We are looking to replace our AC plywood soffits (24″ wide) on our 1959 MCM redwood sided ranch. I am not a fan of the maintenance required for wood, but like the aesthetic. We do need ventilation. Has anyone used other materials such as smooth cement/Hardie board, or have another alternative?
Members of our facebook group for midcentury home owners were happy to help.
Below are some examples of members thoughts on the topic. These are only a few of the thousands of tips that are shared in our exclusive Facebook Group dedicated to midcentury modern home owners. If you own a midcentury house and are not already a member, join us now!
- “I’d recommend Hardie board. Will be smooth and maintain the original appearance unlike metal.”
- “There are some decent wood-look metal options out there.“
- “I painted the wood paneling in my dining room. Love it! I added wood accents by putting thick dark wood over the brick planter and made a bar.”
- “Second vote for smooth hardie board soffit panels.“
- “TruWood makes a smooth soffit that is nice looking if you don’t want to deal with cutting Hardi board.”
- “I replaced my plywood with white aluminum soffit. It looks good and no more painting.”
- “Just don’t use vinyl siding. The last owner before us put it everywhere but the brick and the coral bricks he painted gray. The gray doesn’t bother me as much as all the beige vinyl siding and enclosure for the beams and such. Maybe at some point once I fix other messes I will put hardie board up“
You can read more tips about this topic and offer your own suggestions here.
