plan for design review before your siding project. Martinez's zoning code routes proposals in the overlay through the City's design review process, and refers them to the Martinez Historical Society for comment.

The rules depend on whether your building is listed:

Buildings on the City's historic resource inventory are subject to mandatory standards. For these, the City may expect in-kind materials that match the original, and fiber cement may not be approved. Check with the Planning Division before you choose a material.
Other properties in the overlay follow advisory guidelines, with historic considerations reviewed case by case. James Hardie profiles that match the original look are often a good fit here.

We will tell you honestly if we think fiber cement is unlikely to be approved for your home. Where it is a fit, we prepare the product specifications, profile details, and color samples the review needs.

Why we install James Hardie siding

James Hardie fiber cement is the only siding we install, because it gives Martinez homes the look of traditional siding without the upkeep. After evaluating siding products for nearly three decades, it is what we recommend to every homeowner.

Rot and pest resistant. Fiber cement does not rot or swell when it gets wet and does not attract termites or woodpeckers.
Noncombustible. James Hardie siding is classified as noncombustible when tested to ASTM E136, with a Class A flame spread rating under ASTM E84. Wood siding is neither.
Built for this climate. James Hardie engineers its siding for specific regional climates through its HardieZone system.
A real warranty. A 30-year non-prorated limited product warranty on the siding, plus a 15-year limited warranty on the ColorPlus finish.

Permits and older homes

Siding replacement in Martinez usually needs a building permit from the City of Martinez Building Division at City Hall, and Custom Exteriors handles it for you. Homes in the Downtown Historic Overlay go through design review first.

More than half of Martinez homes were built before 1980, so older paint layers often contain lead. We are EPA Lead-Safe RRP Certified and follow lead-safe work practices when removing old siding, which matters most on pre-war homes with many paint layers.

Replacing siding and windows together

If your windows are original or decades old, replacing them with your siding usually gives you a better result. With the siding off, we can install new windows using the new construction method, so each opening is fully flashed and sealed. For older homes, it is also the best chance to correct water damage around window openings that has built up over years.

See our Martinez replacement windows page for the Infinity by Marvin fiberglass windows we install, including profiles suited to traditional homes.

Why Martinez homeowners choose Custom Exteriors

Martinez homeowners hire us because they can verify who does the work and who stands behind it.

Full-time employee installers, not subcontractors. The crew that installs your siding works for Custom Exteriors. Here is why that matters.
Local since 1997. We have served Central Contra Costa County from Pleasanton for nearly three decades, with 30,000+ completed projects.
Older-home experience. Lead-safe certified, and familiar with design review for historic properties.
Third-party recognition. Diamond Certified and BBB Accredited. See our awards and reviews.
Warranty coverage. James Hardie's product warranties plus our own product and labor warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I use fiber cement siding on a historic home in Martinez? A: It depends on whether your home is listed on the City's historic resource inventory. Listed buildings in the Downtown Historic Overlay District follow mandatory standards and may need in-kind materials. Other properties in the overlay follow advisory guidelines, and James Hardie profiles that match the original look are often a fit. Check with the City's Planning Division, and we will help you prepare for design review.

Q: Can James Hardie siding match the look of old wood siding? A: In most cases, closely. Smooth HardiePlank lap siding and thicker Hardie Artisan siding recreate traditional painted wood lap siding, HardieShingle siding recreates wood shingles, and wide HardieTrim boards keep traditional trim proportions.

Q: Do I need a permit to replace siding in Martinez? A: In most cases, yes. The City of Martinez Building Division issues the permit, and homes in the Downtown Historic Overlay District go through design review first. Custom Exteriors handles the permit and inspections for your project.

Q: My home was built in the 1970s. What should I replace its siding with? A: HardiePlank lap siding is the most common choice for 1970s homes with original lap siding. If your home has plywood panel siding, HardiePanel vertical siding is the direct replacement, or you can switch to a board and batten look. We can show you both in our Pleasanton showroom.

Q: Is James Hardie siding fire resistant? A: James Hardie siding is classified as noncombustible when tested to ASTM E136 and has a Class A flame spread rating under ASTM E84. To see whether your Martinez address falls in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone, check the State Fire Marshal's online viewer.

Q: How much does James Hardie siding cost in Martinez? A: Cost depends on the size of your home, how much old siding has to come off, how much water damage we find underneath, the profile and finish you choose, and how much trim is involved. Older homes with many paint layers and more trim detail usually cost more. See our siding pricing guide for the main factors. We provide free, itemized estimates so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Ready to replace the siding on your Martinez home?

Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation. We will look at your current siding, check for damage underneath, talk through which profiles fit your home's era, and give you an itemized estimate, with no obligation. Prefer to see the products first? Our Pleasanton showroom has full-size James Hardie displays.

Visit our Pleasanton showroom (2142 Rheem Drive, Suite E, Pleasanton, CA 94588) Phone: (925) 249-2280

Financing options

We offer 18 months with no payments and no interest if the balance is paid in full within the promotional period, or 4.99% financing on approved credit. Ask about options during your consultation.

See financing details

Nearby areas we also serve

Custom Exteriors also installs James Hardie siding in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Clayton, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek, and serves Benicia across the Carquinez Strait. See everything we offer in Martinez, or view our full service area list.