A Project Manager’s Honest Review of James Hardie Siding

If you’re a homeowner looking at redoing your home’s siding, you’ve probably scoured the internet looking for opinions on anything home renovation.

We understand. It’s why at Pacific Exteriors, we prioritize clarity and transparency above all else. It’s why we engage with our team on all levels—from the contractors working on the job site to the project coordinators in the office, we all want to embody this message.

For this article, we’ve invited one of our experienced project managers, Amador, to explain why in over 20 years of working within the market, James Hardie is the most reliable siding option available on the market.

From price to durability, to even cosmetic decisions like color, James Hardie outclasses their competitors. And according to Amador, who has over twenty years of hands-on experience, it’s not hard to see why.

So let’s jump right in. What sets James Hardie apart?

Why is James Hardie so Special?

HANNAH: Tell me about James Hardie! I know some stuff from looking it up online, but want to know your real thoughts on the material.

AMADOR: James Hardie fiber cement siding is the most durable siding option available on the market that comes at an affordable price point. We always recommend it because we know their product lines are reliable and consistent.

HANNAH: That makes sense; we recommend it a lot so customers end up using it a lot. After that initial discussion, how many of our projects end up being James Hardie?

AMADOR: It’s on most of our siding projects. 8 out of 10 projects use James Hardie siding. The last two usually choose metal siding for aesthetic or maintenance purposes.

Caption: beautiful home in Seattle with refinished James Hardie siding.

Vinyl and Metal Siding vs. James Hardie Fiber Cement

HANNAH: James Hardie sounds reliable. Like, I knew it was reliable already but your telling me is making it moreso. It makes me wonder why homeowners choose vinyl siding over fiber cement siding, costs aside.

AMADOR: Well, a lot of the time it’s repairs or because that’s what they already have on the house. While we’re happy to help with repairing or replacing your home’s vinyl siding repairs, many of our estimators will prefer and prioritize James Hardie fiber cement siding due to its increased durability and longevity.

It’s also much easier to install vinyl siding as opposed to fiber cement. It’s also flimsier as well. All you need to install vinyl is your toolbelt, a good hammer, and some strong tin snips.

However, to install Hardie, you need compressors, saws, nail guns, etc. As a material, it also requires a lot more measuring and technical prowess. Vinyl being easier to install says a lot about its durability though; if it’s very easy to install, it’s even easier to take off in the case of a windstorm. Its longevity pales in comparison to James Hardie fiber cement siding.

HANNAH: And how does metal siding compare to James Hardie fiber cement?

AMADOR: Maintenance, cleaning, lifespan—everything lasts longer with metal siding, but at nearly triple the cost.

Metal siding installation is also more difficult to install than Hardie, and the price reflects that. It immediately calls for different tools and methods to cut and install—the required insulation is different too.

What Homeowners Should Know About James Hardie Siding

What homeowners and installers worry about are different—and they should be. Homeowners should prioritize project schedule, color options, and materials.

Installers, on the other hand, need to worry about things that could affect the homeowner, like scheduling. Even compared to other companies in the industry, James Hardie is incredibly reliable on the backend portion of siding installation.

HANNAH: Knowing that what homeowners and installers need to prioritize between siding is an obvious first step. But what does James Hardie actually function like for installers?

AMADOR: Installation is a breeze with James Hardie. Straight from the manufacturer, James Hardie panels come in 12 feet by 7-inch pieces. We install it piece by piece.

For areas around your home that require specially sized pieces, we have a cutting station on site that allows us to carve out exactly what your home needs. This ensures every piece fits your house perfectly and (in the case of any mistakes) we can edit on the spot.

After the pieces are measured and cut to size, we use a pneumatic nail gun to keep it firmly in place.

HANNAH: Are there any supplier problems with James Hardie?

AMADOR: James Hardie very rarely has supplier problems for us at the Seattle location of Pacific Exteriors .

There’s a manufacturer in Tacoma that produces all our Primed planks, and ColorPlus is manufactured in Arizona. Everything is based on the West Coast, which means we don’t struggle with supply issues.  

However, certain colors on the James Hardie website are region-locked so it’s a good idea to check with your estimator or project manager on whether the color is available.

In Atlanta, Hardie production happens in Plant City, Florida, and South Carolina.

HANNAH: How often do we reside homes with James Hardie siding? I ask because for how amazing of a product is, I would expect to not really need touch ups or replacements, at least in this lifetime.

AMADOR: You’re on the right track for sure. The only time we’re called out to reside homes with James Hardie siding is because of installer error. One of the biggest errors we see is incorrectly applying cement tape to keep water from entering the layers behind the siding.

HANNAH: What are some other installer errors?

AMADOR: If the siding edges that overlap with doors and windows aren’t properly sealed up, it causes massive water damage and reduces the efficacy of the tape.

With poor installation, the tape loses stickiness much faster, letting the water in. You can’t repair sticky tape either; it requires a full siding and trim teardown.

HANNAH: So if the sticky tape requires a good install, what can homeowners do to help prevent damage and elongate the life of their siding?

AMADOR: What homeowners can do to prevent water damage is do a check up on all your caulking every two years. Check the edges of your siding, siding to trim, and trim to window to ensure none of your caulking is dried.

Keeping up with caulking lifespan will help your siding outlast the weather, especially in the rainy Pacific Northwest. You can buy caulking at any home improvement store.

HANNAH: Honestly, after chatting with you, I understand why the PMs always push for Hardie. Are there any actual drawbacks to it?

AMADOR: I mean, for homeowners, not really. I would say that the biggest drawback with James Hardie is the limitations and guidelines around installation. Houses must have a foundation to install James Hardie siding. So mobile homes are limited to vinyl siding.

But overall, it’s a really great product. I would stick with James Hardie for my own home because it’s just that good.

HANNAH: Anything else?

AMADOR: Oh, and during cutting, it can get dusty.

HANNAH: I bet homeowners aren’t happy about that.

AMADOR: It can get frustrating for them at first, but lots of homeowners get used to it—plus we always hose down our work site afterwards to remove the dust debris. While we have staff are on the job site, they wear masks too, especially when cutting the material.

Is James Hardie the Best for Color Options?

HANNAH: Color is what comes to mind first for many homeowners, and James Hardie doesn’t disappoint with the massive variety available. What are the color options from James Hardie like?

AMADOR: There’s a massive variety of just pre-colored panels. They have different collections that satisfy all sorts of homeowners.

If you want more unique colors, check out the James Hardie Dream Collection. While it can add a bit of lead time and extra cost, it’s worth it for some homeowners for the unique color options. Don’t be afraid to be different!

HANNAH: I’m going to look up the Dream Collection as soon as we’re done here. But more on color sampling: how accurate are the samples we give homeowners? Are they really accurate?

AMADOR: 99.9%. The sample kits we send out are just a mini version of the real siding on your house, as we cut it down into smaller pieces to send to interested homeowners.

While printed pamphlets are a good place to start, they can have a lot of color variation due to printers and ink. The free siding sample kits from Pacific Exteriors however, are the exact same product we put on your home.

Here’s an example of our siding samples (below) and a full plank of James Hardie ColorPlus® siding in aged pewter. Disclaimer: the color will look different on all screens, but in the picture you can tell that the sample and the plank are the exact same color.

This means that when you get a sample color, you know what the siding of your home can and will look like.

What if the Color Looks Wrong During Installation?

HANNAH: Do homeowners ever get nervous once the project starts? Like, regret or anxiety about the color they chose?

AMADOR: It happens sometimes, maybe 1 in 10 projects? But because we advocate so strongly for siding samples beforehand, it’s not often.

It still happens though. Sometimes clients will open the pallet of siding and be stressed. With these homeowners, we hear a lot of “it isn’t the same color as I chose!” but it is, and after we start installing it, they can see it too.

Another thing to keep in mind is that on paper, the colors all look similar. But there are so many, and everything looks different when put on a house and viewed in different lighting conditions.

HANNAH: This is all helpful! I’m learning a lot: proof that Google can’t teach you everything. What’s your personal favorite James Hardie color?

AMADOR: My favorite is the James Hardie ColorPlus® panels in the color gray slate with Arctic white trim. It’s a very classic look with a modern twist; you can never go wrong with this pairing.

Caption: Our exterior visualization tool with gray slate siding and Arctic white trim.

HANNAH: I want to play a bit of devil’s advocate—do you have any colors you don’t like?

AMADOR: There was one customer who wanted his home to complement the forest and surrounding nature. He lived in a heavily wooded area, so lots of greens and browns.

I suggested Timber Bark or Khaki Brown to bring out the wood bark, but he decided to go green instead. With brown trim. It really reminded me of military camouflage gear… but he was happy and loved it.

Affordability, Consistency, and Options are What Sets James Hardie Apart

There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to deciding what “the best” is.

But for us here at Pacific Exteriors, it comes from what our employees say with their years of hands-on experience working with it.

That’s why we comfortably say that James Hardie is the best option for many homeowners out there. From being the best value, most consistent, and having a massive array of color options, it’s a solid choice we feel good about installing on your home.

If you’re interested in a personal estimate custom to your home, fill out the form and we’ll schedule one with you today!