Modern Siding for a Mercer Island Home

Project Overview

Located in the quiet, tree-lined Avalon Park neighborhood of Mercer Island, this contemporary residence blends warm natural wood with crisp architectural lines to create a refined yet welcoming exterior. The homeowners sought a durable, modern siding package capable of standing up to the island’s moisture-rich environment while supporting the clean, modern aesthetic of the design.

Synapse Construction provided full exterior cladding services including cedar installation, board-and-batten integration, metal siding interfaces, and detailing around windows, doors, and transitions.

Wide view of the home showing mixed materials—blue board-and-batten, clear cedar T&G, and metal balcony elements. — Mixed-material façade blends cedar, fiber-cement, and metal elements to complement the surrounding Mercer Island landscape.

Siding Systems & Materials

1. Clear 1×4 Tongue & Groove Western Red Cedar

Grade: Clear vertical grain
Finish: Transparent stain, highlighting natural wood tone
Orientation: Horizontal installation for warm, linear visual flow
Role in Design:
- Introduces natural contrast against the blue-toned metal paneling
- Softens the modern geometry and adds warmth
- Key aesthetic feature along entryways and main façade planes
Benefits:
- Superior dimensional stability
- High resistance to decay—ideal for Pacific Northwest conditions
- Rich, timeless appearance

2. Board-and-Batten Fiber-Cement System

Panels: James Hardie smooth fiber-cement sheets
Battens: 1×2 primed finger-jointed clear cedar strips

Design Intent:
- Create tall, continuous vertical lines to enhance the home’s modern silhouette
- Blend seamlessly with adjacent metal cladding
Why This Hybrid System Works Well:
- Fiber cement panels provide stability and moisture resistance
- Cedar battens deliver the crisp architectural shadow lines typical of modern Northwest homes
- Primed battens allow for a unified paint finish matching the metal panel color

Close-up view of clear 1x4 T&G cedar siding showcasing its natural grain and smooth horizontal alignment against adjacent metal trim. — Clear 1×4 T&G western red cedar brings natural warmth and refined detail to the exterior façade.

Detail of James Hardie smooth fiber-cement panels with 1x2 primed cedar battens creating modern vertical lines. — James Hardie fiber-cement panels and cedar battens form crisp vertical lines characteristic of Northwest modern architecture.

Architectural corner transition where clear cedar siding meets blue metal panel cladding with clean flashing details. — Precision corner detailing ensures a clean transition between cedar, fiber-cement, and metal panel systems.

Key Technical & Installation Highlights

Moisture Management

Mercer Island receives heavy rain and wind exposure. To ensure long-term durability:

Full rainscreen assembly behind all cedar and fiber-cement surfaces
Ventilation gaps at top and bottom terminations
Metal flashings integrated at all material transitions

Integration With Metal Siding Systems

The home includes vertical metal paneling that interfaces with cedar and fiber-cement surfaces.
Synapse provided:

Custom metal trim at corners and window frames
Precision alignment between metal ribs and board-and-batten spacing
Expansion joint detailing for differential movement between metal, cement, and wood

Entryway & Window Detailing

Cedar T&G carried through soffits for visual continuity
Fiber-cement panel cuts refined around window groupings
High-resolution caulking and concealed fasteners for a clean, modern finish

Final Outcome

This award-winning Mercer Island Avalon Park residence showcases the Northwest modern aesthetic at its best—clean lines, warm textures, and resilient materials coming together in a cohesive architectural statement. The combination of clear cedar, fiber-cement paneling, and cedar battens delivers both durability and refined craftsmanship.