Exactly What Is James Hardie Siding?

Try to imagine a particular type of house siding, James Hardie Plank siding, that fulfills all of your wants and desires. The appearance is similar to actual wood siding and it is substantial and solid. It has the advantage of easily being painted, unlike other types of siding, and it provides an excellent resale value. The siding is extremely fire resistant and is easy to install. However, exactly what Is James Hardie Siding?

Where is Hardie Board Made?

This siding originated from a Canadian company called James Hardie Industries. Some refer to the siding as Hardie Plank whereas others call it fiber-cement siding. The siding is a combination of cementitious materials and cellulose fibers. Hardie Plank siding is available in long, horizontal strips. It is very similar to wood lap siding. The siding is partly mineral (sand & cement) and partly wood (cellulose). If you break off a piece of the siding, you will find a brittle interior core that is interlaced with wood fibers.

You may think that the wood grain appearance is evident because of the wood cellulose content. However, the real reason why it has a wood grain appearance is because of the embossed texture. The embossed texturing has basically two purposes. First, it helps to simulate the look of the wood grain. Second, it provides a richer look by breaking up the flat surface.

Is Hardie Plank Siding Worth it?

One of the main features of Hardie Plank siding is its resale value. This will be especially beneficial for anyone who owns a home and is considering installing new siding. Many homeowners consider vinyl, aluminum, or wood siding for a future renovation. However, a recent article in a major remodeling magazine suggested that if a homeowner is planning to sell their home in the future, they can expect to recoup the majority of the total cost if they choose James Hardie siding.

As mentioned previously, Hardie Plank is considered to be extremely fire resistant, however, it is not fireproof. A more accurate definition would be that Hardie Plank siding will not contribute any combustibles if a fire occurs. By contrast, a wood or vinyl siding can significantly feed a flame.

In addition, Hardie Plank siding is resistant to vermin and insects. Obviously, wood siding has over the years proven to be a problem when it comes to attracting termites, carpenter ants, and other pests. True, Hardie Plank siding does contain a cellulose fiber, however, it does not contain enough cellulose to attract bugs or vermin.

As a rule, the cost of Hardie Board is more expensive than using aluminum, wood, or vinyl siding. In fact, it is approximately 3 times more expensive. Also, remember that vinyl siding is pre-painted whereas Hardy Plank siding requires a fresh coat of paint. This will add to the cost of the entire siding job.

Additional cost factors may include few qualified Hardie Plank siding contractors, low supply, high demand, longer installation times, and higher shipping costs because it is heavier. However, remember that Hardie Plank siding is environmentally friendly. The cellulose comes from woods that are not on the endangered species list, the sand/cement used are easily found in great abundance, and it contains no toxic materials. Therefore, if someone asks you, what Is James Hardie Siding? Tell them that it is the best siding to use on your home.

If you are considering putting new siding on your home. Let the Hardie Plank Siding experts at Morgan Exteriors help you achieve a worry-free installation. Contact us below for a no-cost, no-obligation estimate.