What Are James Hardie Products Made Of
James Hardie uses fiber cement as the main ingredient in its siding. Fiber cement is made from cement and cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers are mostly cotton and wood pulp. Wood pulp, cement, sand and water are all low in toxicity, and the company hasnt used asbestos in its products since 1987.
James Hardie Siding Cost Vs Lp Smartside Siding Cost
James Hardies fiber cement siding is not as easy to manufacture as other siding types, including LP SmartSides wood composite siding. Therefore, there will be more of a cost investment when James Hardie becomes the material of choice.
Another factor to consider is that the cost of installing James Hardie will be higher than that of LP SmartSide because its heavier material, which means it will not be as easy to handle as the lighter siding.
The James Hardie Fiber Cement Warranty
When you purchase James Hardie siding, it comes with a 30-year limited warranty. This begins on the date of purchase and applies to all 50 states except Alaska. If during the warranty period the product is found to be defective in material or workmanship, Hardie will either repair or replace the defective portions.
Furthermore, the covered person will be reimbursed for up to twice the original retail cost of the defective portions. If the original retail cost cant be established, Hardie will make that determination at its discretion. A 15-year finish warranty is also available for paint and labor.
The siding will not be covered if the damages or defects are a result of improper storage, installation, shipping or handling. It will also not be covered should it be altered or damaged due to structural settling, neglect, abuse, misuse, or acts of God, including tornados, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, severe weather or other natural phenomena.
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Advantages Of Hardieplank Siding Hardie Board & Panels
| Fiber Cement Lap Siding that Looks like Wood but Feels like Concrete | HardiePlank is fiber-cement siding that comes in long, horizontal strips just like wood lap siding, a combination of cellulose fibers and cement materials. |
| Hardie Plank Siding is 100% Fire Resistant | Hardieplank is considered to be fire resistant, though not fireproof. Hardieplank does not contribute combustibles towards a fire. Also, thanks to its partial sand composition, and wont warp, flake, or peel in response to most external stimuli. Wood, obviously, is highly combustible. |
| Thick as Wood and Paintable too | Hardie Plank is nearly as thick as wood siding and can easily be painted. You can either go with the neutral color that hardiePlank comes with or you can paint it. Fiber-cement siding has a number of finishing and design options, helping you to customize your homes exterior, so you can almost always get the aesthetic improvement that you want with this material. |
| Resistant to Insects and Pest Attacks | Carpenter ants and termites are always a problem for wood siding, but hardieplank is considered to be insect resistant. |
| Damage Resistance | Fiber-cement is a strong, thick material that holds up against windstorms, rain and hail, and other forms of weather. |
| Deterioration Resistance | If left alone in practical conditions, fiber cement siding has an extraordinarily long lifespan like most varieties carry warranties of 50 years or more. |
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How To Clean And Maintain James Hardie & Lp Smartside Siding
James Hardie recommends cleaning your siding once to twice a year, but it could be done more frequently if you live in an area prone to an abundance of dust, debris or mildew/mold.
The company recommends using a garden hose to douse the siding and to never use a high-pressure power washer, as this can damage the siding.
To remove dirt and debris, use a soft medium bristle brush, but make sure you dont use a wire brush as that can damage the siding. Should you encounter dirt, grease or mildew that wont come off with just water and light scrubbing, add a mild liquid dishwashing soap to water and use a cloth or soft bristle brush on the stains. Dont let the soap dry on your siding be sure to thoroughly rinse it all off when finished.
LP SmartSide has similar cleaning instructions for its product. They recommend filling a bucket with a solution of mild detergent and water with a cloth, sponge or soft brush and to wash the surface of your siding, then rinse with water with a garden hose.
They also recommend using a solution of three parts water to one part white vinegar to remove mold and mildew stains. Never use harsh abrasives or solvents on LP SmartSide siding, as this can damage the surface or paint.
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How Many Years Does Fiber Cement Siding Last
Vinyl siding has the potential to last for 20-40 years in general, depending on its specific quality and climate. Fiber cement siding, on the other hand, is extremely durable, lasting up to 50 years.
The Dangers Of Fiber Cement Board
One of the many problems with using fiber cement board as an exterior cladding is moisture absorption. moisture exposure can cause the cladding to rot and mold, and even cause damage to the panel. When your fiber cement board isnt in use, its a good idea to keep it covered.
How Long Does Hardy Plank Siding Last
A vinyl siding investment is a financial investment, whereas a fiberglass siding investment lasts longer. As a result, you should reconsider this significant decision as soon as possible, and you should be able to enjoy this outstanding siding for up to 50 years.
Hardie Plank: A Long-term Solution For Your Homes Exterior Protection
Installing hardie plank is an excellent long-term solution for protecting your homes exterior from damaging weather. You can keep your home looking great for many years to come by performing a few minor maintenance tasks each year.
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Hardieshingle Fiber Cement Shingled Siding
HardieShingle siding has the same warm, authentic look as cedar shingles, yet it resists rotting, cracking and splitting. It’s beautiful as a primary siding or as a complement to other styles of James Hardie siding.
Our shingle siding panels come in a variety of decorative edges, and expedite installation when used in larger areas. HardieShingle individual siding shingles come in a selection of widths for an authentic handcrafted look and are also ideal for smaller coverage areas. James Hardie fiber cement shingle siding products are available with our strongest warranty ever.
HardieShingle siding is protected by a 30-year nonprorated, transferable, limited warranty. HardieShingle with ColorPlus® Technology not only offers the durability and lower maintenance you expect from all James Hardie siding products, but it also creates an exceptionally beautiful, authentic cedar look and feel for your home.
Product Information
What Makes James Hardie And Lp Smartside So Popular In The Siding Market
James Hardie and LP SmartSide siding are the go-to siding materials for many homeowners, but why these two brands? The answer, for most people, boils down to two words: durability and reliability.
James Hardie siding has gained a loyal base of contractors and homeowners who find that the material will stand up to mold, rain, freezing temperatures and pests. Its one of the most sought-after non-wood or vinyl siding alternatives. It is designed to hold up to punishing ultraviolet light and it wont rot, split, warp or curl.
LP SmartSide has gained an equally loyal fanbase for similar reasons, plus it is lighter and easier to install than James Hardie. There are fewer seams in SmartSide trim and lap siding and its really impact resistant. Its made of wood, so its a renewable source of material, plus it has a desired wood appearance that many homeowners cherish.
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What Is James Hardie Siding
To start with the basics, Hardie siding is fiber cement, a product developed by James Hardie over 30 years ago. Fiber cement is made of three components: cement, sand, and cellulose fiber from plant materials. The materials are dyed and formed into boards that, as well get to later, can have a variety of finished appearances. Fiber cement siding is environmentally friendly, noncombustible, and a great insulation material. If your home has a fireplace, having James Hardie siding could save your familys life in the event that you have a house firea circumstance no one wants to imagine, of course, but needs to be prepared for.
Now in its 130th year of business, James Hardie spends $20 million annually on research and development to continually craft its superior fiber cement superior siding, and its been awarded many times over. In May of 2013, the company received the Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute for its HardiePlank lap siding.
The accolade was granted following the stringent testing of the institutes scientists, researchers, and engineers, and that testing, of course, confirmed the rigorous testing that James Hardie conducts on all its products to make sure that its customers are getting only the best possible siding. In 2015, the users of Angies List agreed: The company was voted the number one siding and trim manufacturer.
Comparison Of James Hardie And Lp Smartside
Materials
James Hardie siding is made from a combination of cement materials and cellulose fibers. Cellulose fiber is made with ethers or esters of cellulose, which comes from plants, leaves, wood and bark.
The material also includes fly ash. However, the siding is 90 percent sand and cement.
LP SmartSide siding is made from wood strands coated with wax. The strands are also bonded with resin and other binders.
Zinc borate is added to the material for extra protection against insects and to prevent rot.
Appearance
James Hardie produces a variety of styles to fit many different tastes.
- HardieShingle siding has the appearance of cedar shingles.
- HardiePlank siding is the most popular and comes in a smooth finish or textured to mimic wood.
- HardiPanel is vertical siding with a rustic board-and-batten appearance.
- The Aspyre Collection includes lap siding made of extra thick boards for deeper shadows. This collection also includes panel systems for a modern look.
LP SmartSide makes lap siding, panels and vertical siding, shingles and shakes.
The lap siding includes a cedar texture, which has the appearance of cedar wood colonial beaded, which is an authentic American style of siding with drip lines that cast crisp shadows and comes in a smooth or sequoia texture and two types of bold profile siding, which has a shiplap edge appearance.
CostMaintenance
Wash down every 6 to 12 months to remove dirt and debris. Use water, soft brush or cloth.
Warranties
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Homes Appearance Transformation With Lp Smartside Products
Lap siding, shakes and shingles, panel and vertical siding, as well as the soffit, trim and fascia are all part of the package in LP SmartSides product offering. You can choose the style and color to get the look you want to transform the look of your home.
Choose lap siding in a cedar texture for that authentic wood look. Lap siding also comes in a colonial beaded selection if you want that smooth and traditional look of the early American homes. You can also upgrade to bold profiles for extra depth. Or, choose the smooth finished lap siding for a more traditional look.
Shakes and shingles are also an option if you want a more rustic aesthetic. Choose the cedar texture offered in staggered or straight edges for a detailed wood appearance, or go with a more modern perfection shingle texture, which features fine sawn wood texture with no knots.
LP SmartSide also offers panels in a cedar texture with shiplap edges stucco texture for the earthy, hand-troweled effect reverse board & batten style for the rustics and cross-sawn texture or go with a smooth finish featuring shiplap edges for easy installation.
Finally, LP SmartSide offers vertical siding for the charming style and stylish appearance closely related to board & batten. Vertical panels are 16 in. by 16 ft.
Hardieshingle Shigle Panel Siding
HardieShingle® Siding has the same warm, authentic look of cedar shingles, but unlike wood shingles, it resists rotting, curling, warping and splitting. James Hardie shingle panel siding come in a variety of decorative edges, such as Straight Edge, Staggered Edge and Half Round. Ideal for smaller coverage areas, HardieShingle® individual shingles come in a variety of widths for an authentic handcrafted look. James Hardie shingle siding products are available with a Non-Prorated 30 year transferable limited warranty.
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How Much Does James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding Cost To Install
Many factors go in to determining how much it will cost to install James Hardie siding, the most significant of which is the size of your home.
The type of Hardie siding you choose will also influence the cost, but as a general estimate, a home requiring 1,500 square foot of siding home will cost between $11,250 and $19,500, which includes material and labor.
Is Fiber Cement Siding A Good Choice
For fantastic looks and durability, fiber cement siding is a good option for half the price of brick or stone. Despite the fact that it requires heavy-duty tools to cut and install, this is one of the more DIY-friendly siding options. It comes pre-painted in non-faded colors or can be painted to match your décor.
Vinyl Siding Cost Savings May Not Improve Home Resale Value
Whats better, fiber cement siding or recycled concrete siding? Because vinyl siding can be installed more quickly, both the cost of the product and labor are significantly reduced when compared to fiber-cement siding. Despite these costs, any savings may be lost in the sale of your home: In terms of resale value, it is preferable to use HardiePlank. It is the most durable and weatherproof type of siding, and it can last up to 50 years, but it is more expensive to install.
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Hardieplank Lap Siding Installation
Hardieplank lap siding installation is a relatively simple process that can be completed by most do-it-yourselfers. The first step is to measure the area to be covered and cut the Hardieplank siding to size. Next, the siding is installed over a moisture barrier, such as Tyvek, and secured to the wall with nails or screws. Finally, the seams between the pieces of siding are sealed with caulk or another sealant.
Comparison Of Pros And Cons James Hardie & Lp Smartside
There are so many glowing reviews about each of these products that it can be difficult to ascertain which one will be the best fit for your siding project. In some respects, the situation with James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide is similar to the rivalries between heavyweights in other industries, like PC or Mac, Coke or Pepsi, Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, McDonalds or Burger King it becomes a choice of personal preference.
To make it easier for you to decide, weve compiled information listing the advantages and disadvantages of each:
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What Is The Process To Install Hardie Siding Correctly
Lets talk about Hardie siding installation, and what the typical installation process is. First, it is crucial to hire a qualified siding contractor who is experienced at installing Hardie siding. Choosing a single contractor over working with multiple subcontractors is the safest and best way to go: Homeowners can be confident that the work will be completed how and when it was promised.
Subcontractors may not show up on time and may use subpar materials and cut other corners. These are issues that you dont need to worry about when working with a single experienced contractor that has been reviewed by others in your community.
The typical installation of HardiePlank siding takes 10-12 days.
According to the HardiePlank Best Practice Guide for HardieZone 5:
Questions To Ask A Siding Contractor Before You Hire Them
Here are 7 questions that you should ask any contractor before deciding to retain the company for a project:
#1: What is the full name and address of your company?You want to make sure that the contractor has an actual place of business, and isnt just working out of a truck. With no physical address, it will be impossible to track the contractor down if he doesnt show up for work.
#2: Does your company carry insurance and is the coverage adequate?You dont want to find yourself in a jam if theres an accident or other issue and your contractor isnt insured. Contractors should provide you with proof of insurance for comprehensive general liability, workmans compensation, and completed operations insurance that protects you in the event of an accident. You should call the insurance company to verify that the policies are still valid.
#3: Is your company licensed? Are you a member of any trade associations?Youll want to see a contractors license, but you should also find out whether hes a member of any relevant trade association. Is he continuing his education to stay aware of industry changes? Best practices?
#4: How long have you been in business?90% of contracting businesses fail within the first 5 years. How long has the contractor youre speaking with been in business? Youll also want to see client references, not only for current projects, but for older ones, which can demonstrate whether a contractors work has stood the test of time.
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