Hardie Board Siding in Red Deer: A Closer Look at Performance, Design, and Cost

What is James Hardie Siding?

Another word for James Hardie siding is fiber cement siding, and it’s made up of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It’s the ultimate in robust home protection, with each component contributing to its strength and durability:

• Cement – Adds overall strength and resistance to fire and pests.
• Sand – Adds stability to the siding.
• Cellulose – Allows the siding to maintain flexibility to avoid cracks.

Years of research and engineering by its inventor, James Hardie, have led to the development of this ultra-strong, long-lasting, and beautiful exterior siding. It has a premium look and can even mimic real cedar siding without the maintenance commitment. Whatever finish you choose, it will quickly elevate your home’s appearance.

Why Cement Board Siding is Worth It in Red Deer

Hardie board siding will last 50 years or more. And if that’s not enough to convince you that this material is ideal for your next home siding reno project, here are the other main benefits that Red Deer locals need:

• Long-lasting, durable finish – You’d think after 50 years, a siding material would look old and tired, but not with James Hardie. It keeps its finish well and won’t crack or get damaged from weather events like hailstorms and high winds, which are common in Red Deer.
• Dependable fire resistance – Like metal siding, fiber cement siding is non-combustible and helps limit the spread of fire.
• Low maintenance requirements – Because this siding is extremely durable, you won’t need to make frequent repairs or spend time refinishing the boards. All it needs is a cleaning with water every so often.
• Pest-resistant – Hardie board siding is also strong enough to resist infiltration by pests like rodents and insects. The same can’t be said for materials like wood siding, which may attract the attention of damaging birds like woodpeckers or pests like carpenter ants.
• Natural insulator – Cement fiberboard siding can lower your energy costs because it has natural insulating properties. It helps keep the heat in during the winter and the heat out during the summer.
• Flexible design options – Hardie siding is an extremely versatile exterior cladding. The colour range is enviable, and so are the finishes. Choose a wood look, a bold blue, or a crisp white. You never have to sacrifice your design vision in favour of durable siding.

Mold and Moisture with Hardie Board Siding

The good news is that mold doesn’t grow on Hardie board siding because it doesn’t let moisture in. This is especially true when experienced professionals, like the team at Family Siding, install the siding. There won’t be unsealed or improperly finished joints or cracks that are susceptible to water incursion. Without the moisture, mold and mildew won’t grow.

Tip: Seasonally, give your Hardie board siding a quick once-over. Look for any damage that may have occurred from debris, accidents, or storms. Have any problem areas addressed immediately so that moisture doesn’t become an issue.

Steps to Choosing Hardie Board Siding

1. Pick Your Colour

   To achieve your dream siding look, you can play around with colour and design. And before you make any decisions, remember that Hardie board siding lasts 50+ years. The colour has to be something you’ll continuously be happy with.

So, if you’re choosing bold colours or trendy designs, just do a double-check to make sure you really, really love it.

2. Pick Your Style

   Whatever your vision, we can help you bring it to life with different styles of fiber cement siding and varying installation techniques:

   • Using vertical plank siding works well for a modern home style.
   • Installing horizontal Hardie board plank siding skews more traditional.
   • Choosing Hardie shingles automatically gives a classic and rustic country look.
   • Finishing touches using Hardie board trim mean a completely cohesive aesthetic.

4. Evaluate the costs

   Cement fiberboard siding requires a higher upfront cost than options like vinyl. If you can afford this initial investment, it’s often worth it because of the long life of Hardie plank siding. It offers excellent value, but only if you have the funds available.

   Tip: If the costs are a concern, we do have flexible financing options to assist.

5. Use Experienced Installers Only

   Don’t trust just anyone to install your Hardie plank siding. The standards are high for this material, and without the proper installation, you may void warranties or have long-term challenges with moisture and the siding’s appearance.

The Cost of James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding in Red Deer

The real question that Red Deer homeowners want to know is whether or not cement siding is expensive. And the answer is relative. It’s more expensive than standard vinyl but significantly cheaper than premium metal siding like aluminum or engineered wood siding.

Most fiber cement siding projects cost around $12 per sq ft. But the final James Hardie siding prices are going to depend on the following factors:

• Scope:
  • How big is the structure that needs to be covered?
  • Is the installation easy, or are some areas hard to access?
  • Are there complex architectural features to account for, like dormers or large windows?
• If the existing siding can be left in place, you’ll save on the cost to remove it.
• Sometimes repairs to the structure are needed for the siding to be secure, flat, and level.
• A large amount of intricate trim work will also add to the costs.

The safest way to know the exact pricing for your individual project is to get a free quote. Then, you’ll have all the information to decide.

How Much is Hardie Board for a 2,000 sq ft House?

Using the average starting point for hardie board siding, a 2,000 sq ft house will generally come in around the $24,000 mark. For perspective, that’s only about $2 more per sq ft than higher-end vinyl. It’s also cheaper than installing the LUX panel or AL13 metal panel system.

James Hardie Siding Installation Process

Here’s how the typical Hardie board siding project goes from start to finish:

1. Our team conducts a site visit to assess your property’s needs and take measurements.
2. We provide a detailed quote for your approval that also explains the project timeline.
3. Once approved, we order materials and start site prep.
4. Our concrete siding contractors in Red Deer need to determine whether or not the Hardie plank siding can be installed over existing siding. If not, the existing siding has to be removed.
5. We initiate any necessary surface repairs so that the siding can be installed correctly.
6. Under the fiber cement siding, we add insulation (not mandatory, but always recommended in Red Deer) and a moisture barrier.
7. We get to work cutting and installing the Hardie board and trim according to your design preferences: colour, vertical, horizontal, etc.
8. We conduct a thorough inspection and ensure the entire site is as clean (or cleaner) than when we started the job.

How Long Does Hardie Siding Installation Take?

For the average Red Deer fiber cement siding installation, it takes anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks. Easier materials to install, such as vinyl, can be fully installed in as little as 4 or 5 days.

Cement board siding takes longer because installation is more complex, and the added material weight makes it harder to maneuver. If you need a quick turnaround time, other than vinyl, metal panel systems, like LUX and EasyTrim, might be a better fit for quicker installation.

The Warranty for James Hardie Siding

James Hardie backs its fiber cement siding, soffit products, and trim with a 30-year warranty. The coverage can be transferred to a new owner if the property is sold, which adds excellent value. Their ColorPlus finish also includes a separate 15-year warranty.

Fiber Cement Siding is Perfect for Your Next Exterior Renovation

Put simply, the advantages of fiber cement are plentiful, while the disadvantages are very minimal.

Cement board siding is low maintenance, preserves its finish for the long-term, stands up to the Red Deer elements, and offers great overall value for homeowners. Customize everything for the ideal finish and look forward to many, many years of reliable home protection.

The Downsides of Hardie Plank Siding Installation

Fiber cement really doesn’t have many downsides. The main problem with fiber cement board siding, though, relates to installation. It’s not a material that’s conducive to a DIY weekend project. And because it isn’t as easy as vinyl siding to install, the labour costs can be higher than with other materials. Here’s why:

• Concrete siding is much heavier and therefore more cumbersome to deal with than metal siding, such as longboard and aluminum.
• When cutting Hardie board siding, contractors need training and specialized blades. Otherwise, the boards may be damaged or cut imprecisely.
• Because of the weight, homeowners can expect installation to take longer.
• This material is unforgiving, which means that one error, no matter how small, can have a cascading effect that leads to moisture getting in where it shouldn’t.

The easiest way not to fall foul of any of the Hardie board downsides is to partner with a trusted and certified installer like Family Siding.