It’s time to replace your home’s siding.
You’ve asked around and scoured the web for advice on the best type and brand — and it all keeps coming back to Hardie board.
But before you call a siding contractor, you want to find out the good, the bad, and the ugly. What are the pros and cons of Hardie siding board?
If you’re considering adding Hardie board siding to your home but want to know more, we’ve got the details — including who to call for professional installation.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Pros and Cons of Hardie Siding board?
- 5 Pros of Hardie board
- What Are the Cons of Hardie board?
- Elite Home Exteriors: Transform Your Home With a James Hardie ELITE Preferred Contractor
What Are the Pros and Cons of Hardie Siding Board?
5 Pros of Hardie Board
Hardie board siding is protecting millions of homes across the country — and for good reasons. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect with Hardie board:
#1: Impressive Durability and Longevity
Hardie board siding is built for longevity. And when it’s professionally installed and properly maintained, it can last up to 50 years.
Hardie board:
- Stands up to the elements: Hardie’s fiber cement is resistant to …
- Rain
- Hail
- Ice storms
- Violent winds
- Snow; and
- Intense humidity.
- Is region-specific:
- HZ5® is perfect for areas with lots of snow and ice.
- HZ10® is specially formulated for humid climates.
- Resists moisture: Hardie board doesn’t suffer moisture damage, meaning you don’t have to worry about the swelling, rotting, and warping that often affects wood siding.
- Is resistant to damage: Fiber cement’s resiliency makes Hardie board siding less likely to crack or dent when faced with impacts from hail, tree limbs, and other debris.
#2: Adds Curb Appeal
If you want a home that has curb appeal like no other, Hardie board is the way to go.
- Is perfect for any architectural style: With its wide variety of versatile styles and colors, Hardie board siding allows you to easily recreate the look of wood siding found in Tudor, Victorian, and other traditional home styles.
- Mimics the look of real wood: James Hardie siding goes a step above the competition by designing wood-like grain on every board. And it keeps its beautiful appearance over time, without the expensive maintenance required with real wood.
- Provides lasting color: Unlike paint and other siding finishes that may become noticeably dull over time, James Hardie’s ColorPlus® Technology is specifically engineered to help resist damaging UV rays — meaning your color will be vibrant for years to come.
- Offers a curated color palette: James Hardie’s color experts have created a stunning selection of timeless colors that look perfect on exterior siding.
#3: Low Maintenance
If you’re into keeping it simple when it comes to maintaining your home’s exterior, Hardie board siding is well worth your investment.
Unlike wood siding, fiber cement is resistant to …
- Moisture damage
- Rot
- Dents; and
- Cracking
… so it doesn’t need regular repair or replacement.
It’s also incredibly easy to clean:
- Use soapy water to wipe away dirt and dust
- Scrub with a soft bristle brush; and
- Use the garden hose to rinse away the residue
Maintaining your home’s siding doesn’t get much easier than that!
#4: Protects Against Pests
Carpenter ants.
Woodpeckers.
These creatures can wreak havoc on wood siding — but not Hardie board.
Our fiber cement siding:
- Doesn’t attract pests
- By its very nature, fiber cement is unappealing to critters.
- Saves you money
- With Hardie board, you don’t have to worry about the cost of a termite invasion.
#5: Fire Resistant
If you’re like most homeowners, knowing your siding is safe during a fire is a major concern.
With Hardie board, you can put your worries about your siding to rest.
Hardie board siding is rated non-combustible, meaning it is resistant to burning and melting. Plus, since it’s made of fiber cement, it doesn’t add fuel to the fire, as wood siding does.
And since James Hardie products are non-combustible, many insurance companies are willing to give homeowners a special discount — so be sure to ask your agent about this added perk.
What Are the Cons of Hardie Board?
While Hardie board siding has many great benefits, there are a few potential cons, such as:
- It’s heavier than other types of siding materials.
- It can be more expensive on the front-end.
- It should be installed by professionals.
#1: Heavier Than Other Siding Materials
Hardie board siding contains cement, so it stands to reason that it is heavier than vinyl or wood siding.
This extra weight means Hardie board siding is more challenging to handle, which also makes it tricky to install.
To ensure it isn’t damaged during the installation process, each piece of siding must be carried by two people. This means that a larger crew is required for installation.
But it’s the heaviness of Hardie board siding that makes it longer lasting and protects the home.
#2: Can Be More Costly Upfront
Installing Hardie board siding is a detailed, labor-intensive process — much more so than other types of siding.
And it should always be installed by a professionally trained James Hardie ELITE Preferred Contractor, since improper installation may void your warranty.
Because of its intricate installation process, Hardie board siding takes longer to install and may have a higher initial cost.
However, the fact that it’s more cost-effective long-term, balances out the cost — making James Hardie siding worth your investment.
#3: Proper Installation Matters for Warranty and Longevity
James Hardie Siding not only looks and performs amazingly well, but it’s also famous for its great warranties:
- HardiePlank® lap, HardieShingle® siding, HardiePanel vertical® , and HardieSoffit® are covered by a 30-year limited product warranty.
- HardieTrim® boards are covered by a 15-year limited product warranty.
- HardieWrap® weather barrier, flex flashing, seam tape, and flashing have a 10-year limited product warranty.
But there’s just one caveat. If your siding isn’t installed properly, it can fail over time — and void your warranty.
That’s why it’s critical to use an ELITE preferred contractor, like Elite Home Exteriors.
Our team is trained to meet James Hardie’s rigorous standards, so you can be confident your siding will be installed properly — and your warranty will be protected.
Elite Home Exteriors: Transform Your Home With a James Hardie ELITE Preferred Contractor
Even with knowing the pros and cons of Hardie siding board, choosing the right siding for your home can be overwhelming.
Elite Home Exteriors can help!
At Elite Home Exteriors, siding is our specialty. Let our experienced team of professionals help you decide what’s right for you and your home.
As a James Hardie ELITE Preferred Contractor, you can be confident that we:
- Properly install all products for optimal performance
- Firmly adhere to James Hardie’s Installation Best Practices; and
- Maintain a satisfactory credit rating
Our family-owned business prides itself on treating our customers with:
- Respect
- Integrity; and
- Transparency
Contact Elite Home Exteriors today for your free estimate — and find out just how beautiful your new siding can be.