There are many reasons to choose James Hardie fiber cement siding over
vinyl, the first of which is appearance. James Hardie siding is over five times thicker than vinyl, allowing for deeper grooves and a more authentic wood-grain effect. The result is more elegant than vinyl (which is plastic), particularly on a historic home.
Then comes function. Vinyl melts easily in a fire (or even from the reflection of the sun off Low-E glass windows); James Hardie products are noncombustible. Vinyl may crack and warp from the elements; James Hardie products are more durable and resist warping, sagging and melting.