Recent project · Waukesha, Wisconsin

A fresh finish for a cedar-sided Waukesha home.

From weathered wood to a rich brown finish, this exterior staining project brought a more consistent look to the siding while keeping the home's stonework and character front and center.

See the Before & After ↓
Fresh brown cedar siding and painted garage door on a Waukesha home with stone accents
LocationWaukesha, Wisconsin
Project focusCedar siding staining & exterior painting
FinishTwo coats of Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes

The project

Keep the character.
Refresh the finish.

The cedar siding gives this home its warmth. Areas of worn and peeling finish needed careful attention before the new coating could go on. Empire's scope centered on preparing the existing wood and matching the home's established colors.

The finished brown siding complements the stone accents and lighter garage door, giving the exterior a cohesive look without changing what makes the home distinctive.

What the project included

  • Preparation and staining of cedar/wood siding and corner boards.
  • Two finish coats of Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes acrylic color on the specified wood surfaces.
  • Preparation and painting of gutters, downspouts, and the garage door.
  • Protection of surrounding surfaces, landscaping, windows, and doors.

Before & after

The same home. A refreshed exterior.

Compare the garage-side view before work began with the completed finish.

Waukesha garage and cedar siding before preparation and staining
Before — the existing siding and garage-side exterior.
Fresh brown cedar siding and painted garage door on a Waukesha home with stone accents
After — fresh brown siding, a coordinated garage door, and the original stone accents.

Photos were taken at different angles and in different lighting. Select any photo for a closer look.

Masked windows and prepared wood siding during the Waukesha staining project
During the project — windows masked and wood surfaces prepared for the finish.

Behind the finished result

Preparation comes first.

The work order called for low-pressure washing, removal of loose and flaking finish, sanding exposed wood, and spot priming bare areas with a bonding primer. Failing caulk was addressed before the finish coats.

The in-progress photos show why that preparation matters: weathered patches and exposed wood need attention before the new color brings the surfaces together.

Weathered wood siding with peeling finish before preparation
Before preparation — a close look at the weathered existing finish.

The finished details

A closer look around the home.

From the front entry to the backyard and tall gable, these finished views show how the brown cedar siding brings the exterior together. Select any photo to explore the full gallery.

Full front view of the Waukesha home with freshly stained brown cedar siding and original stone accents.
A full view of the finished front exterior.
Front entry and windows framed by finished brown cedar siding on the Waukesha home.
The entry and front windows after staining.
Finished brown cedar siding above the garage beside the original stonework on the Waukesha home.
The garage-side finish alongside the original stonework.
Wide backyard view of the Waukesha home showing freshly stained upper cedar siding above the existing light siding.
A wider backyard view of the completed cedar staining.
Finished brown cedar siding on the upper gable of a Waukesha home
Finished upper gable and cedar siding.
Freshly stained cedar siding along the side of the Waukesha home
The side elevation after staining.
Close view of the finished brown wood siding in Waukesha
A closer look at the finished wood siding.
Explore the Painting Gallery →More Empire Project Stories →

Your Waukesha home

Ready to refresh your siding?

Let's look at the condition of your exterior, talk through the preparation, and put together a clear written scope for your home.

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Waukesha Painting Services · Exterior Staining