Thinking about replacing your siding? If your siding is worn down, out of style, or faded, new siding will go a long way in updating and protecting your home’s exterior. And one of the most popular siding replacements available is James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Millions of homeowners love it, and as an experienced siding contractor, we do too.
To help you decide if you’ll love Hardie siding as much as we do, we’ve broken down the benefits and drawbacks that surround a Hardie siding installation.
Advantages of a Hardie Siding Replacement
There’s a reason so many homeowners choose to install Hardie siding on their homes. James Hardie truly seeks to lead the siding industry with these advantages.
Extreme Durability
At the forefront of Hardie siding’s benefits is its durability. Fiber cement in general is known for its strength, longevity, and resistance to the elements. Hardie siding sits at the forefront of the fiber cement industry.
The thick boards are designed to be:
- Wind and impact resistant
- Moisture resistant (meaning no rot)
- Non-warping
James Hardie backs the durability of its products with a 30-year limited warranty. Hire a professional siding contractor to ensure the siding is properly installed and the warranty remains intact.
Class A Fire Resistance
Fiber cement has the added benefit of being a Class A fire-resistant rating, the highest rating a siding material can receive. Its silica sand and Portland cement makeup render the material non-combustible, meaning it will not ignite even if exposed to extreme heat, and it will not become additional fuel for an existing fire.
Engineered for Climate
Climates across the world are different. So, shouldn’t the sidings that protect your home also vary based on need? James Hardie certainly thought so. It curated fiber cement that is Engineered for Climate. Your recommended siding will be based on a variety of specified weather conditions the Kansas City climate faces. With tailor-made siding, you can be sure you’re getting the best protection for your home.
Beautiful
Hardie siding provides the beautiful wood plank aesthetic homeowners desire in a more durable material. The boards are specifically manufactured to imitate the look of natural wood to provide that same coveted texture and raw appearance homeowners want—but without the worn-down appearance that naturally occurs over time with raw wood.
Lasting Color
When you install new siding, the vibrancy of its paint color makes your home pop. But over time, that color fades. James Hardie didn’t want this to be an issue with its fiber cement, which is why it created its ColorPlus technology. This factory-coated, baked-on color resists UV rays and is fade-resistant to maintain a lasting pigmentation.
Value-Adding
Well-installed new siding adds incredible value to a home. But adding fiber cement can make a home stand out. Not only is the material beautiful, but potential future homeowners see a material that weathers the storm and will last for years, making it a value-adding material that sees a high return on investment.
Potential Disadvantages of Hardie Siding Installations
Although they are few, Hardie siding, like every other siding, has its downsides that you will want to consider before making your final replacement siding decision.
Upfront Cost and Installation Time
The expertise required for Hardie siding installations and the heavy weight of the material make it more difficult and therefore more expensive to install. While the initial price tag might be heftier than some of its counterparts, the longevity of the product easily makes up for the investment cost overall.
The same weight and installation procedures make the siding installation a lengthier process than some of its siding counterparts. This process can take even longer depending on the size and number of stories in your home.
Some Maintenance Is Required
Fiber cement siding needs to be properly sealed with caulking. And as that wears down, the caulking will need to be replaced, resulting in minimal maintenance not required in some other siding options. However, Hardie siding is incredibly low-maintenance overall.
Contractor Stock
While this may not be an issue for you at all, there is the potential to have a delayed installation due to a lack of your preferred colored boards in stock. Most contractors will maintain a high level of the most popular ColorPlus options. However, with James Hardie’s large color selection, your project may need time for an order placement, setting you back.
Is Hardie Siding Worth the Investment?
Yes!
Although Hardie siding has a higher upfront cost than some other siding materials, it is worth every bit of the investment you will put into it. As we mentioned, it is often the installation cost that can elevate the price of Hardie siding. This is because it takes a specifically trained Hardie siding contractor to give you a worry-free, lasting installation. But this is also what sets it apart.
James Hardie only gives its stamp of approval to contractors who undergo continual training, maintain high customer reviews, and carry the proper licensing and insurance. This means you’re getting the best installation of one of the most durable siding materials around—a definite worthwhile investment.
A Siding Replacement Contractor You Can Rely On
At Smart Exteriors, we want you to love your siding for years to come, so we know that the best solution is properly installed, high-quality products. While most of our clients never have to use it, we back our installations with a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty*. As a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, we use only the best products from the James Hardie siding itself to the caulking used to seal it.
See how easy it can be to get the siding your home deserves. For more information on the benefits of James Hardie siding for your home, see our Hardie siding services.
*ask us for details on our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty
