Siding Types: Vinyl Siding vs. James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding

If you’re looking to remodel your home’s exterior here in the Triangle, you’ve probably been doing a bit of research comparing different types of siding. While it’s an exciting process, it can also be overwhelming or confusing if you don’t know which type of siding would work best for your home. 

One of the most common decisions that homeowners make is choosing between vinyl siding and James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding after they’ve narrowed it down to their top two choices. We’re here to help you lay out the pros and cons for both options as well as provide you with more resources to help you make an informed decision.

Why Should I Choose James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding?

When searching the internet for preferred siding options, it’s hard not to find James Hardie as one of the top (if not the top) results among both homeowners and contractors alike. HardiePlank and other James Hardie products are recognized for their high quality, long-lasting durability, and low-maintenance. 

Made from a combination of wood fiber, cement, sand, and water, this fiber cement siding is created sustainably and although it looks like wood, it will last far longer. It also doesn’t hurt that their exclusive ColorPlus technology allows you to choose from seemingly endless color options to create the perfect design to fit your style.

James Hardie Siding Pros

• It’s designed to be extremely durable and withstand all types of weather for homes here in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and surrounding areas.
• It is extremely low-maintenance and requires minimal cleaning by using a garden hose for a light wash.
• It comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, making your new home exterior totally customizable to your aesthetic.
• It’s created in a sustainable manner and also helps your home’s energy-efficiency when paired with properly installed insulation.
• It comes with an industry-leading 30-year limited warranty (in addition to our own labor warranty).
• It’s been rated the number one return on investment of any major exterior remodel by Remodeling Magazine for 11 years in a row.

James Hardie Siding Cons

• It can be more expensive than other siding options, like vinyl siding, due to all the benefits you get from choosing fiber cement. 
• Without the proper training and experience, James Hardie siding can be difficult to install. However, when you choose to work with an Elite Preferred contractor, you are working with a professionally trained siding installer. 

Vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is a less expensive alternative to James Hardie and other superior siding options. Vinyl siding can look nice when installed by a qualified contractor like Carolina Exteriors, but the old saying “you get what you pay for” rings true with vinyl siding.

Since vinyl isn’t as durable as HardiePlank, homeowners who choose vinyl siding have to be on the lookout for fading, cracking, and other signs of wear and tear much sooner than with fiber cement. 

Vinyl Siding Pros

• It’s a cheaper option which can sometimes mimic a higher-end siding product, estimated to cost around $1-$8 per square foot.

Vinyl Siding Cons

• It’s not as durable as James Hardie Siding, making it susceptible to rot, visible wear and tear, cracks and fading, and weather damage.
• It doesn’t give homeowners as high of a return on investment as James Hardie.
• It doesn’t come with the 30-year limited warranty. 
• It will fade and it cannot be painted. 

When installed by a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, James Hardie Siding is the perfect exterior solution for your Triangle home. Carolina Exteriors is proud to be your area’s top Elite Preferred Contractor.

Call or text us at (919)726-3830, or fill out a form to schedule a free virtual consultation with our exclusive Digital Experience!

Author – Wesley Newton

Co-Founder & Owner, Carolina Exteriors

A construction‑industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, Wesley leads Carolina Exteriors’ mission to deliver exceptional customer experiences on every project across the Triangle.

Read Wesley’s full bio →

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