I received this comment on James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding from Tom yesterday;
Been reading your blog. I really like it. I know you live in Chappaqua and you are a fan of fiber cement. I would like to hear your opinion about replacing wood clapboard siding with Hardie or building with Hardie in more affluent areas in Westchester, i.e. Chappaqua, Scarsdale etc, where there have been certain ’standards’ in place for years. Is there pushback?
Thanks for the comment Tom.
We have specified Hardie fiber cement siding products on several homes throughout Westchester County and have several more projects on the boards slated for Hardie siding.
For about a year it has been our standard spec for clapboard siding. The cost is comparable to cedar and it comes with a 50 year warranty (cedar doesn’t). It’s available with ColorPlus pre-finished coating in many popular colors. The ColorPlus coating has a 15 year warranty, so essentially its a low maintenance material as well.
The true test with any material is how it looks when its installed, and that is where this product really shines. When specified in the smooth texture (I’m not so keen on fake wood textures), it is virtually impossible to tell it apart from the more “traditional” cedar siding… even close up. The only way to determine that it is not wood, is to give it a knock with your knuckles.
And to top off all the benefits of Hardie siding… it’s green too.
So, with all that going for it, it’s a “no-brainer” for our standard clapboard spec.
The Hardie shingle siding is a bit different. Although I still like it and specify it, my opinion is that the perfect consistency of the shingle spacing gives it away as a fake (if you know what cedar is suppose to look like). Most people are still fooled and all the other benefits listed above keep it on our materials list.
As for acceptance in the affluent towns of Westchester… we have had zero push back. If they cannot see the difference, how can they complain?
Keep an eye out for Hardie’s newest siding product, Artisan architectural grade siding (pictured above). It is currently available in the Atlanta metro region only, but I’m sure it’s heading our way soon. It has all the benefits of their standard siding with a heavier profile and crisper edges. It looks fabulous!
Mark,
My 2 cents. I think you are spot on. The Antique Boat Museum in Calyton NY looks good using fibre cement siding. I am not sure that it is Hardie though. Think of how many trees didn’t have to be cut down. Also I think most of the cedar is imported from Canada.
bob
Thanks for the detailed explanation Mark. I am on your side with the green and low maintanence. The only counterpoint I have received is from someone with a large wraparound deck on their home. They just felt people would be too close to it most of the time. Thx again.
I am also specifying Fiber Cement Siding on several of our residential projects and some commercial work. The push-back has come mostly from builders not being versed in FCS. This is mainly due to the cement fiber content during cutting and the fear of damaging the product during installation. Several suppliers have provided approved installer lists, however the additional cost of installation has prevented home owners from accepting the product. What else can be done? I think this blog is on the right track in opening up a discussion.
Experts:
Oceanfront and riverfront applications in Maryland? Please compare Certain-Teed high-end vinyl siding products to Hardie FibreCement or other “microposites” on the market? Without regard to costs, which products excel as coastal applications?
Dean:
Being located in Westchester County, we don’t have many waterfront projects, but I can tell you that I have yet to find vinyl siding that I would spec.
Hardie siding products do come with a 30+ year warranty, and I don’t think they limit their coverage to inland projects.
Mark
Rui:
Hardie does caution to only cut the material in well ventilated areas due to the silica saw dust created when cutting.
I have also heard some groaning from contractors on the weight of the product and the need for a two-person installation.
Mark
Hello,
I just built a house with Hardie Shingle Siding.
I want it to look more like real shingle siding.
Do you have any suggestions on a good paint color to make it look like a weathered shingle?
Thanks.
Mary Kay:
From Ben Moore, what do you think about Sea Pine (AC-17), Smokey Mountain (AC-18) or Galveston Gray (AC-27)? I just sent these colors to a client looking for colors for her cedar siding. I like ‘em all.
The “weathered” part of your request is more difficult. Weathered shingles are very inconsistent in their shading. Hardie siding is a lot of things, but inconsistent, its not.
Mark
Some great conversations going on. Whether the property in inland or on the ocean hardie gives it a 50 yr product warranty in addition to the 15 year finish warranty. As for the product being to close to look at in a wrap around porch, if you actuall put a professional paint coating on top, or even have the pre primed product installed, it will look as clsoe to wood as possible and be very attractive to look at. Might I suggest using a flat finish on the clapboards. It will give it nice richness. The silca dust is a problem for some, but certainteed fibe cement siding doesn’t use silcai they use 30% post industrial recycled material in place of the silca making it a more green option as well. They also have stained looking fiber cement siding as well, that some feel looks very sharp. to learn more about this siding follow this link. fiber cement siding and by the way Hardie beats Cedar all day long for durability.