The Portland area experienced a large number of destructive wildfires in 2020. When building or rebuilding your home, it’s important to protect your family and your biggest investment from the devastating damages fires can cause.
When it’s time to replace your Portland home’s siding, take time to understand your options before deciding on your siding material. Discover the facts about the most popular siding products—fiber cement, wood, and vinyl—and you’ll be well on your way to making your home exterior investment with confidence.
What Is the Best Fire-Resistant Siding for Portland Homes?
The beauty of wood siding comes with a price
Wood siding looks gorgeous and gives your home genuine warmth and a welcoming appearance. The problem is that wood siding can actually fuel a fire, leaving your family in a dangerous situation.
Flame retardants can be added to wood to improve fire resistance, but fires can still penetrate your home through your siding’s joints. When siding is treated with flame retardants, your exterior trim and roof soffits may still fuel a fire.
Cost effective vinyl siding doesn’t last like other siding materials
Vinyl isn’t fire-resistant like fiber cement siding is, so your family is at risk of danger should you experience a home fire. Vinyl is made with manufactured plastic, so it melts when it comes into contact with heat or flames.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) doesn’t recommend installing vinyl siding if your home is at high risk for a fire.
Fire-Resistant James Hardie Siding
James Hardie fiber cement siding is made of cement, sand, and cellulose. This long-lasting combination stands up to extreme weather including snow, ice, hail, and rain. It is non-combustible, so your family and possessions are well protected in case of a fire.
Pay attention to soffits and overhangs to prevent fire damage
To increase your home’s fire resistance, begin with fiber cement siding, but don’t stop there. James Hardie also makes fire-resistant soffits and overhangs so flames can’t spread. In addition to your siding, look at the makeup of your walls, roof, and home interior to verify they will protect you in case of a fire.
It won’t ignite when it’s exposed to direct flames or contribute to fueling a fire. If it gets exposed to a fire, it resists burning, giving fire trucks time to get to your home. And the nails used to install Hardie siding are made out of primarily fire-resistant cement.
Portland homeowners love the advantages of Hardie siding. While you can’t prevent certain hazards from happening to your home, you can choose noncombustible siding for your exterior. Fiber cement’s makeup helps thwart or decrease the spread of fire. The Class A fire rating it carries means it can withstand several hours of heat before melting.
Besides Fire Resistance, James Hardie Offers Many Other Benefits:
James Hardie. Protecting over 8,000,000 homes across America, this gorgeous product brings out the best in your home.
Weather resistance
Your home will stand up to the weather elements due to the durable makeup of Hardie siding.
Long-lasting durability
Hardie siding is known for its ability to last up to 50 years, protecting your home from the elements throughout its lifetime.
Outstanding warranty
The James Hardie company offers a fabulous 30-year transferable, non-prorated warranty. Simply have your siding installed by a James Hardie Preferred contractor, and you’re well on your way to the peace of mind their warranty offers.
Third-party tested
The Good Housekeeping Institute awarded Hardie siding with the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, giving you confidence in your siding investment.
Low maintenance
Simply wash your siding twice a year to maintain its beauty.
Customizable
Choose from a variety of styles:
- HardiePlank—Get the popular, timeless look of horizontal lap siding for your home exterior.
- HardiePanel—Create contemporary appeal with these vertical siding panels. Add HardieTrim to get a rustic board and batten Farmhouse design.
- HardieShingle—Enjoy the look of wood shingles without the high maintenance wood requires.
- HardieSoffit—Protect the surface under your porch and roof eaves with durable HardieSoffit panels.
- HardieTrim—Get the perfect finishing touch by adding trim to accent your home’s doors and windows.
Get Premium James Hardie Siding and Protect Your Home From Deadly Wildfires
The combination of expert installation and durable siding materials gives you the high performance you deserve for your home exterior upgrade. At Lifetime Exteriors, we protect your home with the highest quality material choice: James Hardie. We offer convenient financing options to make your home remodel both simple and stress-free.
We’re a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, so your siding will be installed right the first time according to the manufacturer’s standards, and your 30-year warranty will be honored.
