Is James Hardie Siding seriously that good?
Siding is a very popular home finishing solution in the United States. There is nothing surprising about this, after all, it has many advantages, it is, above all, easy to install, easy to maintain and can change the face of our home with its wide range of styles and colors.
However, when choosing a siding, we should carefully browse the market to get a better idea of what the various manufacturers have to offer, as there are really many of them and each specializes in different types of siding. One of the more recognizable companies in the United States is James Hardie Siding with its flagship product, fiber cement siding. In today's article we are going to take a closer look at just this manufacturer, so if you are curious as to whether James Hardie Siding is really that good, be sure to stay with us!
Fiber cement siding vs vinyl siding
As we mentioned in the introduction, today we are going to take a look at a well-established company like James Hardie, and more specifically at their flagship product, fiber cement siding. However, in order to get to know this product better we will compare it with another very popular type of siding. So let's move on to a comparison of vinyl siding vs fiber cement siding.
Durability and longevity
The most important function of siding is, of course, to protect the house from the outside elements, so we will start our comparison by looking at how fiber cement siding and vinyl siding compare in terms of durability and longevity.
According to James Hardie contractor Wilmette, fiber cement siding stands out for its above-average resistance to various, even extreme weather events. In addition, it is also really resistant to impacts and high temperatures. Vinyl siding, on the other hand, is not as robust; of course, it is also resistant to various weather phenomena, however, it cannot withstand such extreme conditions as fiber cement siding. In addition to this, vinyl siding is also not particularly resistant to impacts and high temperatures.
In terms of durability, it is also worth noting the longevity of both types of siding. Fiber cement siding, thanks to its truly excellent durability, can withstand up to 50 years of use in not necessarily favorable weather conditions. Vinyl siding, on the other hand, in the vast majority of cases, already requires frequent repairs or even complete replacement after 20 years.
Costs and guarantee
When discussing fiber cement siding from James Hardie and vinyl siding, one cannot forget to compare prices. In this case, the flagship product of the company we mentioned does not come out perfectly, it is definitely more expensive than vinyl. This is, of course, due to its great performance, but also to the recognition of the James Hardie company in the market which also drives up its price. However, there is no denying that the value for money in this case is outstanding and also the value of the house after installing fiber cement siding increases.
It is also worth noting the guarantee, fiber cement siding from James Hardie, unlike most manufacturers does not offer a perpetual guarantee only a 25-year guarantee. This is a downside, however, the guarantee actually works, so in situations when something bad happens to our siding, we can count on fast and effective professional help.
Colors and design options
At the very end, we would still like to point out how fiber cement siding and vinyl siding look in general. Namely, fiber cement siding from James Hardie offers tremendous customization possibilities thanks to a very wide range of models, textures and colors, so it can easily fit into virtually any project. With vinyl siding it's not so good, of course, it is available in many styles and colors, however, there are far fewer of them and they are less distinctive. Therefore, if you dream of a non-obvious aesthetic, you should rather choose fiber cement siding.
Summary
In conclusion, fiber cement siding from James Hardie is an excellent product when it comes to properties. It is definitely more durable and long-lasting than vinyl siding. Of course, it also has its disadvantages, if only such as the high price, while this does not change the fact that the quality-to-price ratio of fiber cement siding is excellent. Therefore, we don't have the slightest doubt that siding from James Hardie is a great choice that will work on virtually any home.