Top 5 Myths Debunked About James Hardie Siding

It’s no secret that when it comes to siding installation, homeowners have a lot of options. This is largely thanks to the recent advancements made in the siding industry within the last decade. While standard siding materials such as vinyl or metal siding are still extremely popular, there is a new contender rapidly growing popularity known as fiber cement siding.

James Hardie siding is the largest manufacturer of fiber cement siding products in the country. Thanks to its durability, strength, and beauty, James Hardie has an excellent reputation in the industry for quality. Along with its massive popularity, James Hardie siding has its fair share of myths surrounding it, which can impact customer perception. 

Some of these myths are rooted in how this siding material was made back in the 1980s, while others stem from conflicting customer testimonials. Thanks to research, we have debunked the top five myths concerning fiber cement siding. In this article, our top-rated Chicagoland siding company Pro Home 1 will go over some of the most common myths about James Hardie Siding—the most popular fiber cement siding products used in American home remodeling today. 

1. Fiber Cement Siding Lasts Forever

As they say, nothing lasts forever—and when it comes to your home’s siding materials, it’s the truth. However, top-quality fiber cement materials can last a very long time when properly installed, as they’re strong, durable, and resistant to insects, rodents, moisture and fire—up to 50 years or longer. While that’s certainly a long time, it’s not forever. Eventually, all siding products will deteriorate, but other products will age a lot faster or will require a lot more upkeep to last as long as fiber cement.

2. It Doesn’t Need to Be Repainted

This is a myth that just isn’t true. The reality is that standard paint jobs for this material only lasts 5-7 years depending on inclement weather, sun exposure, and other similar factors. The beauty of this siding is that a 15-year warranty is provided to protect against peeling and chipping of the paint. Regardless of the option you choose, fading will occur so be prepared to invest in repainting at some point.

The good news is that you have options when it comes to the length of time the paint job lasts. These options are as follows:

• Primed: The panels are painted after the installation has completed. This option lets you choose any color scheme you can dream up. However, this is the option that has a shorter lifespan when it comes to fading.

• Pre-Painted: The primer and paint coating is baked onto the panels before installation occurs. This process is what lets owners enjoy a better and longer-lasting finish. It’s estimated that customers can roughly expect an additional ten years with this method. Keep in mind that this option comes with fewer color options, so there is some tradeoff involved.

3. The Siding Contains Asbestos

This myth is rooted in truth but is woefully outdated. It’s true that asbestos was blended into fiber cement siding when the material was still in its infancy. However, as of 1987, this was no longer the case. Not only is today’s fiber cement siding better for the environment, but it’s also safer and non-toxic, too.

4. Too Expensive

Sure, vinyl siding is cheaper, but it’s also not likely to last as long as other options that cost more money. Fiber cement siding will cost more than vinyl, however, it’s actually cheaper than natural wood siding and is on par if not cheaper than other heavy materials.

5. Maintenance Required

Aside from the occasional repainting requirements, fiber cement won’t need much maintenance to stay strong and beautiful. In fact, it boasts one of the lowest overall maintenance requirements across all siding options. It also comes with an excellent warranty that will give any owner peace of mind should something happen to go wrong with the siding in the future.

Choose Fiber Cement Siding with Pro Home 1

As your Chicagoland siding company, we know that the home is the single greatest investment for our customers. That’s why we strive to provide the highest rated products and top-of-the-line services to ensure your home looks and functions at its very best. 

To that end, we proudly offer a large range of James Hardie siding products and state-of-the-art siding installation work. Each James Hardie siding plank is designed for top performance, and comes prepared with the following characteristics and technology to protect your home:

• Engineered for Perfect Climate Resistance
• ColorPlus® Technology to Resist Fading
• Impressive Durability
• Moisture and Rot Resistance
• Flame-Resistant Fireproof Technology