James Hardie Vs. Cedar and Traditional Vinyl Siding
Is your house ready for inclement weather? When severe winds, heavy rain, hail and other harsh elements pound against your house, you need a strong siding to protect your home.
That’s why more and more homeowners here in Westchester are choosing James Hardie Siding. Durability is only one of the many benefits of this house siding. Here’s what you need to know about James Hardie Siding and how it compares to cedar and traditional vinyl siding.
FIRST, WHAT IS JAMES HARDIE FIBER CEMENT SIDING?
Perhaps you’ve heard of James Hardie Siding but aren’t quite sure what it is. This type of siding first emerged during the 1980s as a substitute to vinyl siding. Also known as Hardie Board, Fiber Cement or HardiePlank siding, James Hardie Siding is a cement board siding, named after its creator, James Hardie. It’s constructed from a mixture of cement materials, sand, wood and cellulose fibers.
JAMES HARDIE VS. CEDAR SIDING
Fiber Cement – Maintenance
A huge advantage of James Hardie Siding is that its exceptional weather-resistant as well as able to withstand pests, moisture, peeling and fading. Thus, Fiber Cement only needs minimal upkeep. About the only maintenance required is a yearly washing, using a nylon bristle brush and soapy water, for removing dust.
Consider how cedar siding needs much more care for maintaining its durability and beauty. Besides having to regularly repaint or stain the wood, you’ll also have to check for problems from pests and look for signs for rot.
James Hardie Siding – Appearance
Hardie Board is a perfect choice for a contemporary look as it features clean, modern lines thanks to its fiber cement. Fiber cement can be shaped to mimic wood grains, giving it a wood grain appearance without having to maintain actual wood siding. Can you paint it? Sure, you can also have it primed for painting or infused with baked-in color.
Cedar siding has a natural wood appearance while offering a wide range of looks, including cedar shakes, board and batten and other options. It’s a good fit for a rustic or traditional looking home. You can either stain or paint it.
James Hardie Siding is Fire Resistant
Another perk of Hardie Board is that its fiber cement material does not burn, making it fire resistant. As a homeowner, you can save money on the cost of home insurance since many insurance companies have discounts for people with Hardie Board siding as it’s noncombustible.
JAMES HARDIE VS. TRADITIONAL VINYL SIDING
Aesthetics
If you’re looking for siding that looks more like real wood but don’t want the maintenance involved with wood siding, then choose James Hardie Siding. Since this siding is thicker, it offers deeper texturing than what’s found in vinyl siding. In other words, it looks more like natural wood. Thus, this siding is known for its rich wood grain appearance that surpasses the look of vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding looks good at first. However, it has a plastic appearance rather than a natural look. It fails to retain its appearance once it begins to fade. Also, since vinyl can easily be dented, it starts to deteriorate with age.
Durability
Although vinyl siding is strong, Hardie Board is thought to be even more durable.
Because vinyl siding is considerably thinner, it’s more likely to be damaged by sharp objects, tools, rocks and other objects.
What’s more, vinyl siding is more susceptible to extreme heat and fire. On the other hand, Hardie Board consists of cement-like materials, which make this siding fire-resistant. As this siding does a better job of withstanding inclement weather, it doesn’t grow brittle with time, so it typically has an exceptionally long warranty.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Fiber cement and cedar are both environmentally friendly.
- When deciding on a siding material, consider factors, such as durability, maintenance, aesthetics, eco-friendliness, and cost.
Questions? For more information on the benefits of cement siding, contact us for a free estimate.
