Trusted by Chicago Homeowners Since 1984:
Benefits of James Hardie Siding Installation for Homeowners in Chicago, IL
Chicago’s trusted siding contractor for over 40 years | James Hardie Elite Contractor | Licensed & Insured | 30 Year Warranty | 500+ 5-Star Reviews
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James Hardie is the #1 brand of siding in North America, installed by Siding and Windows Group, Chicagoland’s trusted exterior remodeler for 40+ years. James Hardie fiber cement combines the warmth of wood with unmatched durability, fire resistance, and a 30-year limited transferable warranty.
James Hardie Products We Install:
- HardiePlank® Lap Siding
- HardiePanel® Vertical Siding
- HardieShingle® Siding
- HardieTrim® Boards
- The Aspyre Collection.
Explore colors and styles and learn about fiber cement siding.
Return on Investment with Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding remains one of the highest-return exterior remodeling projects in the country. According to the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Chicago homeowners recoup approximately 104.9% of their fiber cement siding investment at resale, meaning the project more than pays for itself. Nationally, fiber cement recoups 113.7%, ranking it among the top exterior improvements and well ahead of most interior remodeling projects.
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Complete data from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.
What Affects the Cost of James Hardie Siding?
Investing in your home’s exterior is a significant decision. While cut-rate siding options might look attractive upfront, they frequently lead to costly, repetitive maintenance, warping, or melting down the road. To help you understand your investment, we maintain complete transparency about the variables that shape your project’s final cost.
When evaluating a genuine James Hardie fiber cement transformation for your Chicago home, several key pricing factors come into play:
- Home Size and Layout: The total square footage of your exterior walls and the number of stories directly impact the volume of materials required and the specialized safety setup needed for installation.
- James Hardie Product Line and Style: Your choice of design, whether it’s classic HardiePlank® lap siding, contemporary HardiePanel® vertical sheets, or custom architectural details, will adjust the material price point.
- Existing Siding Removal and Prep Work: To do the job right, old, failing wood or vinyl siding must be completely removed and disposed of. Unlike some contractors who take shortcuts by layering new materials over old ones, we build on a clean, safe slate to protect your home.
- Underlying Structural Repairs: If our initial inspection reveals hidden moisture damage, rot, or framing deterioration caused by past installation failures, we remediate it immediately. Fixing these hidden issues protects your core structural integrity for decades.
- Trim and Architectural Detail Work: Upgrading your custom corner trim, soffit, and fascia accents adds the polished, high-contrast look that truly makes your home stand out in the neighborhood.
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Improve Your Home / Why Settle for Vinyl?
In a recent study of homeowners who replaced their siding with vinyl siding, more than 50% stated that they would have chosen James Hardie fiber-cement siding had they been informed on the advantages prior to making their vinyl siding purchase.
Which siding would you rather have protecting your home?
* James Hardie accelerated QUV tests results compared to nationally available premium paint in lab environment.
Five Things to Consider About Vinyl Siding:
1.) It’s Only A Cover-Up. Since vinyl siding is often installed over your old problematic existing siding your current problems may continue to get worse. Additionally, since vinyl is not tightly nailed to the home, it invites insects and moisture to build behind panels, potentially penetrating the structure of the home.
2.) It’s Flammable. Vinyl siding will melt or warp when exposed to a significant source of heat or flame. Some cases have even been reported that vinyl siding has melted and warped due to the heat from the reflection of the sun from a nearby neighbor’s window.
3.) It Fades. If you’ve been told that vinyl siding lasts a “Life-Time”, think again. Over time all colors are going to fade from the sun. So with vinyl what are my options?
Install a replacement piece. Good luck finding a matching color.
Pay to have the entire wall, or house resided with vinyl again.
You can attempt to paint it, but because it was designed to expand and contract with climate changes, painted vinyl panels tend to crack and peel over time.
4.) The Warranty. What does “Life-Time” really mean? Be sure to closely review the warranty’s fine print to see what is truly covered and for how long. Review closely a vinyl manufacturer’s definition of “Normal Weathering.” Ask your vinyl sales rep how much is (4) Hunter Units. In addition most of those warranties have confusing pro-ratings that almost always favor the manufacturer.
5.) Curb Appeal. Although vinyl siding attempts to imitate the look of wood siding, aesthetically it falls short. Many would argue that its overlapping seams and faux wood grain are very unnatural, leaving the home looking like plastic and lacking curb appeal.
Frequent Questions About Hardie Siding
Yes. It's arguably the best siding choice for this region. James Hardie's HZ5® formulation is specifically engineered for the freeze-thaw cycles, humidity, and temperature swings that crack vinyl and rot wood in the Midwest.
Vinyl is cheaper upfront, but it cracks in extreme cold, fades with UV exposure, and can't be repainted once it wears.
James Hardie is more durable, holds color better, and adds more resale value. Most homeowners who go with vinyl end up replacing it sooner, making Hardie the stronger long-term investment.
Yes. Fiber cement is non-combustible and will not melt or warp from heat, unlike vinyl siding.
30+ years, backed by a 30-year non-prorated, transferable limited warranty. With proper installation and routine cleaning, many homeowners see it perform well beyond that.
Yes. Fiber cement doesn't absorb water the way wood does, so it won't swell, crack, or warp through repeated freeze-thaw cycles. It also won't become brittle in extreme cold the way vinyl can.
Wood requires repainting every 3–7 years, is vulnerable to rot, moisture, and insects, and demands ongoing maintenance. James Hardie delivers the same natural, textured appearance, especially HardieShingle® and HardiePlank®, without any of those drawbacks.
Yes. Our crews are experienced working in cold-weather conditions, and fiber cement isn't temperature-sensitive during installation. There's no reason to wait until spring.
Request your free quote today, we'll walk you through product options, color choices, and a transparent estimate built for your specific home.
