One of the most popular home exterior renovations happening around the country right now is upgrading to attractive, long-lasting, eco-friendly fiber cement siding. In fact, the number one choice among America’s homeowners is James Hardie® fiber cement siding — and for good reason. Fiber cement offers a long list of appealing advantages that homeowners can’t resist. If you’re looking for a way to boost curb appeal and home value, look no further than fiber cement siding.
At Siding & Windows Group, we specialize in installing James Hardie siding for Chicagoland homeowners who believe in exceptional products that provide peace of mind for years to come. And as a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, we know the ins and outs of installing fiber cement siding to perfection, giving you lasting results you can count on.
As you consider fiber cement siding for your home renovation needs, remember that these 9 benefits await you when you invest in James Hardie siding.
1. Durable
Fiber cement siding simply outlasts its competition. With an average life estimated at 50 years, it lasts longer than wood or vinyl — often decades longer. Strong, durable siding made of fiber cement is likely to outlast its homeowners too. You’ll have no worries about replacing it. Simply put, James Hardie fiber cement siding is a smart choice.
2. Eco-Friendly
Because fiber cement siding lasts so long, it gets replaced less often than wood and vinyl siding, and it contributes less to landfills. Even when it does need to be replaced, its manmade makeup of Portland cement, sand, and cellulose fibers is non-toxic, so it doesn’t create the waste management issues that vinyl can cause. Eco-friendly James Hardie doesn’t leave behind a carbon footprint in the way of carbon dioxide emissions.
3. Excellent Warranties
Without question, one of the most valuable aspects of James Hardie fiber cement siding home is the excellent warranty it comes with. Because of its consistent durability and thoroughly tested performance against cold, wet Chicago weather, James Hardie can warranty its products for as long as 50 years. Other types of siding made of wood or vinyl just can’t afford to offer such a guarantee.
4. Attractive and Customizable
One key reason to have your siding contractor install fiber cement siding is that it makes your home look beautiful. If you’re thinking of selling your home, James Hardie’s customizable styles and baked-on ColorPlus® options greatly enhance curb appeal, which can help your home sell more quickly. On the other hand, if you know you’ll be holding on to your home for years to come, painted fiber cement siding lasts longer than wood or vinyl, because fiber cement siding doesn’t fade, chip or wear down like other siding materials.
5. Low Maintenance
Wood requires frequent painting and moisture treatments. Vinyl gets dented and cracked easily. But maintaining the fresh look of fiber cement siding is as easy as spraying it down with a garden hose a couple times a year, along with a light scrub with a gentle nylon brush and soapy water. It doesn’t take much to remove dust and other particles from James Hardie fiber cement siding.
6. Noncombustible
In the case of a fire, wood siding burns easily. Vinyl melts under intense heat. But fiber cement siding, on the other hand, provides fire-resistant protection. Since fiber cement is rated noncombustible, it doesn’t contribute fuel to a fire. Fiber cement siding will remain structurally unaffected during even the most intense heat, keeping your family and the contents of your home safe and sound. And because of this, insurance companies often decrease insurance premiums after fiber cement siding is installed on a home.
7. Versatile
The texture, shape, and size of fiber cement siding can be made to match your taste, allowing it to mimic natural wood, stucco, and other stylish forms of masonry. Because it is so versatile, your personal preferences can be expressed. The grain finish of fiber cement siding copies the look of natural wood so accurately that passersby will be convinced it is real wood. When fashioned to look like stucco, as many Chicago homes are, fiber cement siding on your house gives it that same high-end, modern feel.
8. Insect Resistant
One of the biggest problems traditional wood siding has in the Chicagoland area is the damage termites and other bugs do to it over time. With reliable, bug-resistant fiber cement siding, your home’s appearance remains intact without the threat of pesky insects.
9. Woodpecker and Rodent Resistant
Woodpeckers and rodents can simply destroy a home’s exterior, and in no time flat. The holes they leave can lead to problems with your insulation and other costly issues. However, fiber cement siding is unappealing to woodpeckers and other creatures, protecting your home from damage.
Chicago Siding Upgrades that Make You Smile Whenever You Come Home
Your home should be your oasis of calm, a place you can always count on. You deserve a home that looks beautiful and is easy to maintain. Working with a pro siding contractor that is experienced in properly installing durable James Hardie siding is a smart way to create the long-lasting value and confidence you deserve to have in your Chicago area home.
Our clients love the work we do — just take a look at our reviews. And when you’re ready to find out if fiber cement siding or other home renovations are right for you, contact us for a free, no-pressure consultation and estimate. It’s that easy to fall in love with your home all over again.
