Wow, that must be a hot spot !

Can you take some siding from the back of the house and use at the front? Then it won't matter too much about matching at the back.

Can‘t use same siding. the sun will continue to melt it.

Then go with something that won't melt and do it in the same color as the stone at the front.

Also do the other side, to match.

Would it be possible to reface it in the same stone as the front?

I would try to find a wood siding that is the same exact size as the vinyl, and maybe just repair what is damaged and leave the vinyl on the top. You should be able to prime it and paint it with color matched paint.

You can either have solar screens added to those windows and use same siding, or suggest the whole section be replaced with a wood painted same color or repeat the stone. I like the vertical idea as long as it looks purposeful.

Stone or fiberboard. I have the waterproof board.

Great video. Learn something everyday.

Amazing video! And this is why “This Old House” was and IS the best home improvement show on tv. Practical, quality advice!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I previously looked into getting a coating or putting a screen on the window(s) but decided I didn’t like the look of that. Extending the stone work would probably look the best but that option is expensive and I would also have to have the gas pipe moved. The whole 8’ x 4’ section has to be replaced so it doesn’t look like a patch job. Hardie makes a fiber cement that is very similar but not identical. It would look fine from a distance but noticeable close up— Thats why I thought to go with something different but color matched. I’m not sure if I should just do a flat board with trim or add vertical trim to make it look like board and batten. And then maybe add some sort of flower box or hook or hose holder in that area to make it look purposeful as suggested by Jackowskib.

Would a PVC planter and plant trellis in that space help to block the light and heat? I think it might also be a nice disguise for the drainage. Would this work? What if solar screen were attached to the back of the trellis? I don't know what types of plants could survive that heat? Any ideas gardeners?

I think cement siding in the same color or if possible match the stone it is such a tiny area and really not very visible . Maybe a bit of an over hang of some sort over the window might be the answer .

Patricia- Thanks for your suggestions. Please see my above follow up comment. I am trying to decide between doing the whole section in a color matched flat panel or a board and batten. I think that would look better than a color matched horizontal cement board siding that will not look identical due to texture difference. I also do not like the look of an awning or screen on the front windows.

J- I thought of a pvc planter too but that would not block all the sun.

I wouldn’t add another type of siding there, it would look odd.

Do some thpe of Hardie Board or cedar clapboard the same dimension as the vinyl and paint to match the siding.

If there is a screen that would work, I would go that route and put the identical siding back. It will actually look the best on your house. An awning over that window, might help a lot too. Nothing else will look like it belongs, if it is noticable. Thats why I thought originally, to find a siding that was similar sized, and paint identical color. It probably wouldnt be noticable on that bottom part, unless one was really looking, but, sounds like there is a screen that would take care of that problem, so in that case, I would use the original siding.

We had to put solar screens on our neighbors on both sides because sun from their windows buckled our siding. And our own window caused same on one section. I hate the solar screens. They mount on the outside and are black. Awful but here we are. You can’t screen just one window unless you’re okay having it stand out. I would do vertical 2/3 up with a nice ledge.

Jackowskib-

Not a fan of those screens at all.

What kind of legde? Can you post a picture of what you are describing?

I will likely have to replace the whole section. The j channel is alo warped. Do you think a flat fiber cement board with framed out perimeter trim boards no batten pattern would work?

Thanks.

Not sure you’ll like having just flat fiber board that’s framed but maybe you will. Will be plain but that’s okay! The ledge idea was just to break it up. Like photo.

I see.

I want something that will blend in with the existing siding and not look like a patch job.

I’m worried that trying to match the existing siding with smooth hardie board 6” exposure (which is the closet to what I have) may look like a patch job, even if I do the entire 8’ x 4’ section and color match it. That is because the texture of the hardie board is similar but not the same. Maybe I’m just too particular about these things!

I don't think you'll notice a slight texture difference, More important will be to match the appearance (width of boards, overlap, trim, etc.) and paint them to match the existing vinyl siding in a paint that gives you the best match as to sheen.