Choosing the right siding for your home is an important decision when building or remodeling. You’ll see it every time you come home. So, you’ll want to make sure your siding is engineered to stand up beautifully, whatever the elements. To reach the best decision, you should carefully consider your options. To help you make your choice, here’s how wood siding compares to Hardie® fiber cement siding.
Some homeowners are drawn to wood for its visual appearance. Hardie® siding is available in a texture that has the classic, natural appearance of cedar, while providing you with more benefits. Unlike wood, James Hardie fiber cement is specifically formulated to better resist the damaging effects of sun, moisture, extreme temperatures, pests, and fire.
If you are searching for timeless beauty and superior home exterior protection, Hardie® fiber cement siding has many advantages over wood siding:
Weather
HARDIE® FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Resists weather damage and keeps its shape for a much longer time, which means less maintenance to worry about year after year.
WOOD SIDING
May split or crack over time.
Climate
HARDIE® FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Engineered for Climate® to withstand wet or freezing conditions in the North and hot, humid conditions and blistering sun in the South. Resists shrinking and swelling in the face of shifting heat and humidity, which leads to better paint and finish adhesion.
WOOD SIDING
Experiences swelling or edge checking, which can occur in wood-based products as they expand and contract due to changes in climate conditions.
Moisture
HARDIE® FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Uniquely formulated to resist moisture damage. Water resistant to protect against swelling, warping and cracking; also resists mold damage.
WOOD SIDING
Shrinks and swells when exposed to moisture, which over time can cause paint to crack and peel. Can require more frequent upkeep to maintain appearance.
Sun Exposure & Color Performance
HARDIE® FIBER CEMENT SIDING
James Hardie ColorPlus® Technology is specifically engineered to help resist damaging UV rays, and to help keep siding color vibrant longer. Our finish was developed especially for James Hardie's range of fiber cement siding and we apply multiple coats, with each layer baked on in a closely controlled factory environment to ensure consistent coverage.
WOOD SIDING
Field applied paint on wood siding can crack, peel or lose adhesion faster than prefinished Hardie® fiber cement products with ColorPlus® Technology.
Fire
HARDIE® FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Won’t burn. Recognized by fire departments nationwide.*
*Hardie® siding complies with ASTM E136 as a noncombustible cladding and is recognized by fire departments across the U.S. including Marietta, GA, Flagstaff, AZ and Orange County, CA. Fiber cement fire resistance does not extend to applied paints or coatings, which may be damaged or char when exposed to flames.
WOOD SIDING
Will burn when exposed to a significant source of heat or flame.
Pests
HARDIE® FIBER CEMENT SIDING
Won’t be eaten by woodpeckers, termites and other pests.
WOOD SIDING
Can be pecked by birds and devoured by insects such as termites. More susceptible to damage caused by these and other pests.
Wood siding is nice for old-fashioned charm, but why settle for wood when you can get a similar aesthetic, with modern, innovative benefits from Hardie® fiber cement siding. It’s a lasting, beautiful way to protect your home.
