Pros and Cons of Hardie Board Siding

If you have been considering residing your home, whether it is just for aesthetic purposes or your home truly needs an upgrade from its current dilapidated siding, you have likely heard the name Hardie Board® siding tossed around. This form of siding resides on millions of American homes and Lifetime Exteriors is an Elite Preferred Contractor for the James Hardie products.

Hardie Board is the top-of-the-line fiber cement siding on the market. The thick boards and sturdy makeup of fiber cement make it a great option for replacement siding, and Hardie Board is the best option available. But before you choose a replacement siding, it’s important to understand the product, both the good and the bad.

Here are the ups and downs to know about Hardie Board siding.

Pros of James Hardie Siding

James Hardie® fiber cement siding is one of the best siding materials on the current market. In fact, it is the number one form of siding in America, covering millions of homes. And there are plenty of reasons why.

Extreme Durability

Hardie Board siding is one of the most durable forms of siding on the market. Its composition of silica sand, cellulose fibers, and cement make it an extremely durable and long-lasting element.

Unlike wood and many other forms of siding materials, Hardie Board is:

• Fire resistant
• Pest resistant
• Warp and rot-resistant
• Low Maintenance 

It is not as susceptible to damage from woodpeckers, and insects such as termites are not attracted to the material’s makeup and cannot damage it the same as wood.

Resistance to the Elements

All forms of fiber cement have a level of resistance to the elements. The material is water and moisture resistant, and its durable makeup helps to prevent cracking. Strong winds cannot lift or damage the boards as easily as other materials.

But unlike other forms of fiber cement, Hardie Board siding is Engineered for Climate®. This is just one aspect that puts Hardie Board above other forms of fiber cement, not to mention most other forms of siding. Being Engineered for Climate helps to make James Hardie fiber cement siding:

• Storm resistant
• Less prone to hail damage
• Water and moisture resistant
• Ready for any weather in any climate

Aesthetic

Raw wood is one of the most beautiful forms of siding. That is why so many products seek to provide the look of raw wood planks. None do this better than Hardie Board. This fiber cement siding is designed with grooves and grain in each board that make it look like wood but keep you from the maintenance and deterioration of true wood.

James Hardie has also developed its baked-on ColorPlus Technology®. This coats the boards in a baked-on layer of paint that makes it UV resistant and less likely to fade than other paints, so your color remains vibrant while other siding colors fade.

The ColorPlus boards also come with a 15-year warranty that covers labor and materials, so you can feel secure in the lasting vibrancy of your siding.

Warranty

A company should back up its products, and James Hardie certainly does. The company offers a 30-year non-prorated, transferable, limited warranty on its Hardie Board siding.

Ensure your siding is installed by a professional, especially a James Hardie certified contractor, to ensure all warranties remain intact. A certified James Hardie professional is specialized in the installation of all James Hardie products and will give you a lasting installation.

Environmental Friendliness

Hardie Board siding is made from sustainable raw materials, silica sand being one of the most abundant resources on earth. The water used during the manufacturing process is reused up to four times to help eliminate water waste.

The baked-on ColorPlus Technology means less on-site paint jobs, which helps to eliminate exposure to volatile organic compounds. This lowers air pollution.

The company has made strides to help keep our planet and communities clean while providing a durable product that requires fewer replacements to help keep materials out of landfills.

Cons of James Hardie Siding

All home materials come with their share of downsides. Hardie Board siding is no exception. While its pros tend to outweigh its cons, there are a few characteristics of Hardie siding you should be aware of before having it installed on your home.

Time-Intensive Installations

What makes Hardie Board durable also makes it heavy and thick. The material, therefore, takes longer to install than many other forms of siding, especially vinyl. Boards are typically cut on-site, which can make the process take even longer.

If you select pre-primed boards rather than the boards utilizing the ColorPlus Technology, you will also have the time-consuming process of painting. However, ColorPlus technology can save you time with boards that are ready to be installed, and you’re done.

More Costly Installations

Due to the lengthier installation process, Hardie Board siding has a greater upfront cost than some of its competitor sidings like vinyl.

However, upfront cost should not be the only consideration during purchase. The overall lifespan cost of the siding should be taken into account. The fiber cement boards’ durability makes them last longer than other forms of siding, meaning fewer replacements and repairs. This can save you overall in the lifespan of the siding.

Give Your Portland Home the Best Replacement Siding

No matter its pros and cons, if you want to give your home the best, you should choose Hardie siding for your replacement siding needs. In the way of durability, resistance to the elements, and aesthetic, it is unmatched.

But hiring a Portland James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor is essential to getting the longevity and worry-free aspects that Hardie siding can provide, and our Lifetime Exteriors team has been Elite Preferred for years. We can give your home the highest quality of material with a seamless installation that keeps all warranties intact and keeps you happy with your home. Contact us to get a siding estimate now.