If you’re ready to replace your siding, James Hardie siding not only improves curb appeal but also provides a durable exterior perfectly suited to the Kansas City climate. While there are several brands available for those interested in fiber cement siding, there is no other brand as synonymous with this material as the James Hardie brand.
Despite the increasing popularity of James Hardie siding installations since the 1980s, fiber cement siding and its distinct characteristics are still largely misunderstood compared to other material options. Understanding the products that are available to you is key to getting started with a successful siding project.
Here we answer the most asked questions about James Hardie siding.
Is James Hardie Siding Suitable for Kansas City?
Yes, James Hardie is an HZ5 ideal siding choice for the Kansas City area. James Hardie uses its own HardieZone System to ensure you install the right siding for your climate.
How Durable is Hardie Siding?
James Hardie siding is designed to last for up to 50 years. It also comes with a 30-year, non-prorated warranty, for added confidence and peace of mind. This siding is virtually damage-proof, making it the most durable siding option. It is non-combustible, resistant to wet and heat, helps protect against pests including termites, and won’t buckle, warp or fade.
Where Can I Find James Hardie Siding?
Always look for a James Hardie Preferred Contractor like Smart Exteriors when installing this brand. This ensures it is installed by fully certified, trained, and insured professionals who adhere to the company’s high standards to protect your home.
Is Hardie Siding Expensive?
It depends. For example, it does cost more than vinyl siding but is more affordable than brick or stucco. As far as similar composite siding products go it can be on par, or slightly less.
Ultimately, when comparing Hardie Board costs, it’s more important to consider the benefits you expect to receive with James Hardie siding. Most importantly, considering how long the material will last once installed, maintenance requirements over the years, and other long-term factors will give a better idea of how affordable the product is compared to other options.
You can contact our team for a free estimate to get a better idea of the costs related to installing James Hardie siding on your home.
How Hard is it to Maintain James Hardie Siding?
James Hardie siding, along with its many other benefits, is actually very low maintenance. In the spring and fall, you can hose it down with a garden hose, and remove stubborn dirt with a medium nylon brush. You never need to worry about peeling paint, sanding or repainting like wood siding. One of the biggest attractions to James Hardie products is the baked-on option of colors for long-lasting, vibrant color that doesn’t fade.
What Types of Colors and Styles are Available?
You have a wide variety of colors and styles available in the James Hardie siding line. Its latest collection, Aspyre is very contemporary, offering a high-end look. You can choose the style that suits your home’s architecture, and completely change the look of your home with a new color scheme. If you want to experiment with different looks, James Hardie’s online visualizer tool allows you to apply distinctive styles and colors on your own home. You can then choose a HardieTrim to complement your siding and complete the look.
Does Hardie Siding Protect Against Fire?
James Hardie is a fiber cement siding making it non-combustible. As a result, it won’t contribute to fire and actually can help reduce damage. In fact, many insurance companies offer discounts for homes with noncombustible siding.
What is HardiePlank siding?
HardiePlank siding, like the other styles of Hardie siding, is made up of a blend of cellulose fibers and cement-like materials. The is the particular style that is installed in long, horizontal strips similar to wood lap siding.
Does Hardie Board Siding Resemble Wood?
Yes, James Hardie siding closely resembles real wood siding. However, the natural wood components that make up the consistency of the HardiePlank siding aren’t responsible for its distinctive, wood-grain appearance. Instead, the wood aesthetic of this fiber cement siding is due to James Hardie’s embossed texturing process.
The embossing process is important for two specific reasons. The first reason is its natural ability to simulate wood grain, a huge perk for homeowners that seek the natural look of real wood without high maintenance requirements. The other reason is to keep the siding from having a visually “flat” appearance. The texturing adds an extra dimension to make the look seem more real, especially when compared to cheaper vinyl options. However, this siding is also available in a smooth finish as well.
Is James Hardie Siding a Good Long-Term Investment?
For homeowners, any investment made to improve the home should come with excellent future benefits, including a high return when it’s time to sell. According to recent surveys, fiber cement siding is considered an excellent home improvement choice.
James Hardie siding, in particular, is considered a high-end product. Proper installations are known for offering a very high return in comparison to other projects or siding installations using lower-quality materials.
In some estimates, James Hardie siding products offer homeowners a return of up to 78% or more, a solid return that offers many benefits over the long-run.
What are the Other Benefits of Hardie Siding?
When deciding between siding options, the benefits always have to be considered before making your choice. Fortunately, if there’s one thing James Hardie siding offers, it’s a wealth of benefits. Some of the top benefits include:
- Pest resistance: Despite its cellulose fibers, this is a great option for those concerned about pests such as termites or vermin. The reason for this is due to the number of cellulose fibers being too low to attract these pests. It also helps that it’s much more difficult to get to those fibers.
- Green Material: Many homeowners are concerned about going green, and James Hardie siding fits the bill for energy-efficiency and its recyclable and renewable qualities. The siding is made of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers that are available in abundance. Plus, no toxic materials are used to produce this siding, unlike other siding materials. Another reason why this siding is considered green is that it lasts a long time. For example, James Hardie offers a 50-year warranty, and the material has been known to last longer than that.
- Weather resistance: In the Midwest, homeowners need to be concerned about inclement weather all year. James Hardie siding products are designed to stand strong in all weather conditions, with materials engineered according to the climate where they’re to be installed. Products are designed based on the company’s HardieZone System, which identifies the unique weather patterns in different areas of the country. The result is a product that is customized to work in the area of the country where you live. In Kansas City, the HardieZone is identified as HZ5, and homeowners can take advantage of HZ5 products for maximum efficiency and top-quality performance.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Ultimately, choosing your next siding material is a decision that should be made after close consideration of your budget, aesthetic preferences, long-term goals, and climate conditions—among other factors. If the budget is of utmost concern, there are cheaper siding options like vinyl that are known for lower upfront costs. However, higher-quality installations, including James Hardie fiber cement products will offer much greater long-term value, lower maintenance requirements, and other serious benefits.
The best thing to do before deciding on your next siding material is to consult with professional siding contractors for assistance. A reliable contractor will be able to match the appropriate siding to your needs and budget. They will also be in a position to advise if additional concerns exist, such as needing to reinforce the home before installation of heavy siding.
If you would like information or a quote on James Hardie siding installation for your home, speak to our Jame Hardie Elite Preferred installers at Smart Exteriors today.
