2026 Green Builder^® Sustainable Products of the Year: Trim-Over^™ Method

For James Hardie, sustainability is a never-ending journey. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we know we have more to do—which is why we’ve set ambitious sustainability goals that align with our purpose of Building a Better Future for All^™.

Creating holistic solutions that are designed to provide resiliency and long-lasting beauty while optimizing installation processes to reduce environmental impacts is all part of James Hardie’s goal to redefine what it means for modern homes to be truly sustainable.

That’s why we’re honored to announce that our Trim-Over^™ Installation Method has been recognized as one of the Green Builder^® Sustainable Products of the Year for 2026. This innovative technique joins our previous winners, including Hardie^® Artisan^® Trim and Hardie^® Artisan^® Lap!

Read on to learn more about the Green Builder^® annual roster of innovative sustainable products and explore why the Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Installation Method is being recognized.

The 2026 Green Builder^® annual award season begins

Green Builder^® Media is North America’s leading green building and sustainable living media source. Established in 2006, Green Builder^® focuses primarily on the U.S. construction industry, providing actionable ideas on how builders and homeowners can construct and remodel more sustainable homes. Popular topics center around net-zero building, energy efficiency, and building science.

The Sustainable Product of the Year selections represent today’s most innovative products that make homes more efficient, resilient, healthy, intelligent, and safe. This year the Green Builder^® editorial team had a specific focus on products that contribute to the new metric in housing, value per square foot.

For returnees on the Green Builder^® Sustainable Products of the Year list, reappearing on the roster of green solutions reinforces company commitments to environmentally friendly actions. The Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Method stands out as a model of sustainable innovation, proving that rethinking the sequence of installation can deliver tangible benefits for the environment, the workforce, and the homeowner.

Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Method recognized for efficiency and waste reduction

The Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Installation Method was designed to minimize waste, reduce resource consumption, and streamline the installation process. Unlike traditional approaches where trim is installed before siding and extensive caulking is required to seal cut edges, the Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Method reverses the sequence. Siding is installed first, followed by trim that beautifully covers the cut edges.

This simple yet powerful shift yields a cascade of sustainability and productivity benefits:

• Material Reduction: By installing siding before trim, you eliminate most caulking — a costly material that must be replaced over time. This reduces the volume of materials consumed per project and lowers the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing and transporting caulk.
• Waste Minimization: The method leverages a highly efficient score-and-snap technique, reducing the need for precise measurements and saw cuts. Installers can stage and install siding continuously, resulting in less offcut waste and fewer errors.
• Energy Efficiency: Faster installation means less time on-site, which translates to reduced energy consumption from tools, vehicles, and jobsite operations. Studies show a 30% average increase* in installation speed compared to traditional butt-to-trim installation.

At its core, this method is backed by the trusted protection of Hardie^® fiber cement. Engineered for long-term performance, our products hold little appeal to pests, resist the effects of moisture, and are noncombustible.**

Durability is Sustainability

James Hardie is redefining what it means for modern homes to be truly sustainable, with products and installation methods that are designed to provide the resiliency and lasting beauty homeowners are looking for.

As we continue in our purpose of Building a Better Future For All^™, James Hardie has set to work on ambitious goals to meet the challenges of a changing world. We are continuously innovating for a low-carbon world using a science-backed approach. By addressing the raw materials that go into our products, our manufacturing processes, and the very methods used to install them on your home, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact.

Our latest recognition by Green Builder^® as part of their Sustainable Products of the Year for 2026 indicates that innovations like the Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Installation Method are on the right track toward a sustainable future. We are encouraging the use of the Hardie^® Trim-Over^™ Method nationwide so these benefits can multiply at scale, turning a single jobsite improvement into a massive sustainability impact.

To discover how James Hardie can help enable greener, smarter building for your next project, explore our sustainable solutions today.

*Standard installation rate determined using a standard wall design. Actual rates vary by wall complexity and crew experience.

**Hardie^® fiber cement products are noncombustible and/or have a Class A fire rating when tested in accordance with ASTM E84. Fiber cement fire resistance does not extend to applied paints or coatings, which may be damaged or char when exposed to flames. The use of noncombustible siding, combined with other fire mitigation measures, may help harden a home against external fire.