You may not think of yourself as an “eco-warrior,” but you still want to do what you can to keep our corner of the world green and beautiful—either by recycling, using compost piles, conserving water, and so on. And you’d like to keep those efforts going during a home re-siding project. But is James Hardie environmentally friendly siding?
Go Green With James Hardie Siding
When thinking about “green” building products, there are a few things to take into consideration. The durability of the product, how it’s made, what it’s made of, and other factors. With James Hardie products, you meet all of those requirements and give the exterior of your home an immediate upgrade in the process!
Here are a few of the reasons why James Hardie siding is environmentally friendly:
- Durability
- Sustainable Materials
- Manufacturing
- Low Maintenance
Durability
These siding products boast exceptional resistance to harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain, wind, hail, and even fire. Its longevity far surpasses many other siding options, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste. James Hardie’s fiber cement products are designed to be pest-resistant and are not susceptible to rot or decay, eliminating the need for chemical treatments that could harm the environment.
Sustainable Materials
James Hardie’s fiber cement is primarily composed of natural, renewable, and sustainable raw materials, such as cellulose fibers, cement, sand, and water. These components make it a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional siding materials like vinyl. James Hardie emphasizes using responsibly sourced raw materials, ensuring minimal environmental impact during production.
Manufacturing Process
Sustainability is also valued during the manufacturing process of making a variety of James Hardie siding materials, trim pieces, and other sustainable products. Their continued efforts to use less water and other resources during the production of their materials build on their already sustainable practices.
Their fiber cement products are often manufactured with environmentally friendly processes that aim to minimize waste and energy consumption. James Hardie implements advanced manufacturing techniques to optimize resource utilization and reduce carbon emissions during production.
According to James Hardie, they “are striving to drive down the impact of cement in our products by at least 50%. We are also striving to reduce absolute Scope 1+2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 compared to a 2021 baseline and working towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Our goals are science-based and align with the ambition of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.”
Beyond manufacturing, James Hardie’s commitment to sustainability extends to their operations as well. This includes responsible waste management, energy-efficient manufacturing facilities, and initiatives to reduce its overall environmental impact. This is a truly holistic view of all things friendly to the environment.
Low Maintenance
James Hardie siding requires minimal upkeep over its lifespan, so there’s less need for frequent replacements or repairs compared to other siding materials. This longevity means less waste generated and fewer resources used in manufacturing new materials, lowering the environmental impact.
This also means fewer chemicals, paints, or treatments are needed to keep the siding in good condition and looking great. Traditional wood siding, for example, often requires regular painting or sealing to protect it from the elements. By reducing these maintenance requirements, James Hardie siding helps decrease the use of harmful chemicals and resources that could impact the environment.
James Hardie: The Greenest Siding Brand
In 2020, James Hardie was named the “Greenest Siding Brand” by Green Builder® Media’s yearly survey. Experts in building eco-friendly homes took part in this survey. They check and recommend products for a living, so their choice is reliable for other pros in the industry.
As always, no matter how sustainable a product is or how many awards it wins, the siding is only as good as the installation. Joseph Ketner crews have decades of combined experience installing James Hardie siding products, trim pieces, fascia board, and more. We have been honored by James Hardie as an Elite Preferred Contractor, earned through consistent excellence.
Give us a call if you’re looking to improve the look of the exterior of your home while still being environmentally friendly to the world around you. We offer free consultations, design recommendations, and have a 99% recommendation rating in Portland. No one beats our workmanship, service, or materials.