We’re here to answer your questions regarding the longevity and durability of James Hardie Siding, our favorite siding brand. This popular and effective siding lasts much longer than leading competitors (typically half a century). Hawthorn Exteriors is more than happy to show you all there is to know about this terrific siding product.
What is James Hardie Siding?
The James Hardie company created the material known as fiber cement siding. It’s a composite of Portland cement, wood fibers, and other fused synthetic substances. You might recall our enthusiasm for this product from our previous post on why James Hardie Siding is the best choice for fiber cement siding.
That’s because when you get it installed by a pro, it provides the best home protection out of anything on the market. Hawthorn Exteriors utilizes this material for three different siding styles: Hardie Lap Siding, Hardie Trim Boards (vertical siding), and Shaker Siding (cottage style).
Once we install it for you, it’s a piece of cake to maintain. Rather than worrying about wood rot and other issues with alternative brands, all you have to do is take care of a few cleaning tasks. This would include simple measures like cleaning your gutters, checking for gaps in the siding, and making sure the caulking holds. We also recommend repainting every 10 years.
So, How Long Does It Last?
James Hardie Siding lasts for up to 50 years, assuming proper installation. This exceeds typical market expectations, including the company’s excellent 30-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Vinyl siding, on the other hand, usually starts to fade after about 20 years. Wood siding will require the most maintenance with a similar life expectancy as vinyl. Those materials struggle a lot with moisture absorption, whereas fiber cement is almost entirely resistant to wood rot and decay.
Why does it last so long?
One of the reasons is that their various product lines (i.e., HZ5 and HZ10) correspond to different climates across the country. In other words, they make the siding material to fit areas like St. Louis, which experiences tons of storm trouble, heavy summer humidity, blizzards, and work.
It doesn’t stop there, though. James Hardie’s materials greatly enhance home value with gorgeous color options, newer eco-friendly siding boards, and excellent fire resistance. Plus, you never have to worry about rodents, termites, woodpeckers, or any other nuisance that plagues wood and vinyl siding.
Only Certified Contractors Can Install It
The James Hardie company also does its own training for siding contractors. Hawthorn Exteriors is actually part of their Contractor Alliance and boasts the lofty status of Side Master for their brand. When you utilize a fully-certified James Hardie contractor, you can avoid aggravating problems like:
- Sloppy Nailing
- Insufficient Fastening Points
- Unnecessary Expansion Gaps
- Poor Storage Procedures (prior to installation)
Having a good siding crew matters a lot because there are several ways to make mistakes installing fiber cement siding, which nullifies the advantages you’d expect from a premium product. You don’t want to take chances, especially considering this kind of siding requires a decent financial investment.
Call Hawthorn Exteriors for James Hardie Siding Installation in St. Louis
Hawthorn Exteriors is the #1 Siding Company in St. Louis, according to the online reviewer, BloggerLocal. That means we possess both a huge manufacturer endorsement through the James Hardie company AND laudatory critical acclaim.
Don’t forget that we also perform service work on windows and doors. You can count on fast turn-around times and excellent workmanship for your home remodeling in St. Louis, Kirkwood, Eureka, Webster Groves, and other neighborhoods.
Find out how you can transform your home with James Hardie Siding by contacting us for a consultation at 636-597-6009.
