Frequently Asked Questions
by Elite Home Exteriors NW
Frequently Asked Questions
by Elite Home Exteriors NW
Welcome to our FAQ page, your go-to resource for answers to all your questions! Whether you’re a new visitor or a seasoned user, we understand that clarity and information are essential. Here, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide you with quick and helpful solutions. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly support team, who are always ready to assist you. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope this FAQ page simplifies your journey with us!
Yes—James Hardie fiber cement siding is generally considered a better long-term siding option than vinyl, especially for homeowners who want durability, protection, and higher resale value.
While vinyl siding is popular because of its lower upfront cost, James Hardie siding is engineered to provide stronger protection against weather, fire, and long-term damage, making it a premium siding system for many homes.
James Hardie siding is made from a fiber cement blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This creates a thick, rigid siding that resists cracking, warping, and impact damage far better than vinyl. Vinyl siding is lightweight plastic and can crack, buckle, or warp with temperature changes or impacts like hail.
Fiber cement siding can often last 50 years or more, while vinyl siding typically lasts around 20–30 years before showing significant wear.
James Hardie fiber cement siding is non-combustible and carries a Class A fire rating, meaning it will not ignite or contribute fuel to a fire. Vinyl siding, on the other hand, can soften, warp, or melt when exposed to high heat or flames.
This added fire resistance can provide extra protection for your home and may even qualify for insurance benefits in some cases.
Homes in the Pacific Northwest—especially around Portland and Vancouver—deal with heavy rain and moisture. James Hardie siding is engineered to resist water, humidity, pests, and severe weather conditions, helping protect the structure of the home over time.
Vinyl siding itself doesn’t rot, but it can trap moisture behind the panels if water gets in, potentially leading to hidden mold or rot in the wall sheathing.
James Hardie siding also offers a higher-end appearance. Its thicker material allows it to closely replicate real wood textures while maintaining consistent color through factory-applied finishes like ColorPlus® Technology.
Because of its durability and premium look, fiber cement siding often adds more resale value to a home than vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding can be a budget-friendly option, but James Hardie fiber cement siding is typically the better long-term investment for homeowners who want durability, fire protection, and lasting curb appeal.
In short:
James Hardie Fiber Cement siding is by far superior to any other siding products. Cedar rots, Vinyl cracks, Stucco and EIFs crack.
First, you need to have a professional siding contractor come out and take a look! We know what to look for with potential rot. Here in the NW wood siding is one of the worst sidings to have on your home because of the rain and moisture. Engineered Wood siding like, T1-11, Cedar Siding, Omniboard, Pressboard, and all other wood siding has a higher probability of water damage. Contact us today for a free inspection and honest opinion of your exterior condition.
We charge a fair and reasonable “Time and Material” rates when unforeseen issues come up within the project. This would be discussed during the estimate appointment.
It was common for Vinyl Siding to be installed over old cedar lap or shake siding. Products like James Hardie need to be installed directly over the sub wall or fur strips. Most of the time we need to tear off all layers of siding to get to the sub wall. T1-11 Siding can be spot replaced and used as a sub wall to install James Hardie Plank over top of it (After a new vapor barrier is installed).
Different materials have different lifespans — vinyl siding may last ~10–20 years but offten warps, fades, cracks and allows water intrusion. James HardiePlank Fiber cement ~30–50+ years, and wood/cedar varies widely depending on maintenance and not recommended in our climate.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead based paint. We can test your home for Lead Based Paint while we are on site. We are lead certified to remove any siding containing Lead based paint safely.
Paint manufacturers have a “Limited Lifetime Warranty” on most products. Wood siding should be painted every 5-7 years (Or more). Fiber Cement (James Hardie, Allura, Certainteed) should be painted/ caulked every 12-15 years depending on how dark the color is and vinyl does not require any painting.
You can if you want it to warp and look melted and fall off your home. One of the downsides to Vinyl is the color you pick is the color you see until you reside your home but you save thousands by not painting every 6-14 years.
Cedar siding has a classic Pacific Northwest look, but it struggles in Portland’s rainy climate and requires significant ongoing maintenance.
Because cedar is a natural wood product, it absorbs moisture. With Portland’s long rainy seasons and high humidity, cedar siding can swell, crack, grow mildew, and eventually rot if it is not regularly maintained. To slow this process, cedar typically needs to be cleaned, sealed, or re-stained every 3–5 years, which adds substantial long-term cost.
Even with maintenance, cedar siding in wet climates can begin to rot in vulnerable areas like joints, trim, and lower wall sections. Once rot starts, it often spreads to nearby boards and sometimes into the structure behind the siding.
Many homeowners choose James Hardie® fiber cement siding instead because it is engineered for wet climates. Unlike cedar, fiber cement does not absorb water, won’t rot, and requires far less maintenance while still providing a natural wood-look finish.
In short: Cedar siding can be beautiful but often becomes an expensive, high-maintenance material in Portland’s rainy environment, while fiber cement siding provides longer-lasting protection.
Flashing is a thin material—usually metal or plastic—installed at critical points of a home, such as around windows, doors, rooflines, and siding seams. Its purpose is to direct water away from vulnerable areas, preventing leaks, rot, mold, and structural damage.
Common types of flashing include:
Incorrect flashing installation can allow water to bypass the protective barriers, leading to hidden damage and costly repairs. Professional installation ensures:
James Hardie Cedarmill is a type of fiber cement siding designed to mimic the natural look and texture of cedar wood. It offers the rich, warm appearance of wood without the maintenance issues like rot, warping, or insect damage.
1. Texture & Appearance
👉 In short — Cedarmill feels more traditional and rustic, while Smooth feels more contemporary and crisp.
2. Aesthetic Style & Design Impact
3. How They Hide Imperfections
4. Performance & Durability
There’s no difference in durability or performance — both are made of the same fiber cement material, resist rot, pests, fire, and weathering, and come with similar warranties.
Q1: What is James Hardie Batten Board?
A: James Hardie Batten Board is a type of fiber cement siding designed to create the board-and-batten look, a classic architectural style where wide boards are installed vertically with narrow battens covering the seams. It offers the appearance of traditional wood siding but with the durability of fiber cement.
Q2: How does it differ from regular siding?
A: Unlike standard lap or panel siding, Batten Board emphasizes vertical lines and deep shadow patterns, giving a home a more modern, rustic, or farmhouse style. Made from fiber cement, it won’t rot, warp, or attract insects like wood.
Q3: Can it be painted?
A: Yes. Batten Board can be painted any color, and James Hardie also offers prefinished options for long-lasting color and fade resistance.
Q4: Is Batten Board suitable for wet climates?
A: Absolutely. Engineered for durability, it withstands moisture, extreme weather, and temperature changes, making it ideal for regions like the Pacific Northwest.
Q5: How is it installed?
A: Batten Board is installed vertically, with wide panels or boards placed first, followed by narrower battens covering the seams. Proper installation includes a weather-resistant barrier and flashing to prevent moisture infiltration.
Q6: Why choose James Hardie Batten Board?
A: It combines classic style with long-term durability, low maintenance, and a professional finish. It enhances curb appeal while protecting the home from rot, pests, and weather damage — something traditional wood can’t guarantee.
James Hardie fiber cement trim boards are installed around exterior architectural elements — such as windows, doors, corners, and soffits — to create clean lines and accentuate design details while providing durable edges that protect against moisture and weather damage.
Q1: What is James Hardie Shake siding?
A: James Hardie Shake is a type of fiber cement siding designed to mimic the look of traditional cedar shingles or shakes. It provides the classic, textured appearance of hand-split wood but with the durability, fire resistance, and low maintenance of fiber cement.
Q2: How does it differ from lap or smooth siding?
A: Unlike lap or smooth siding, Hardie Shake features irregular edges and a woodgrain texture, creating a distinctive, rustic, or coastal aesthetic. It’s often used on gables, accent walls, or full exteriors for a visually striking effect.
Q3: Can James Hardie Shake be painted?
A: Yes. Shake siding can be painted any color, and James Hardie also offers prefinished options with factory-applied finishes that resist fading, chalking, and peeling.
Q4: Is it suitable for wet or harsh climates?
A: Absolutely. Made from fiber cement, Hardie Shake resists rot, warping, fire, and insect damage, making it ideal for areas with heavy rain, humidity, or temperature fluctuations, like the Pacific Northwest.
Q5: How is James Hardie Shake installed?
A: Shake siding is installed in staggered courses, overlapping to ensure proper drainage and a natural wood appearance. Installation usually includes a weather-resistant barrier and flashing for long-term moisture protection.
Q6: Why choose James Hardie Shake?
A: It combines the beauty of cedar shakes with the durability of fiber cement, offering a long-lasting, low-maintenance exterior that increases curb appeal and protects the home for decades.
No, James Hardie Plank (fiber cement siding) is highly resistant to rot. Unlike traditional wood siding, it does not absorb moisture that can lead to decay. Properly installed, it can last 30–50 years or more without rotting.
While the siding itself won’t rot, improper installation or water trapped behind the boards can cause underlying framing or trim to rot. That’s why a weather-resistant barrier, proper flashing, and caulking around windows and doors are essential.
James Hardie Plank is made from fiber cement, which combines cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This formula is inorganic and stable, so it doesn’t provide the conditions wood needs to rot.
Unlike wood siding, James Hardie Plank:
Yes! We have worked very hard to achieve the James Hardie Alliance Contractor Status. Elite has completed many homes in our local Portland OR and Clark County WA areas with James Hardie Siding and have been trained by James Hardie engineers to insure top quality installation initiating a James Hardie 30 Year Non Pro Rated Warranty. We will ALWAYS install Hardie products with James Hardie requirement Installation “Best Elite Practice” requirements.
We specialize in fiber‑cement (James HardiePlank), Wood products, Windows and Doors as well as exterior Sherwin Williams Painting.
We serve Vancouver, WA and the greater Portland, OR metro area, including Gresham, Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Washougal, Damascus, Fairview, Sunnyside, Wood Village, Boring, Clark County, and more. Roughly a 50 mile radius around Portland Oregon.
Yes! We are a James Hardie Alliance Preferred Siding Contractor, LEAD‑certified, and BBB A+ accredited with full state licensing and insurance in Washington and Oregon.
Different materials have different lifespans — vinyl siding may last ~10–20 years but offten warps, fades, cracks and allows water intrusion. James HardiePlank Fiber cement ~30–50+ years, and wood/cedar varies widely depending on maintenance and not recommended in our climate.
We begin with a free, no‑pressure consultation in‑person where we assess your exterior needs, discuss materials, design, pricing, and timeline. Estimates are finalized before any work starts .
Our specialty is James Hardie plank siding, using premium Hardie products known for durability, fire resistance, and low maintenance—Elite Home Exteriors NW is a James Hardie Alliance Elite Preferred installer.
Yes! All installations come with manufacturer warranties (e.g., from Hardie) and our own LIFETIME workmanship guarantees. Details are discussed during your estimate .
We’re a local, family‑owned team focused on craftsmanship, transparent communication, punctuality, and honesty. Multiple reviews praise our clear design plans, punctual crews, and stress‑free experience. You will work directly with the company owner Ian. No commission based salesmen.
Absolutely. We handle both small homeowner jobs and larger residential or commercial projects with the same commitment to quality and timeliness .
Best way to reach us is through one of our online inquiry boxes which can be found on every page of our website or call us at 360‑605‑9030 or 971‑978‑8775.
Chances are the buyer is going to try and negotiate pricing with you. If you have Engineered wood siding (Especially if that product when in a lawsuit for product failure), Cedar Siding, T1-11 Panel Siding, and all other wood sidings, an inspector will find something wrong with your siding. Usually “Flashing” is not up to code which would require a full reside.
Yes—installing new siding can significantly increase your home’s resale value. New siding improves curb appeal, enhances energy efficiency, and signals to buyers that the home has been well maintained.
According to national remodeling cost vs. value studies, siding replacement is consistently one of the top home improvement projects for return on investment. In many cases, homeowners can recover a large portion of the project cost when they sell their home. For buyers, updated siding reduces concerns about future maintenance, water damage, and structural issues, which can make your property more attractive and easier to sell.
In the Portland, Oregon and Southwest Washington climate, siding plays an especially important role because homes must withstand heavy rain, moisture, and temperature changes. Durable materials like fiber cement siding are designed to resist rot, pests, and moisture damage, which adds long-term value and protection to the home.
Beyond the financial return, new siding can also help your home sell faster. Fresh, modern exterior finishes create a strong first impression and can make your property stand out in competitive real estate markets.
In short: New siding is not just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s an investment that can improve your home’s value, protection, and marketability.
The “hidden cost” of wood siding maintenance is the ongoing time, labor, and repeated repair expenses that accumulate over the life of the home.
Wood siding requires regular maintenance to protect it from moisture, rot, insects, and weather damage. Most homes with wood siding need to be scraped, caulked, and repainted or re-stained every 3–5 years to maintain protection. These recurring maintenance cycles can add up to thousands of dollars over time.
In the Portland, Oregon and Southwest Washington climate, the constant rain and moisture make wood siding even more vulnerable. If maintenance is delayed, wood can begin to absorb water, swell, crack, or rot, which may lead to costly repairs such as replacing boards, repairing sheathing, or addressing mold issues behind the siding.
Another hidden cost is ongoing inspections and pest control. Wood siding can attract insects like carpenter ants or termites if moisture penetrates the surface.
Over the lifespan of a home, the total cost of painting, repairs, pest prevention, and moisture damage can often exceed the original installation cost of the siding itself.
In short: The hidden cost of wood siding isn’t just the material—it’s the continuous maintenance, repairs, and potential damage that can add up year after year.
Whether it’s cheaper to repair siding or replace it depends on the extent of the damage and the type of siding on the home. While small, isolated issues can sometimes be repaired, siding problems often reveal larger hidden damage once the wall is opened.
For example, when a contractor removes a damaged section to repair it, they may discover rot in the sheathing, framing, or surrounding siding boards. At that point, what started as a small repair can quickly expand into a much larger project. In many cases, homeowners end up needing a full siding replacement anyway after rot or moisture damage is uncovered.
Another factor is that spot repairs can damage the surrounding siding during removal. Older siding can become brittle or tightly integrated with adjacent pieces, making it difficult to remove one section without affecting nearby boards or panels.
Different siding materials also fail in different ways:
Wood siding is prone to rot and moisture damage, especially in wet climates.
Vinyl siding tends to crack or become brittle over time, making repairs noticeable and sometimes difficult to match.
EIFS and traditional stucco can trap moisture, which may lead to hidden rot underneath the system.
When multiple areas of siding are failing—or when moisture damage is present—full replacement is often the more cost-effective long-term solution. A complete siding replacement allows the wall assembly to be properly inspected, repaired, and protected with modern weather barriers and durable materials.
In short: Small siding repairs can be inexpensive, but if rot, moisture damage, or widespread failure is present, replacing the entire siding system is often the smarter and more reliable investment.
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