So you’re considering new siding for your home. You’ve probably seen vinyl siding and James Hardie siding during your research. But all things considered, which material is right for your Nebraska home?
James Hardie siding and vinyl siding come at very different price points, so you’ll want to compare them thoroughly before making a final decision. Schedule a free quote with Nelson Contracting in Lincoln or Omaha for personalized guidance and expert siding replacement services.
Comparing and Contrasting Vinyl Siding vs. Hardie Board
Vinyl siding is a widely popular option that consists of a strong plastic build. This material can mimic the appearance of wood clapboard or shakes, which is why many home exteriors use vinyl siding as a longer-lasting replacement for wood.
James Hardie is a specialty fiber cement siding brand with impressive longevity and a beautiful, high-class appearance. Fiber cement consists of a blend of cement, cellulose fibers, sand, and water that easily withstands wear and tear.
Comparing the qualities of Hardie siding vs. vinyl siding apples to apples can help you understand the benefits you serve to gain from your chosen material.
Thickness
Vinyl siding typically measures around 0.05 inches thick, while varieties of Hardie siding range between 0.25 and 0.3 inches. For homes in Nebraska, we recommend Hardie siding for its thickness, which boasts many benefits: better weather resistance, increased longevity on your home, and greater durability.
Appearance-wise, Hardie siding may not look much thicker than vinyl, as installers typically place foam sheathing behind the vinyl siding to bulk it up.
Appearance
Brand-new siding almost always improves curb appeal, and both vinyl and Hardie siding have the potential to look great on your home. Additionally, both materials come in a wide range of styles to mimic natural materials like wood.
Hardie siding has a more realistic wood-grain appearance that makes it difficult to distinguish between actual wood at a glance. During production, James Hardie uses a specialized embossing process to create deep textures in the fiber cement. This siding also withstands UV rays more readily than vinyl siding, meaning that its color won’t fade as quickly.
Price Point
While the exact cost of your siding installation depends on many factors, vinyl siding is almost always the more budget-friendly option. Vinyl is a cheaper material to produce than fiber cement siding. It’s also lightweight, making it easier to install.
But if you compare Hardie board vs. vinyl siding cost in terms of long-term investment, the price may equal out. Vinyl siding may only last 20 years on your home, while James Hardie siding lasts up to 50 years. Whether you’re planning to live in your home for decades or sell soon, our roofers find you get more bang for your buck with Hardie siding.
Durability
Both Hardie board siding and vinyl siding have some weather resistance, but Hardie is the more durable choice for Nebraska’s unpredictable weather patterns. Hardie siding can withstand wind, rain, hail, and freezing temperatures, while vinyl has less resistance to the elements.
One major benefit of Hardie board siding vs. vinyl siding is fire resistance. Hardie board is completely non-combustible — if your house catches on fire, this siding won’t burn or melt, which may limit the spread of the fire.
In contrast, because vinyl is a type of plastic, it is not fire-resistant and easily melts in the presence of fire and solar heat. Even keeping your grill too close to the side of your house could damage your vinyl siding, so we often recommend Hardie siding for its durability and safety.
Final Verdict
Hardie and vinyl siding are both viable options within Nebraska’s home improvement market, but if you’re looking for the more durable, attractive, long-lasting option, Hardie should be your top choice. If you’re on a budget or don’t care about the long-term durability of your siding, vinyl should suffice.
As proud members of the National Roofing Contractors Association, our team at Nelson Contracting has over 25 years of experience in the roofing and siding industry, and we’d be happy to help you compare your options. Give us a call today at (402) 464-2418 to learn more about Hardie siding vs. vinyl siding and schedule a quote in Omaha or Lincoln.
