Your home’s exterior is one of the first things people see.
You want your siding to make an impact — but you also want it to be durable against hail.
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, durability against the weather is just as important as aesthetics.
The good news is, you can have both!
Learn more about the durability of James Hardie siding, how it stands up to weather, and how it compares to other types of siding.
Table of Contents
- Does James Hardie Siding Resist Hail Damage?
- The HardieZone System: Created to Withstand the Elements of Every Climate
- Durability Against Damage From Hail, Wind, and Other Elements: James Hardie Siding vs. Other Siding Options
- What Happens if Your James Hardie Siding Gets Hail Damage?
- Elite Home Exteriors: Your James Hardie Elite Contractor for Clark County and Portland Metro
Does James Hardie Siding Resist Hail Damage?
With so many siding options to consider, you may wonder, “Does James Hardie Siding Resist Hail Damage?”
The answer is yes!
James Hardie’s fiber cement substrate and baked-on ColorPlus finishes do an excellent job of resisting hail damage. If you’re concerned about protecting your home’s exterior from hail storms, then James Hardie siding is a great option.
And when installed by a James Hardie Preferred Contractor, your siding is guaranteed with a warranty.
At Elite Home Exteriors, we’re proud to be James Hardie Preferred installers so you can have peace of mind in any climate and through any storm.
The HardieZone System: Created to Withstand the Elements of Every Climate
James Hardie siding is well-known for the durable material that makes it capable of standing up against hail — and to most any weather condition. This makes it the ideal siding for many homeowners in any climate.
Their HardieZone System is a cutting-edge system based on the eight individual climatic variables that affect the long-term performance of siding.
The eight variables are:
- Rain
- Snow
- Hurricanes
- Hail
- Temperature range
- Humidity
- UV exposure
- Topographical factors
Using these factors, ten distinct climate zones were found. Each zone in the U.S. has its own climatic qualities. Since climate isn’t one-size-fits-all, your home siding shouldn’t be either.
Within these zones were common variables — allowing the engineering of the HZ5® and HZ10® distinct product lines.
Zones 1 Through 5: HZ5 System
The HZ5® siding is designed to withstand damage from:
- Ice / Hail
- Snow
- Freezing temperatures
This system is engineered to tackle extreme temperatures variations. It was designed with a reduced water absorption rate and more strength in freezing climates.
The surface is engineered for higher performance and has superior paint adhesion and moisture resistance — ensuring its beauty equals its durability.
This siding is winter ready for the northern conditions; it’s able to resist shrinking, swelling, and cracking.
Zones 6 Through 10: HZ10 System
The HZ10® siding is designed to withstand damage from:
- Humid heat
- Salty sea air
- Hurricane-force winds
This system is engineered to take on the brutal, humid heat of the southern half of the U.S. The Hardie boards resist cracking, splitting, rotting, and swelling season after season.
These boards also provide vibrant, lasting color with ColorPlus technology for your specific zone — resisting UV fading in any weather conditions.
Durability Against Damage From Hail, Wind, and Other Elements: James Hardie Siding vs. Other Siding Options
No matter if you’re replacing siding or installing it for the first time, durability should be a high priority for you.
You want your investment to last and be able to withstand extreme weather.
Durability of James Hardie vs. Vinyl
Vinyl siding has come a long way over the years. But when compared to the fiber cement siding of James Hardie, there’s a clear winner in the durability category.
Impact can easily cause cracks in vinyl siding. Hardie boards are engineered to withstand impact.
Vinyl siding can last 20-40 years, whereas James Hardie can last 50 years or longer.
Durability of James Hardie vs. Cedar Wood
James Hardie has definite advantages over cedar siding when it comes to durability.
Cedar is subject to the effects of wind, rain, ice, snow, and hail. Fiber cement siding is designed to resist weather damage in all climates.
Cedar siding can also attract termites, woodpeckers, and other pests. These natural wood-loving creatures don’t eat Hardie fiber cement.
Cedar must be repainted or re-treated every three to five years, while James Hardie siding can go many years without the need to repaint.
Durability of James Hardie vs. Engineered Wood Siding
While engineered wood siding has some improvements over traditional wood siding, it’s still vulnerable to many of the issues that come with wood building materials.
It is susceptible to damage caused by moisture, weather, pests, and fire.
Hardie fiber cement siding is not susceptible to many of the factors that can damage engineered wood siding products.
Durability of James Hardie vs. Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is not right for you if hail damage is a concern of yours.
Aluminum siding can be dented by hail and blowing debris. Strong winds can also dislodge individual planks.
While it’s cheaper to replace than Hardie board, Hardie fiber cement will weather the storms better overall.
What Happens if Your James Hardie Siding Gets Hail Damage?
James Hardie siding is the perfect investment for Pacific Northwest homes. But what happens if your siding becomes damaged by hail?
James Hardie Siding comes with a great warranty! This is why it’s so important to ensure your siding is installed properly — improper installation will null your warranty.
As long as you use a trusted and reliable James Hardie Preferred installer, it comes with a 30-year non-prorated warranty.
Elite Home Exteriors: Your James Hardie Elite Contractor for Clark County and Portland Metro
If you want a durable product that looks great, using a James Hardie Preferred Contractor is the way to go.
At Elite Home Exteriors, we know James Hardie siding — it’s what we specialize in!
We follow James Hardie best practices and can offer our clients a 30-year non-prorated warranty.
Being a smaller company, we get to know our customers 1-on-1. Contact us today to begin a personal relationship with siding contractors that deliver services with honesty and transparency. We’ll begin with a 100% free consultation and help you decide what product is best for your home.