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5 Ways James Hardie Siding Is Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly James Hardie siding installed on a home.
Today, homeowners are more conscious than ever of how their renovation decisions affect the environment. If you’re replacing your siding, you may be wondering about eco-friendly materials—especially ones that deliver valuable protection and beauty. One of the most popular sidings on the market, James Hardie, combines attractive looks and long-lasting performance in an environmentally friendly package. This top siding material is a great choice for home upgrades when you’re ready to “go green.”

What does it mean for a siding to be “eco-friendly”?

When it comes to environmentally responsible home upgrades, you’ll want to look at a few important questions:
  1. How well does this siding perform over time? Is it long-lasting?
  2. Is this material recyclable? Can it be reused somehow?
  3. Does the manufacturer use responsible, sustainable practices?
  4. What is the material made of? Does it use a lot of resources that are hard to replace?
The answers to these questions help you identify what makes one product a better environmental choice than others. 

How Hardie siding answers the need for eco-friendly solutions

James Hardie is committed to innovating every aspect of their fiber cement siding, which includes lowering its carbon footprint in the factory as well as after installation. It offers: 

Impressive Durability that Reduces Waste

When building materials must be replaced, many are not easily reused. Less durable products like vinyl, composites, and wood end up in landfills more frequently. However, fiber cement is made to last for decades, lowering your need to replace it. Unlike wood (which rots) and vinyl (which fades and easily dents), fiber cement boards don’t easily crack, loosen, or get eaten by pests. It’s a sturdy low-maintenance siding that provides excellent value, and it ends up in landfills a lot less often than other materials. James Hardie fiber cement siding is a leader in this arena. It stands up against harsh weather, including strong UV rays, pelting rain, hail, snow, ice, and wind. This deliberate workmanship creates eco-conscious longevity and gives homeowners peace of mind that their siding will last.

Recyclability and Waste Reduction

Of course, even a long-lasting siding material can’t endure forever. Time and age eventually take a toll (though with Hardie siding, that’s a 30-50+ year process if you maintain it well).  To aid in keeping its siding out of landfills, James Hardie has a waste takeback program. Leftover pieces of fiber cement and trim go back to the factory after your siding installation is complete. Old fiber cement boards that are being replaced can also be returned to James Hardie, where they are recycled into new boards.

Lower use of fossil fuels 

Fuels like oil and gas contribute to pollution, and using less of them is a greener choice. Unlike other materials, such as vinyl, fiber cement doesn’t use fossil fuels in its makeup. Instead, Hardie siding is made from a mixture of Portland, cement, sand, cellulose, fibers, and water. It doesn’t contain additives that are harmful to the environment. Plus, Hardie siding comes in a variety of popular colors that are stocked in regional locations for easier access by construction and renovation crews. This eases the burden of using fossil fuels for shipping—while also making the installation of Hardie siding a streamlined process for homeowners—a win-win!

Reduced use of finite resources

Hardie siding is also made in such a way that less water and energy are required than the manufacturing of other materials. Unlike wood siding, there’s not a need to cut down trees, so the world’s forests can be preserved. In addition, James Hardie has committed to ambitious environmental improvements, with a goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Reduced emissions

The making of construction materials such as vinyl can release unhealthy fumes into the air called VOCs (volatile organic compounds). So can the act of painting, which is something homeowners have to do every few years if their siding is made of wood. But fiber cement doesn’t release VOCs during its manufacturing, and if you choose to have color infused into your Hardie siding within the factory before shipping, you won’t have to paint it as often as wood.

Enjoy Lasting Style with Eco-Friendly Hardie Siding

Eco-friendly performance is just one of Hardie siding’s many benefits. You’ll also appreciate its vibrant colors, attractive designs, versatility, pest-resistance, and weather-tight results. Discover how James Hardie siding installed by Smart Exteriors will transform your Kansas City area home.
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We Wrote the Book on Kansas City Siding

Smart Exteriors is Kansas City’s leading expert on siding. From materials such as vinyl, steel, PVC and fiber cement siding, to popular siding brands like James Hardie, LP Smart Siding and Celect siding, we know which types are best for Kansas City and for your home and budget. After you read our guide, you will become an educated buyer and will be ensured to get the best possible outcome for your home and budget.

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