James Hardie Board Siding Pros and Cons
Fiber cement siding, like that found with James Hardie Board Siding, is fast becoming a popular alternative to vinyl and wood. Fiber cement is a composition siding that uses plant fibers, sand, and cement to form horizontal exterior accents. Like any material, there are pros and cons of James Hardie Board Siding. In this article, we’ll go over these.
Pros
Longevity – James Hardie Board Siding comes with a 50-year, limited transferable warranty. It’s completely rot and insect resistant. Rot can’t adhere to it and insects can’t find a foothold in it. It can also handle the salt spray from the ocean if you live near one. James Hardie Board Siding is also impervious to damage from storms such as hail. It just doesn’t affect it.
Appearance – James Hardie Board Siding can be made to look like any type of wood house siding such as cedar and clapboard. Siding color options are unlimited. The colors are warrantied up to 15 years on the color alone so you don’t have to paint it very often.
Fire Resistance – Hardie board siding is about 90 percent sand and cement so it’s fireproof. It’s inherently resistant to flames.
Storm Resistance – No matter what Mother Nature throws your home’s way, James Hardie Board Siding is ready for it. It can withstand snow – not that we see much of that in Texas – extreme heat and rain storms, including hail.
Cons
Costs a lot upfront – James Hardie Board Siding can be 40 percent more expensive than other siding choices. Of course, this high upfront cost must be weighed against its benefits. If you divide out the years of service versus your initial high investment, Hardie Board might be cheaper on a monthly or yearly basis. Another thing to note is that you’ll have to pay more for the labor to put on the James Hardie Board Siding. Fiber cement’s extraordinary weight makes it difficult for contractors to install and haul it. James Hardie Board Siding goes for about $1,000 or $10 per square foot.
If you can manage the cost, you’ll more than make up for it in longevity and durability. James Hardie Board Siding is something we, at 21st Century Texas know how to do. Give us a call today at 512-219-0342 for more information.