Are you looking at the siding on your home and wondering how it got to look so bad? The paint is bubbling or chipping, pieces are cracked or loose, and the overall aesthetics of your home is taking a hit. You’d love to get it replaced with something that lasts longer than wood, vinyl, or aluminum, and fiber cement siding certainly fits the bill. But how long does Hardie Board last when compared to other products?
James Hardie fiber cement siding, also known as Hardie board or Hardie plank, is known for its durability and its ability to stand up to all four seasons we get in the Pacific Northwest. From the sun bearing down on it during the summer to the rain, snow, hail, and freezing temps we get in the cooler months.
It also does the job against other natural enemies of home siding: insects, small animals, moss, and fungi. And with fires becoming more prevalent due to climate change, Hardie board is fire resistant, giving your home one more layer of protection against open flames.
How Long Does Hardie Board Last?
All of the above comes together to give your home decades of protection and looks great doing it! While James Hardie offers a 30-year limited warranty on their siding, Hardie board has been known to last up to and beyond 50 years with proper installation and maintenance.
Other products, such as wood, vinyl, or aluminum siding, can also have long lifespans when installed by professionals and well-cared for in ideal environments. But as we know, conditions aren’t always ideal in this corner of the country.
Take wood for example–we can’t say it doesn’t look fantastic when first installed. But after a few years, you may notice peeling paint on the side of the house that takes the brunt of the weather season after season. And then there’s infestation by pests that provide openings for water to leak behind the siding and into the home. There are no such issues with James Hardie products.
Vinyl siding is a popular choice for homes because it is relatively inexpensive and can come in various styles and textures. But it can warp in extremely high temperatures, crack when hit by flying debris, and bubble if there is a fire. Hardie planks stand up to the abuse much better, and as we said earlier, are fire-resistant.
Aluminum siding is another option for homeowners and, like vinyl, can mimic the look of wood. But it is a much flimsier type of material than Hardie board and is prone to bending and denting. It also doesn’t offer insulative properties like the much thicker fiber cement products do.
All three require more maintenance than Hardie board, which can be cleaned easily with a standard garden hose. With wood, there’s constant painting and sealing to keep it protected and cracks in vinyl and aluminum need to be addressed immediately to prevent water damage underneath.
Why Choose Hardie Board?
Overall, Hardie board siding has become a popular choice for homeowners and builders due to its durability, versatility, and low maintenance requirements. It is commonly used in regions with diverse weather conditions, where it can help protect homes and maintain their appearance over the long term.
Along with its durability and easy maintenance, James Hardie siding, trim boards, and accessories look fantastic when properly installed. Hardie board comes in various styles and textures, allowing you to give your home an immediate facelift no matter the architecture. With wood grain and smooth finishes, a wide range of colors, and high customizability, James Hardie products are the perfect combo of form and function.
Joseph Ketner has been installing James Hardie products on Portland homes for 20 years, so we have the experience to do the job right. We are a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, which means we meet–and exceed–certain standards put forth by the company. We are one of the highest-rated Hardie board installers in Portland, with a 99% customer recommendation rating.
This is important because, no matter the materials you decide to go with, siding is only as good as its installation. Even the smallest imperfections during installation can lead to water leaks that will cause major damage if not immediately addressed. Poor installation can also lead to pieces of siding simply coming loose or falling off well before their life expectancy.
Re-siding your home is a big decision, but can make all the difference in how your home looks and feels. You have two decisions to make, one with what kind of siding you’re going to use and two, with who you’ll hire to install it. Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make, so why not go with the best options when you can? Reach out to Joseph Ketner today to set up a free consultation and we’ll give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision.