How is James Hardie Siding Superior to Other Brands?

Replacing your home’s siding is no simple or inexpensive project. In many ways, you should rely on an experienced siding contractor when it’s time for siding replacement at your home. One of the most important decisions to make is what type of material you will use. The best contractors usually recommend James Hardie siding since it’s one of the best on the market today. Home siding replacement is a major investment, so we’ve discussed why James Hardie siding is superior to other brands.

Unmatched Durability Compared To Traditional Siding

Many homeowners today are attracted to vinyl siding. While vinyl is not a bad option nationally, it is less than ideal in Florida, Premium vinyl siding with the trim components will not save you much cost if any compared to James Hardie siding, it won’t last nearly as long as James Hardie siding. In Florida vinyl siding has no hurricane engineering or rating. According to FEMA, vinyl siding “should” be able to withstand 110 mph winds, that is only a category 2 hurricane. James Hardie Plank lap siding is approved for installation in areas with wind speeds at 200 mph depending on the installation methods used. Vinyl siding has small vent openings all along the bottom edge of the lap, we find that the Florida wind-driven rain gets in through the vent holes and through the nail holes in the vapor barrier causing more sheathing rot than any other siding used today. With James Hardie siding, the durability is unmatched with the dense fiber cement construction. The materials won’t warp or melt when exposed to extreme temperatures, so you can expect it to look new for much longer than traditional siding. The manufacturer has a 30-year siding warranty and has been around since 1888 to honor that warranty since James Hardie siding is made of concrete composite, it won’t attract insects and is not susceptible to rot. With extreme temperatures, humidity, and weather events in Florida, homeowners in Martin County can have more peace of mind when they opt for James Hardie siding for their homes.

Lower Maintenance

In Florida, traditional wood siding should be painted every 6 years to keep it looking good and to protect it. One of the biggest benefits of James Hardie siding is it’s very low maintenance compared to other siding for homes. Simply wash it once or twice each year to keep it looking fresh and you shouldn’t have to worry about much else for many years. For less maintenance self-cleaning paint can be applied, either way by performing minimal maintenance, your siding will last for decades.

Variety Of Options To Meet Aesthetic Needs

When you opt for Hardie siding installation, you may be surprised at how great it looks and how many options you have. It has a very similar appearance to natural wood and has multiple design options to meet your aesthetic needs. One of the first things people notice about homes is the condition of the siding, so you want it to be attractive and welcoming. With hundreds of color options as well, you can surely find exactly what you’re looking for to turn your vision into a reality. Hardie Board has the look and feel of homes up north plus Florida Realtors love it. Stucco or T-11 siding is not popular up north for the most part so Hardie increases interest, and buyer traffic in the market if it ever comes time to sell your home. 

What Is The True Return on Investment for James Hardie Siding?

According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, homeowners enjoy a return on investment in the area of 83 percent on house siding investments. This ranks among the best home improvement projects for ROI. Such upgrades typically run in the price range of a kitchen remodel. 

More Resistant To Fading ColorPlus® Technology

A big concern homeowners rightfully have about home siding in Florida is the rate at which the colors fade. When the sun is beaming down on your siding for hours at a time, regular paint on wood or vinyl siding can fade quicker than you would like. This can lead to inconsistent colors around your home and the need to repaint more often. These issues are not present with James Hardie siding ColorPlus® Technology. It can withstand the harsh Florida elements much better so your siding color selection will remain consistent for many years with minimal maintenance.

Enhanced Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is important for a couple of reasons. For one, you deserve to love the appearance of your home every time you look at it. Also, if you plan on selling your home any time soon, curb appeal is important. When you have James Hardie siding on your home, it’s instantly more attractive to potential buyers. The return on investment for Hardie panels is significant, so it’s well worth installing them before selling your home. The sheer attractiveness of Hardie siding can boost the curb appeal of your home and make it the most attractive home on the block.

Can James Hardie be installed directly on a block house?

The short answer is yes. Specialty equipment eliminated the need for wood furring strips on a block house to install Hardie siding on. The equipment will not apply the Hardie siding over stucco. If you are thinking about installing Hardie over stucco, it will have to be removed. In some cases, stucco is easily removed. If you see delamination, humps, or multiple cracks, your stucco is already falling off. Patching stucco with stucco in this condition will also fail because the underlying issues that caused the initial failure are difficult to correct. Succo has a one-year warranty from a licensed contractor.  

Is James Hardie Siding Right For You? 

The benefits of James Hardie siding are obvious, but does that mean it’s right for you? Speaking with residential siding contractors can give you peace of mind and help you make the right decision. In most cases, James Hardie siding will be highly recommended by experienced siding installers. The upfront cost is a little higher than traditional wood or vinyl siding, but it will pay for itself with longevity and less maintenance over time.

Work With An Experienced Contractor For Siding Replacement

When you get your siding replaced, you shouldn’t have to worry about doing it again for many years. The material you choose plays a big role in this, as well as the siding contractors you work with. Take the time to interview different contractors to ensure you end up with the right fit. Some contractors will offer lower prices and do subpar work, which can lead to many issues down the road. Do your due diligence on siding products and contractors for the best results.

At db Home Improvements, we want to help create the attractive home you deserve. We serve many areas in Florida, including Martin County, Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Sewalls Point, and Jupiter Island. Since 2006 Our friendly experts are ready to help you choose the best siding for your home and we are happy to start you off with a free consultation. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to get the process started.