Now that you’ve chosen to move forward with updating the look of your home with the best siding available, it’s time to put together a plan for designing it.  Updating the exterior of your home is an exciting project that involves many choices.

There are many elements to consider before the old siding is torn off. To ensure you get the exterior you’ve always wanted, consider the following:

1. Siding Style

When planning your exterior refresh, you have options with James Hardie products. Their siding selections work well with any architectural style. No matter what style your house is, James Hardie has designs that will complement it.

The classic horizontal boards like HardiePlank® lap siding may be the first siding image that comes to mind. You can opt for HardiePanel® vertical siding, staggered edge, or straight edge HardieShingle® siding.  They come with different siding widths and textures such as smooth, Cedarmill©, or stucco.

• Colonial-style homes are known for their symmetrical structure. They are stately and classic in their architecture. Different James Hardie siding styles can be combined to give a traditional home a modern flair.  Try using HardieShingle on the front of the home, with horizontal Hardie lap siding on the sides and back.
• Craftsman style homes are cozy, one or one-and-a-half-story structures with large front porches. HardieShingles looks great on the peaks and gables, while HardiePlank lap siding can be blended with board-and-batten siding to bring out the Craftsman style’s artistic detail.
• Ranch-style homes are simple in architecture, yet affordable and comfortable. They are typically spacious one-story homes. The many siding looks possible with James Hardie products allow homeowners to customize their home. You can go with a modern farmhouse vibe or a smooth contemporary feel.

James Hardie fiber cement siding is so versatile, it looks great on any home. Whether it be a Tudor, Victorian, Greek Revival, Queen Ann, or Cape Cod style home, James Hardie has a siding style that works perfectly for your needs.

2. Colors

There is no limit when it comes to color palettes with James Hardie siding. Selecting the perfect color for your home’s exterior is more than choosing your favorite color. The color of your siding must work in combination with other architectural details like your roof shingles, trim, landscaping, and surrounding neighborhood.

• Color of Your Roof. The color of your roof plays a huge role in your exterior color choice. A more neutral colored roof can match an array of colors, while a darker roof pairs well with a lighter siding color.
• Landscaping. Your landscape plays a role in your siding color choice as well. Neutral and brown shades fit well with yards that have many trees and bushes.  If your landscape is very colorful, choose exterior colors that will complement it. Bright colors like yellow or green tones might not look the best with abundant greenery everywhere.
• Size of Your Home. A color might look lighter or darker when applied to a home. Keep this in mind when you pick your exterior colors. For large homes, darker colors might be too intense, while lighter colors won’t add enough depth. Finding the right combination of colors for the size of your home is key for a balanced look.
• Your Neighborhood. Pay attention to the homes in your neighborhood. You want your home to stand out, but not be an eyesore. Try to keep the colors of your home in the same color family as the other homes. Some neighborhoods have HOAs with rules about which colors are acceptable for that particular subdivision.  Make sure to check before you change the color of your home.

When considering your overall exterior house colors, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do the surroundings of your house influence your choices? What is the natural setting?
• Does the color go well with the roof, trim, and neighborhood style?
• Will the color help or hinder the eventual sale of the house?
• Is your home in a rural or urban area?
• What is your style? What are you most drawn to?
  • Do you often prefer a trendy and modern home?
  • Is traditional and eclectic more your style?
  • Does the style of your house influence your choices?
• Do you belong to a homeowner’s association that may restrict your options?
• Do you have neighbors you’d like to fit in with but in your style?
• Are you trying to resell the house?

3. Trim 

James Hardie trim boards complement all of their siding options. Again, there are many colors to choose from to go with any style of home. Some colors always remain popular. Below are a few suggestions for siding colors and trim choices that go particularly well with them.

• White Trim: Most shades of blue siding are good options that pair well with white trim. Other colors include greys and greens.
• Black Trim: Black trim can be a great contrast with white siding. It depicts a classic look that is sure to blend with other neighboring houses. If the siding colors are darker shades such as a dark blue, black can work well too.
• Trim & Brick: Beige siding is an earthy tone that goes well with most landscaping. Beige pairs well with both stonework and brick.
• Trim & Stonework: Whether it’s a light or dark gray siding, it will look great with white trim and stonework. Gray siding complements many trim colors.
• Brick: Warm colors like red or brown colored siding go great with brickwork.

4. Location 

James Hardie’s siding is Engineered for Climate®, with performance attributes that take your region’s climate into account. The HardieZone® System breaks down North America with climate-specific product formulations.

For the Midwest region (Missouri and Illinois), the climate corresponds to the HZ5 product zone. HZ5 siding is winter-ready, able to resist shrinking, swelling, and cracking even after years of wet or freezing conditions.

Let Us Help You Design the Look that’s Right for You

You deserve to have a beautiful home that enhances your lifestyle and is protected from wear and tear. Make the look of your home the talk of the neighborhood, while keeping it protected and easy to care for.

At Banner Construction, we understand how overwhelming home improvement projects can be. We strive to make working with us as stress-free as possible.  We put all of our experience to work to give you a certified James Hardie siding installation that you can rely on for many years.