James Hardie: Most Frequently Asked Questions
James Hardie Industries is a leader in the $6,229 million fiber cement siding industry.
That’s because these exterior siding options offer a durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for homes in South Carolina. Hardie board siding is impervious to insect attacks, resists inclement weather, and maintains its good looks for years.
Are you curious to find out more about this top siding brand? Keep reading for answers to all your questions about James Hardie siding.
What Is James Hardie Siding Made From?
Hardie board siding comprises a mixture of cement, cellulose fiber, water, and sand combined in the perfect ratio for durability. Proprietary additives add beauty and strength to each piece of Hardie board siding.
The Hardie Board collection includes:
- HardiePlank® lap siding
- HardiePanel® vertical siding
- HardieTrim® boards
- HardieShingle® siding
Each of these offers the characteristic durability, aesthetic appeal, and sustainable aspects of this leading brand.
How Do You Maintain Hardie Board Siding?
James Hardie siding can last for up to 30 years with very little maintenance. It’s formulated to absorb paint more readily than wood, so you’ll only need to repaint it every 10 to 20 years.
You can choose from two finish options with this type of siding, namely:
- Pre-primed boards that you paint after installation
- Baked-on color
You can pressure wash your Hardie Board siding with a low-pressure hose and a soft brush. It does not absorb moisture and won’t swell when exposed to heavy rain.
You won’t need to wash your siding more than once every 6 months.
How Long Is the Warranty on Hardie Board Siding?
All James Hardie siding comes with a 30-year non-prorated warranty from the date of purchase. The company will replace or reimburse you for all substandard boards, provided you’ve taken adequate care of the product.
Will James Hardie Siding Suit My Home’s Style?
James Hardie siding is a versatile product that suits most South Carolina homes.
It’s easy for contractors to match your home’s rustic farmhouse aesthetic with a rustic board-and-batten look using Hardie Board siding.
If your home has a contemporary style, the James Hardie Aspyre Collection is the perfect match, providing you with creative choices from thick patterned boards to smooth geometric ones.
When you install James Hardie siding, you can also choose from a variety of trims to suit your style. These include wood, engineered wood, aluminum, vinyl, and HardieTrim®.
How Does the Installation Process Work?
The first step in your James Hardie installation involves finding a preferred contractor to do the work for you. After that, the installation process involves just 4 simple steps:
Determining Your Needs
You call your contractor to discuss what you need and get an estimate of the costs involved. You’ll select your siding style, colors, and trim, and your contractor will advise you on the permitting process for your area.
This is a good opportunity to discuss any further questions you might have before you start your project.
Completing the Paperwork
Once you’ve made all these important decisions, your contractor will compile a project proposal outlining all the details. The best contractors can provide you with a 3D representation of what your home will look like afterward.
They’ll schedule a meeting to discuss what’s on offer, go through the product information with you, and provide an estimated timeline.
When you’re happy with all the finer details, you’ll sign the contract, and your contractor will start work on your home on the agreed date.
Construction Phase
Your contractor will remove the old siding from your home, and replace it with new James Hardie siding according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Depending on the size of your home, this should take a week or two.
A support team will keep you up to date with the progress of your project via progress reports and regular check-ins.
Final Walk Through
We are checking quality throughout the project, but as your project reaches completion, we perform a final check to ensure the quality of the workmanship on your siding. Afterward, they’ll invite you to perform a final walkthrough to ensure you’re happy with the job.
How Can I Finance My James Hardie Siding Installation?
James Hardie siding prices vary depending on your location, but it’s usually more expensive than vinyl siding. It’s cheaper than brick or synthetic stucco, and equal to or less expensive than composite siding.
That said, replacing your home siding is always a major expense, so it’s good to know you don’t need to pay for it all upfront. You can apply for a home improvement loan, HELOC, or home equity loan, or use a credit card to pay for your installation.
Alternatively, you can finance your James Hardie siding for under $300 a month by shopping around for special offers and discounts.
What Is a Preferred Contractor?
James Hardie Industries does the legwork for you when it comes to finding a reputable and reliable contractor. Their preferred contractor accreditation means they’ve vetted and trained their installation specialists for your peace of mind.
To qualify for this esteemed status, contractors must:
- Agree to random installation audits by James Hardie
- Stick to siding installation best practices
- Adopt a professional approach to sales
- Maintain good BBB ratings
- Have an excellent credit report
The manufacturer regularly recognizes those contractors who contribute to the good name of the product with the ”Elite Preferred Contractor” designation.
Among other things, these contractors must maintain a 95% “likely to recommend” status with their customers.
Where Do I Find a Reputable SC Siding Contractor?
Contract Exteriors is the leading James Hardie siding contractor in Charleston and Myrtle Beach.
We have completed the most James Hardie siding replacement projects in SC since 2012. So, you can rest assured we’ve got abundant experience in this field.Get in touch if you have any more questions that go beyond these James Hardie FAQs, and let’s chat about your siding replacement options.
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Outstanding Reviews
Brooks was my contractor on the project. He was awesome! He was there with me every step of the way! Eugenia was very helpful in the office and assisted me in getting the HOA approval. Jason explained the warranty process and even brought me a cake!
Everyone we came in contact with was very cooperative and easy to work with. It was a pleasant experience from the first online chat. They listened to us and helped solve any issues we were concerned about
Wow, this company goes above and beyond. From the very first reach out to the very last interaction once the job was completed. Everything was done first class. The quality of work, the constant communication and level of service was like nothing I’ve ever experienced with any contractor. I priced out a couple different contractors compared to contractor exteriors and I will tell you I would have paid more just to have this experience with them. I had Jonathan as my project manager and he was exceptional.
Very happy with our new Timbetech front porch deck and steps with AZEK facia and risers. Everyone at CE was responsive and very professional explaining every step in detail! We have several homeowners in our community who have already asked for contact info info. Jonathan is a very good project manager and ensured we were satisfied with the quality, cleanliness, and appearance of our new front porch! Thank you!
In choosing a company to replace our deck, we researched and decided to use Contract Exteriors. We definitely made the right choice. We are very pleased with the results. Special thanks to Brooks, our Project Manager, who kept us updated and informed everyday.
Contract Exteriors did a great job for me. The entire group was very responsive, and my deck project turned out fantastic. My project, as all projects, had some surprises that were handled professionally and promptly. Randy, Brooks, and the office staff were great throughout the process. They proactively kept me informed on the status of the project. I never had to call twice to get a question answered or ask for an accommodation.
We couldn't be happier with contract exteriors and the job they did. Our beach house looks brand new with the new Hardie board and white trim. EVERYONE was friendly, well mannered, professional, and was always ready to answer any questions that we had. Miguel and his crew did an excellent job. Brooks the project manager was wonderful, and also Chad who helped us from the very beginning, also the girls in the office. We would not hesitate to use them again.
This company did an amazing job on my siding project. From start to finish they were very professional, helpful, and on time. Eugenia clearly communicated the whole process to me before they even started the project and Brooks was always available to answer my questions. He even came and ensured the cleanup was perfect and finished up the exterior lighting. Even after the project was finished this company ensured communicated to ensure everything was perfect. Super pleased. Thank you!
Everything about this group was extremely professional. Renovations can be challenging but they carefully made sure that their products and our original structures fit together seamlessly. We are truly looking forward to our new elegant deck that will be essentially maintenance free for many, many years. We will definitely use this company for future projects.
Matt Kuzdrall made our whole experience of purchasing two new roofs for our buildings at the Children's Recovery Center so easy. Matt was professional and had all the answers to any questions we had. He has followed up since our new roofs have been installed to make sure everything is still great. Matt is awesome and I would recommend him to anyone I know looking for a new roof.
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