When we talk to homeowners about replacing their siding, we often recommend James Hardie siding as the best replacement material. Why get hardie board siding? We love this fiber cement siding option because it’s as beautiful as it is functional. We also love it because it comes in a variety of different styles and colors, so there’s truly something for every homeowner. 

If you’re having trouble deciding which option is right for your home, we’re here to help. Continue reading this siding guide to learn all about the different James Hardie siding options available to you. 

What Is It About Fiber Cement?

Before we get into the different siding options that James Hardie offers, let’s take a quick look at what makes fiber cement siding different from other materials. For starters, fiber cement is made from a mixture of the following ingredients:

1. Portland cement
2. Water
3. Cellulose fibers
4. Sand

James Hardie fiber cement siding also includes certain additives to make the material one of the most durable siding options on the market. Unlike wood and vinyl siding, fiber cement siding is manufactured to withstand damage from moisture, rot, termites, wind, and more. Beyond that, it’s a non-combustible material, so it won’t contribute fuel to a fire. 

Different James Hardie Siding Collections

One of the most exciting aspects of replacing your siding is choosing the design and color. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options from James Hardie siding. When making your selection, you can choose from any of the following collections. 

Hardie™ Architectural Collection

James Hardie’s newest option, the Architectural Collection, is fresh and modern, giving homeowners the chance to reimagine the look of their home’s exterior. Featuring clean lines and contemporary textures, the collection features five different nature-inspired panels and fifteen chic metal trims. 

Hardie® Plank Lap Siding

Considered James Hardie’s classic look, this is the company’s most popular collection. The Plank Lap Siding comes in four finishes such as Cedarmill®, which mimics the look of wood grain, and Smooth, which is sleek and modern. 

Hardie® Shingle Siding

If you want to give your home a cozy, unique look, you’ll love the Shingle siding option. Perfect for cottage-style or Cape Cod homes, the shingle siding works as a complete look or as an accent. For example, you might install the shingle siding on the front-facing wall of your home to make a statement, and then use Plank Lap siding on the other three walls. 

Hardie® Panel Vertical Siding

Give your home a unique look by installing vertical siding instead of horizontal. Like the Plank Lap siding, this option comes in Cedarmill® and Smooth finishes, in addition to a Stucco option. This gives you the look of stucco with the unmatched durability of fiber cement siding. 

What It Means to Hire an Elite Preferred Contractor

Regardless of the siding option you choose, one thing is certain: you need a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor to install it. Why is this so important? 

A James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor has taken the time to go through rigorous qualifications put in place by James Hardie. These qualifications include maintaining compliance with installation best practices, maintaining a satisfactory rating with the BBB, maintaining a satisfactory background check with past clients, and more. 

Here at Carolina Exteriors, we’re proud to be an Elite Preferred Contractor that has completed over 1,000 local James Hardie installation projects. Through all of that, we also maintain a 4.9-star rating and a 97% recommendation rate from our past customers. When you hire our team for your siding replacement, you’re truly getting the best of the best!

Use This Siding Guide to Plan Your Project

Now that you’ve read through this siding guide, we hope you feel more prepared for your James Hardie siding replacement project. When you’re ready to look through examples of the collections we mentioned above, our team is here to help. We’ll set up a free consultation to answer any questions you have and help you choose the best siding option for your home. Contact us today to get started!