James Hardie siding for Sunnyvale Eichlers and mid-century homes

Custom Exteriors replaces aging siding on Sunnyvale homes with James Hardie fiber cement, with special care for the Eichler and mid-century homes that define many Sunnyvale neighborhoods. Our own full-time crews install it, not subcontractors. James Hardie siding resists rot, moisture, and pests, is classified as noncombustible, and carries a 30-year non-prorated product warranty. We have served Bay Area homeowners since 1997, with 30,000+ completed projects.

What wears out siding in Sunnyvale

In Sunnyvale, siding fails from age and water, not wildfire. City staff have confirmed Sunnyvale is not in a state-designated Wildland-Urban Interface hazard zone, so wildfire construction rules do not apply here. The real threats to Sunnyvale siding are quieter:

Plywood siding at the end of its life. Much of Sunnyvale's mid-century housing was built with grooved plywood siding that delaminates, splits, and rots at the bottom edges after 60-plus years.
Irrigation and sprinkler overspray. Lawns and planting beds keep the lowest courses of siding wet year after year.
Termites and dry rot. Wood and plywood siding near soil and landscaping give both an easy start.
Paint that will not hold. Once the wood underneath breaks down, repainting buys less time with each cycle.

James Hardie fiber cement addresses all four. It does not rot, swell, or delaminate, and it does not attract termites.

Re-siding an Eichler the right way

Eichlers are some of the most distinctive homes in Sunnyvale, and their siding is part of what makes them Eichlers. By the mid-1950s, Joseph Eichler had moved away from horizontal siding to plywood siding with closely spaced vertical grooves, designed to complement his modern homes. Sunnyvale adopted Eichler Design Guidelines in 2009 to help homeowners preserve that character during remodels.

Here is how we approach an Eichler siding project:

Measure the original groove pattern. We measure the spacing of your existing grooves from the center of one to the center of the next. That number drives every other decision.
Match the vertical lines. HardiePanel vertical siding is the James Hardie product for Eichlers. We show you the closest available groove pattern next to your original siding.
Tell you honestly if it is not a close match. Fiber cement panels do not come in every groove spacing Eichler used. If the closest James Hardie option will not read as a good match on your street-facing walls, we will say so before you commit.
Check Sunnyvale's guidelines first. Some Eichler neighborhoods have design guidance or zoning overlays. We help you confirm with the City's Planning Division what applies to your home.
Keep the color palette right. Eichlers look best in muted, earthy tones. James Hardie's ColorPlus finishes include a range of earth tones, and primed panels can be painted any color your neighborhood's guidance calls for.
Replace trim and fascia in kind. Eichler fascias and trim are simple and flat. HardieTrim boards keep those clean lines without wood's upkeep.

Siding for Sunnyvale's other mid-century and newer homes

Not every Sunnyvale home is an Eichler, and most need a simpler answer: siding that lasts and stops the repainting cycle.

HardiePlank lap siding is the most common replacement for original lap siding on ranch homes.
HardiePanel vertical siding replaces plywood panel (T1-11) siding, or creates a board and batten look.
HardieShingle siding adds a cedar shake look to gables and accents.

ColorPlus Technology, James Hardie's factory-baked finish, holds color longer than paint applied on site and is backed by a 15-year limited finish warranty. Our East Bay siding color guide and full-size displays in our Pleasanton showroom help you choose.

Learn more about James Hardie siding

Permits, design guidelines, and heritage districts in Sunnyvale

Siding replacement in Sunnyvale usually needs a building permit through the City's One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall, and Custom Exteriors handles it for you.

Two local rules are worth checking first:

Eichler Design Guidelines. If your home is in one of Sunnyvale's Eichler neighborhoods, check with the Planning Division whether your siding project is reviewed under the City's Eichler Design Guidelines.
Heritage Housing districts. Sunnyvale has Heritage Housing combining districts meant to preserve the appearance of certain historic residential neighborhoods. If your home is in one, Planning review may apply.

If you have an HOA, its approval may also be needed. We provide product specifications, groove details, and color samples for any review.

If your home was built before 1978, including most Eichlers, older paint layers may contain lead. We are EPA Lead-Safe RRP Certified and follow lead-safe work practices during removal.

Replacing siding and windows together

If your windows are also due for replacement, doing both at once 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. On Eichlers, it is also the right time to address the large glass walls that define the house.

See our Sunnyvale windows page for the Infinity by Marvin fiberglass windows we install.

Why Sunnyvale homeowners choose Custom Exteriors

Sunnyvale 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.
Honest about fit. We will tell you if James Hardie is not the right match for your Eichler before you sign anything.
Permits and design review handled, including product details for Eichler and heritage district review.
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 James Hardie siding match my Eichler's original siding? A: Often closely, but not always exactly. HardiePanel vertical siding recreates the vertical lines of original Eichler plywood siding, but fiber cement panels do not come in every groove spacing Eichler used. We measure your original pattern, show you the closest James Hardie option side by side, and tell you honestly if it is not a good match.

Q: Does Sunnyvale review siding changes on Eichlers? A: It may. Sunnyvale adopted Eichler Design Guidelines in 2009, and some neighborhoods have zoning overlays. Check with the City's Planning Division before starting. We provide the product specifications and samples needed for any review.

Q: Is Sunnyvale in a wildfire zone? A: No. City staff have confirmed Sunnyvale is not in a state-designated Wildland-Urban Interface hazard zone. James Hardie siding is still noncombustible under ASTM E136, but in Sunnyvale the main reasons to choose it are rot, pest, and moisture resistance and lower upkeep.

Q: Do I need a permit to replace siding in Sunnyvale? A: In most cases, yes. Permits come from Sunnyvale's One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall. Custom Exteriors handles the permit and inspections for your project.

Q: My siding is plywood with vertical grooves and it is falling apart. What should I replace it with? A: HardiePanel vertical siding is the direct replacement. It keeps the vertical look in fiber cement that will not delaminate, rot, or attract termites.

Q: How much does James Hardie siding cost in Sunnyvale? A: Cost depends on the size of your home, how much old siding has to come off, how much water or termite damage we find underneath, the profile and finish you choose, and how much trim is involved. 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 Sunnyvale home?

Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation at your home. We will measure your current siding, check for damage underneath, show you the closest James Hardie match, and give you an itemized estimate, with no obligation.

Schedule a no-pressure consultation | 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 San Jose, and serves nearby Mountain View, Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Los Altos. View our full service area list.

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