Siding Installation on the Boise Bench
James Hardie fiber cement and engineered wood siding installations on mid-century ranches and split-levels — modern lap profiles, aluminum siding removal, no Historic District constraints.
Replacing siding on a Bench home is one of the highest-impact and longest-lasting exterior investments available. The original wood lap siding on pre-1965 Bench homes is often 60–80 years old; aluminum siding from 1970s–1980s updates is now showing significant age too. Modern fiber cement (James Hardie) and engineered wood (LP SmartSide) products outperform original wood and aluminum for moisture resistance, paint adhesion, and dimensional stability. Without Historic District constraints, color and profile choices are flexible. Iron Crest installs Bench siding regularly and brings the technical performance and operational experience these projects require.
Siding strategy varies by era because original siding type and architectural conventions differ across the Bench's housing waves.
1940–1955: Early post-war minimal traditional
Original 7-inch reveal cedar or fir lap siding with painted trim, brick chimney accents, sometimes wood window shutters. Original siding profiles are simple beveled lap.
1955–1965: Classic post-war ranch
Original wood lap siding (typically 7-inch reveal) with simpler trim than earlier homes, brick chimney and accent details. Original wood is often still in place beneath later aluminum updates.
1965–1975: Expanded ranch and split-level
Original lap siding (often wood; some homes received aluminum siding in 1970s–1980s updates that's now showing age). Replacement strategy: remove existing siding back to sheathing, install modern fiber cement or engineered wood lap.
1985–present: Infill and renovated homes
Modern siding from original construction or recent updates. Standard siding replacement applies.
Bench siding projects fall into recognizable shapes based on what you're replacing and the home's architectural era.
1. The Full-House Replacement — mid-century ranch lap siding
Remove original wood or aluminum lap siding, install James Hardie or LP SmartSide lap siding matched to original 7-inch reveal, painted to modern color scheme. Includes housewrap, corner boards, trim integration.
Target homes: 1940–1985 Bench homes with original or aged aluminum siding. Permit: building permit; no Historic District review.
2. The Selective Replacement — failing elevations only
Replace siding on specific elevations that have failed (often south or west exposures from sun damage) while preserving siding on other elevations.
Target homes: Homes with localized siding failure. Permit: building permit if more than 25% of one elevation.
3. The Aluminum Siding Removal + Replace — exposing or replacing original wood
Remove 1970s–1980s aluminum siding (often installed over original wood), assess underlying original wood condition, replace with new fiber cement or engineered wood, repaint. Restores the home's original character or replaces with modern materials.
Target homes: Pre-1980 Bench homes with aluminum siding additions. Permit: building permit.
4. The Detail Reconstruction — accent and trim restoration
Focused on restoring or replacing specific architectural details: trim profiles, eave details, accent siding patterns, brick chimney refresh.
Target homes: Bench homes whose details need refresh as part of a broader exterior project. Permit: depending on scope.
5. The Mixed Material Update — siding + brick refresh
Comprehensive exterior update including siding replacement plus brick chimney repointing or refresh plus trim repaint. Often combined with window replacement and exterior painting for total exterior transformation.
Target homes: Bench homes wanting comprehensive exterior renovation. Permit: building permit.
The Boise Bench spans roughly two square miles with distinct sub-neighborhoods, each with its own remodeling personality.
Vista
One of the most recognized sub-neighborhoods on the Boise Bench, centered around Vista Avenue between the Boise River and Overland Road. Mostly 1940s–1960s post-war homes on uniform lots with mature street trees and good walkability to local commercial corridors. Heavy concentration of small ranch and minimal-traditional homes that respond extremely well to galley-kitchen open-ups, primary-suite additions, and aesthetic modernization.
Central Bench (Curtis & Targee corridor)
The geographic core of the Bench, running along Curtis Road and Targee Street between I-84 and Overland. Mostly 1950s–1970s ranch and split-level homes on 50–75 foot lots with alley access. Solid working-class housing stock that's increasingly being purchased and updated by buyers priced out of the North End. Galley kitchen conversions are the dominant remodeling project type here.
Eastern Bench / Overland
The eastern edge of the Bench around Overland Road, with a mix of 1960s and 1970s homes including more split-levels and larger ranches than the central or western Bench. Lots tend to be slightly larger. Closer to mall-adjacent commercial corridors and major transit routes.
Western Bench / Roosevelt Market area
The western edge of the Bench near the Roosevelt Market and Capitol corridor. Some of the older Bench housing stock here — 1940s minimal traditional homes with steeper roof pitches and smaller footprints than the post-war ranches. Closer to downtown amenities, walkable, increasingly desirable.
Greenbelt-adjacent Bench
Bench properties along the elevated edges of the Boise River bluff with views down to the Greenbelt and the river. Smaller subset of homes commanding a premium for the view orientation. Frequently subject to view-preserving design considerations during exterior work — though without formal Historic District constraints.
Lower Bench (I-84 frontage)
The southern edge of the Bench close to I-84. Original housing stock from the 1950s–1960s on smaller lots, often more traffic noise from the freeway. The most affordable Bench properties — excellent value for buyers willing to invest in modernization. Common to combine kitchen, bathroom, and primary-suite remodels into a single comprehensive scope.
Siding installation pricing on the Bench reflects James Hardie/LP SmartSide material cost, proper underlayment, and the careful trim integration these homes require.
Boise Bench siding installation ranges
Detail reconstruction (specific architectural feature restoration): $6,500–$14,000 / 1–3 weeks
Selective elevation replacement (1–2 specific elevations replaced): $10,000–$22,000 / 2–4 weeks
Aluminum siding removal + replacement (removing aluminum, installing fiber cement): $24,000–$48,000 / 4–7 weeks
Full-house Hardie or LP SmartSide (comprehensive siding replacement on Bench ranch): $28,000–$42,000 / 3–6 weeks
Mixed material exterior update (siding + brick refresh + trim): $32,000–$52,000 / 4–8 weeks
Pricing assumes Iron Crest's standard scope: City of Boise building permit, comprehensive siding removal and disposal, weather-resistant barrier (Tyvek or equivalent), trim and corner board integration, painted-finish siding, and a 30-year material warranty + 5-year workmanship warranty. EPA RRP-certified work practices for any pre-1978 home.
Unlike the North End, the Boise Bench is not within a Historic District. There is no Historic Preservation Commission review for exterior modifications, so siding changes, window replacements, additions, and exterior color changes don't trigger the lengthy Certificate of Appropriateness process that constrains North End projects. This makes Bench projects significantly faster from contract signing to construction start (typically 6–10 weeks vs 14–22 weeks for comparable North End scope).
City of Boise standard permits still apply for any work involving electrical, plumbing, structural changes, or mechanical systems. A scope that includes new circuit additions, moving a gas line, or removing a load-bearing wall requires a building permit from City of Boise Planning and Development Services. Permit processing for Bench projects typically runs 2–4 weeks for over-the-counter work and 3–5 weeks for full plan review with structural drawings — meaningfully faster than North End due to no historic review overlay.
Asbestos and lead paint remain serious considerations on the Bench, despite the absence of Historic District review. Pre-1980 Bench homes (which is most of the housing stock) almost universally contain asbestos in floor tiles, joint compound, and sometimes pipe insulation. Idaho DEQ requires asbestos abatement by a licensed contractor before any disturbance of suspect materials. Pre-1978 Bench homes contain lead paint. The EPA RRP rule requires lead-safe work practices for any renovation in lead-paint homes — including containment, specialized HEPA vacuuming, and proper disposal. Iron Crest is EPA RRP certified and incorporates these practices into the standard scope on every pre-1980 Bench project.
Bench-specific permit consideration: setbacks and lot coverage. Many Bench lots are smaller than North End lots (typical 50' frontage with shorter depths), and additions or detached structures must navigate side and rear setbacks carefully. Zoning verification during initial design is critical to avoid late-stage redesigns. The City of Boise online permit portal has dramatically improved processing speed since 2022, but careful zoning analysis upfront prevents schedule surprises.
Siding material selection for Bench homes balances modern performance with mid-century-appropriate aesthetics.
James Hardie fiber cement
Industry-leading fiber cement siding. Excellent moisture resistance, paint adhesion, fire resistance, 30-year material warranty. Available in lap (5″ to 8″ reveal), shingle (cedar shingle look), and panel formats. Cost: ~$2.50–$4.50 per square foot installed. Best choice for full-house replacements.
LP SmartSide engineered wood
Engineered wood siding. Lighter than fiber cement, easier to install. 50-year material warranty (longer than Hardie). Slightly more wood-like aesthetic. Cost: ~$2.00–$4.00 per square foot installed. Excellent alternative to Hardie.
Trim and corner boards
Modern trim profiles work well in Bench mid-century context. Custom-milled fir trim or stock fiber cement trim painted to match siding color. Corner boards, frieze board, water table, window casing all need careful selection.
Weather-resistant barrier
Modern installations use Tyvek (DuPont) or equivalent. For Bench homes that have had moisture issues, the premium drainage-plane product (CommercialWrap) is worth the upcharge ($300–$800 incremental).
Color and finish
Hardie and LP both offer factory-finish products in limited color palettes. For modern Bench color schemes (warm greige, deep navy, charcoal), on-site painting after installation provides full color flexibility. Premium acrylic paint for fiber cement holds 15+ years on factory-primed Hardie.
Insulation upgrade during siding replacement
Siding replacement is the most convenient time to add insulation. Drill holes in exterior sheathing and blow cellulose into wall cavities (holes filled and re-sided, no visible mark). Adds R-13 or higher to walls that previously had little or no insulation. Cost: $1.00–$2.00 per square foot of wall area.
Siding replacement in older Bench homes routinely surfaces issues that need addressing before new siding goes on.
- •Sheathing damage from long-term moisture infiltration. Removing siding sometimes reveals sheathing damage. Sheathing replacement: $1.50–$3.00 per square foot of damaged area.
- •Insulation deficiency in exterior walls. Pre-1980 Bench homes often have minimal or no wall insulation. Blown cellulose during siding replacement: $1.00–$2.00 per square foot of wall area.
- •Failed window flashing. Original window flashing has typically failed by the time siding is replaced. New self-adhered flashing tape: $80–$200 per window.
- •Rotted framing at sill plates or studs. Long-term water infiltration can damage framing. Repair: $400–$2,500.
- •Lead paint contamination on adjacent surfaces. Removing pre-1978 painted siding generates significant lead-paint debris. Built into Iron Crest's pricing.
- •Asbestos-containing original siding. Some 1940s–1970s Bench homes had asbestos-cement siding installed (sometimes over original wood). Required testing identifies. Asbestos abatement: $4,000–$11,000.
- •Foundation cap or water table detail in poor condition. Water table often shows rot from years of splash-back. Replacement: $400–$1,200 per side.
- •Inadequate drip edge at the bottom of siding. Some original installations have minimal drip edge. New installation includes proper drip edge: $100–$300 per side.
- •Brick chimney repointing or repair. Original brick chimneys often need repointing. Tuckpointing: $400–$1,500.
Consultation and exterior assessment (Week 1)
On-site walkthrough, existing siding condition assessment, profile and color discussion.
Estimate and scheduling (Week 1)
Detailed line-item estimate. Material orders placed.
Permitting and material delivery (Weeks 1–4)
Building permit application to City of Boise. Hardie or LP SmartSide delivery (typical 2–3 week lead). Trim material delivery.
Site setup and protection (Day 1 of work)
Plant and walkway protection. Containment for lead-safe practices on pre-1978 homes. Lift or scaffolding setup.
Demolition (Days 2–5)
Existing siding removal, careful preservation of architectural details to be reused. EPA RRP cleanup and disposal of pre-1978 materials.
Sheathing inspection and repair (Days 4–7)
Sheathing condition assessment, repair or replacement of damaged areas, framing repair if needed, addition of insulation if scope.
Weather barrier installation (Days 7–9)
Tyvek or equivalent housewrap install with proper integration at windows, doors, corners. Self-adhered flashing tape at all openings.
Siding installation (Days 9–18)
New siding install. Proper fastening, expansion gaps, integration with trim. Corner boards, water table, frieze board.
Painting, detail, walkthrough (Days 18–25)
On-site painting of factory-primed siding to selected color. Touch-up of trim. Detail finish work. Final walkthrough. 5-year workmanship + 30-year material warranties begin.
Siding replacement on Bench homes requires the combined skills of a fiber cement installer, a carpenter capable of replicating mid-century trim profiles, and a contractor familiar with the City of Boise permit process.
- City of Boise Planning & Development Services — Building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. Online portal and in-person plan check.
- Idaho DEQ Air Quality (Asbestos) — Testing and abatement guidance for pre-1980 homes via the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
- EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program — Required certification and work practices for renovation in pre-1978 lead-paint homes.
- Idaho Power Energy Efficiency Programs — Rebates and incentives for insulation, window replacement, and HVAC upgrades — relevant for Bench homes that often need substantial energy retrofitting.
- Idaho Division of Building Safety — Contractor Search — Verify any contractor's RCE license, bonding, and insurance through the official Idaho database.
Should I replace my Bench wood siding or repair and repaint?
Depends on condition. Original wood siding 60–80 years old that's largely intact (no rot, secure fastening) can often be repaired and repainted for a tenth of replacement cost. Original wood with widespread rot, severe paint failure, or that's been previously damaged warrants replacement. Iron Crest assesses condition during consultation.
What about my aluminum siding from the 1970s update?
Two options. (1) Repaint the existing aluminum with proper aluminum-compatible primer and finish coats — cost-effective, $8,500–$16,000 for a typical Bench home. (2) Remove aluminum and replace with new fiber cement or engineered wood — higher cost ($24,000–$48,000) but better long-term performance and curb appeal. Iron Crest assesses existing aluminum condition and discusses options.
What's the right siding product for a Bench mid-century ranch?
James Hardie or LP SmartSide lap siding in 7-inch reveal, factory-primed, painted to modern color scheme on-site. Both products outperform original wood for moisture resistance, paint adhesion, dimensional stability. Hardie has slight edge in fire resistance and 30-year warranty. LP is slightly easier to cut and install, which can matter on complex Bench exteriors.
How long does a full-house siding replacement take?
3–6 weeks for a typical Bench mid-century ranch (1,000–1,800 sq ft, single-story). The actual installation is 1.5–3 weeks; the rest is permit processing (2–3 weeks for building permit) and material lead time (2–3 weeks for Hardie or LP).
What about insulation while the siding is off?
Siding replacement is the most convenient time to add insulation to your exterior walls. We can drill small holes in the exterior sheathing and blow cellulose insulation into the wall cavities. Cost: $1.00–$2.00 per square foot of wall area. Excellent ROI through reduced heating and cooling costs.
Will my Bench siding replacement need Historic Preservation Commission approval?
No. The Boise Bench is not within a Historic District. Standard City of Boise building permit only — typically 2–3 weeks for processing.
What about the factory-finish vs on-site painting decision?
Hardie ColorPlus and LP pre-finished products are factory-painted in limited color palettes. The factory finish is excellent and includes a longer paint warranty. For modern Bench color schemes (warm greige, deep navy, charcoal), the factory color palettes don't always include all desired choices. On-site painting provides full color flexibility.
Will siding replacement affect my home's resale value?
Yes, substantially. New siding (especially fiber cement with 30-year warranty) is a major positive signal to buyers — eliminates the largest single maintenance worry on an older home. Bench homes with new Hardie or LP siding typically appraise 80–110% of cost recovery.
Ready to start your Boise Bench siding installation project?
Free in-home consultation, honest contingency-based budgeting, and the experience these older Boise homes require. Iron Crest Remodel — Idaho RCE #6681702, EPA RRP lead-safe certified, $2M general liability, 5-year workmanship warranty.
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