James Hardie Siding Advantages

As one of the most exposed features of your house, your choice of siding has a huge impact on its energy efficiency, noise insulation, and weather resistance. Just because your exterior siding has to be incredibly tough, however, doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish too.

James Hardie fiber cement siding is a product that lasts, comes in a wide variety of textures and colors, and is affordable. For customized elegance combined with unmatched durability, the best choice is James Hardie siding.

When it comes to James Hardie fiber cement siding, there is a long list of benefits for every homeowner. Here’s why Hardie siding outperforms common alternatives like vinyl and wood:

• Longevity: JH fiber cement siding is completely rot- and insect-resistant and can even handle the salt spray from the ocean. This material is so strong and reliable that it comes with a 30-year warranty against warping, rotting, cracking, and other common types of damage.
• Appearance: HardiePlank siding mimics the look and feel of real wood, while at the same time eliminating the heavy-duty upkeep and high price tag. It can be made to mimic wood lap boards, cedar shingles, and wood shake siding. 
  
  Color options are virtually unlimited. You have the option to match any home decor or architecture. These baked on colors are accompanied by a 15-year warranty on the finish.
• Fire Resistance: James Hardie fiber cement siding is 90 percent sand and cement which makes it fire-resistant.  Unlike vinyl, which will melt or burn with enough heat, Hardie siding is non-combustible and fire rated. Insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who have fiber cement siding.
• Storm Resistance: James Hardie siding is thicker than even the premium lines of most other vinyl siding companies to offer greater impact and wind resistance. Whether you’re looking for a siding material that can withstand the hurricane winds or one that can fend off hailstorms without sustaining damage, fiber cement siding is a proven commodity in the weather department.

It’s not hard to understand why James Hardie fiber cement siding is the most popular brand among homeowners in the U.S. Not only is fiber cement siding almost indestructible; it’s easy to clean and cheaper to maintain than other siding materials.

Caring for Your James Hardie Siding

Cleaning and maintaining the exterior of your home is an important part of sustaining its beauty and value. Proper care of your James Hardie siding will not only ensure that its beauty will last for years, but that your warranty will last for years. Specific care and maintenance of your siding will depend on your geographic location, the exposure of the building, and whether your product is a prime or ColorPlus product.

Even though James Hardie fiber cement siding is a low-maintenance siding option it still needs proper maintenance so that it lasts as long as possible. Here’s how you can maintain it properly to save money in repairs or replacement.

1. Washing

In general, cleaning is recommended to remove dirt, dust, chalking, oil, grease, organic contaminants, or mold that may build up on the product surface over time.

• Wash down the exterior surfaces of your siding every 6 to 12 months with a garden hose or low-pressure water spray to remove dirt and debris.
• James Hardie Products with ColorPlus Technology can be cleaned using water and a soft brush. For stubborn dirt or stains, a mild detergent and a soft brush may be used.

2. Pressure Washer and Acid Washing Warnings

• High-pressure water blasts and sandblasting may damage the surface of James Hardie fiber cement products. If using a pressure washer, care must be taken to ensure that the water stream does not damage the surface of the siding.
• Low-pressure water spray and a soft non-metal bristle brush are most suitable for cleaning fiber cement products.
• Acid washing can damage the fiber cement surface and is not recommended.

3. Caulking

The caulk is responsible for holding your siding together. It’s a strong type of glue designed to attach the siding to intersections. You should periodically inspect it to see if it is wearing out and be ready to re-caulk it.

• It’s important to reapply caulk when it begins to show signs of wear, as this can help keep moisture from getting into the wall cavity. When the sealant needs replacing, carefully remove existing caulk and replace it with a high quality, paintable latex caulk.
• Caulking areas include, but are not limited to penetrations, flashings, plank and trim connections, and in some cases, between plank joints.
• James Hardie recommends the use of caulks and sealants that remain permanently flexible.

4. Keep Your Gutters Clean

• Remove any debris from your gutters to keep water from running off the roof and hitting your fiber cement siding. Water can pool and spill over, potentially causing dark stains on the exterior.
• Clean out blocked pipes and overflows, as required.
• Remove mold or mildew using a commercial remover.

5. Landscaping, Ground Clearance, and Drainage Slopes

• It is a good practice to keep vegetation such as shrubs, bushes, and small trees trimmed back and away from the home and siding. This will also help to ensure that sprinkler systems do not saturate areas near the building.
• Ensure required external ground clearances and drainage slopes are maintained.
• Do not fill landscaping up to the siding.

6. Repainting

James Hardie fiber cement siding is available pre-painted. This option can last up to 15 years before fading. Others, especially those with custom colors, won’t have the same longevity.

Before repainting, consider the following:

• You can refresh the look of James Hardie ColorPlus products by washing down dirt and debris from the siding.
• Repainting over the top of James Hardie ColorPlus® surface before the 15-year limited ColorPlus warranty is expired will void the finish warranty.
• ColorPlus Touch Up is used to cover nicks, scrapes, and nail holes that may occur during installation. ColorPlus touch-up comes in bottles tailored to be edge coaters or touch up pens. If the touch-up area is larger than the size of a dime, the use of touch up is not recommended. Installers are advised to replace the damaged siding with a new section of ColorPlus plank or panel.
• If your James Hardie siding was originally painted after it was installed on your home, then check the original paint manufacturer recommendations for reapplication of paint.
• Do not use a stain on James Hardie Products.
• If you still decide to paint the siding, remove any damaged, chipped, or cracked paint. Before repainting, make sure that the surface area is properly cleaned and prepared.

7. Repair or Patching

• Dents, chips, cracks and other minor surface damage in James Hardie siding and trim products can be filled with cementitious patching compound.
• Loose Siding or Soffit - Re-nail using a properly sized corrosion-resistant fastener. 

8. Use of De-icing Salts

• James Hardie siding products should not come in direct contact with de-icing salts. The salts may prematurely damage the finished look of the siding.
• James Hardie recommends the use of sand or gravel to manage snow loads near the siding.

Why Choose A Preferred James Hardie Contractor for Your Siding Installation?

Although James Hardie fiber cement siding is a superior product in nearly every way, you still need a reliable team of installers to reap the benefits of this innovative design.

At Banner Construction, we don’t just offer James Hardie siding installation services, we’re a James Hardie Preferred Contractor.  For homeowners like you, this manufacturer certification is one of the strongest quality guarantees on the market today. Each project is carried out by our team of factory-trained and background-checked remodelers.

Ready to Upgrade Your Siding?

If you’re thinking about upgrading your brick, wood, stone, or vinyl exterior with fiber cement siding, make sure to ask a professional for expert advice before making any decisions. Only a professional contractor will be able to determine the best material for your home improvement project while guaranteeing their work with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Siding replacement installation isn’t for DIY’ers. It’s a dedicated project that requires skill, experience, and the right kind of high-quality materials for the best possible outcome. To avoid a costly disaster that you’ll wind up regretting for years to come, hire Banner Construction to install it for you.

Siding represents a long-term investment into your home, so shouldn’t you invest wisely? If you’re considering improving the look of your house with brand new siding, feel free to speak to us about using fiber cement siding for your home.

Contact Banner Construction to find out more about the chief benefits of James Hardie fiber cement siding. Call today and request a free consultation.