Consider Fiber-Cement Siding for Your Exterior Remodel

by Tim Liegler

Vinyl isn’t the only option when it comes to siding a house. There also is James Hardie® fiber-cement siding. Fiber-cement siding provides durability, longevity, ease of maintenance and great curb appeal. It’s a natural product and is considered green and sustainable by industry professionals.  Where subdivisions require a natural product to be installed on the home, fiber cement siding will most often qualify as a siding that fits into the covenants of the subdivision. Cost-wise, it’s a little more than high-end vinyl, but the benefits far outweigh the cost difference.

James Hardie fiber-cement siding is thicker than vinyl, providing deeper shadow lines and a more natural wood grain texture.  Fiber cement is also noncombustible, resistant to moisture, woodpeckers, and insects.

James Hardie also manufactures its siding to take into account climate differences. Here in the Midwest we have huge temperature changes and freeze and thaw cycles. James Hardie engineered a siding that provides superior paint adhesion and protection from heat, hail, high winds, snow, and other climate conditions.

James Hardie fiber-cement siding comes in a variety of styles including traditional lap siding (4 widths), a beaded colonial lap siding, vertical siding in four styles including a stucco look, and in three shingle style sidings.  The horizontal lap sidings come in both a smooth and a cedarmill finish.  To fully complement your siding look, James Hardie also offers a full complement of HardieTrim® boards, HardieTrim® crown molding, and HardieSoffit® panels.

When considering James Hardie fiber-cement siding, look into the wide range of colors available in their ColorPlus® Technology.  This is an innovative product with a baked-on finish providing unprecedented color consistency.  Products with the ColorPlus technology provide you years of lasting beauty and peace of mind with a 15-year finish warranty.  HardieTrim and HardiSoffit also come with ColorPlus Technology in fewer colors.  An edge coater, touch-up pen and caulk complete the look.  

A common question is whether fiber-cement siding can be put over existing siding. It cannot or the warranty is void. Proper installation means the home’s exterior needs to be stripped down to sheathing, a weather barrier installed, followed by installation of the fiber cement siding.

A beautiful appearance, durability, ease of maintenance, years of enjoyment, a siding voted #1 return on investment for siding replacement by a leading industry magazine, and finally peace-of-mind with an outstanding 30-year limited, transferable warranty that offers non-prorated coverage for the entire 30 years.