Mistaken identity: not all fiber cement siding is Hardie® siding
A Minnesota homeowner learns that some siding doesn’t stand up — and that Hardie® products come out ahead.
Between brutal, frigid winters and hot summers, Minnesota weather is tough on homes. That's why homeowner and construction professional Lawrence Swanz wanted Hardie® siding installed on his Zimmerman, Minnesota, house — he assumed the contractor he hired would install long-lasting Hardie® products.
Swanz was familiar with the brand. He knew the company’s reputation for quality and durability.
He was therefore stumped when the siding on his house began falling apart soon after installation. The clips between the siding joints fell out, while the siding bowed, shrank, and cracked. “In some areas, that caused the material to actually break because of the amount of expansion and contraction it was going through, depending on the seasons,” Swanz says.
So, Swanz called James Hardie to make a warranty claim — and received an unpleasant surprise.
“When I met with Lawrence, he wasn’t too happy when we told him that this wasn’t a Hardie® product, but another manufacturer of fiber cement siding,” says Ben Juncker, president and CEO of Craftsman’s Choice, and 25-year member of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance® Program.
Swanz was upset when he learned Hardie® siding wasn’t on his house. He was also angry about the original siding installer’s unprofessional lack of accountability. “The contractors wouldn’t even come back out and re-insert the various clips that had fallen out,” he says.
BUSTING THE MISCONCEPTIONS
Unfortunately, Swanz wasn’t alone in his dilemma. Many contractors or homeowners assume one fiber cement siding is as good as another.
“James Hardie was getting lumped in with other fiber cement manufacturers, so the belief was that all fiber cement was produced by James Hardie, which isn’t the case,” Juncker says. As Swanz learned, other fiber cement siding could crack and warp over time with seasonal changes in temperature and moisture. This meant James Hardie gained the unearned reputation that its products couldn’t stand up to Minnesota’s brutal climate early on.
Other factors didn’t help: “Early on, when James Hardie came to Minnesota, there was some improper installation done,” Juncker acknowledges. “Some of those improper installations led to some issues. Because of this, people said it’s not made for Minnesota.”
Juncker says, if installed properly, the products will last. “But if they’re not installed properly, they’re not going to perform the way they’re intended." This, it is important to note, is true for all siding materials — if any product is not installed properly, it may not perform as intended.
Hardie® products are formulated to withstand extreme regional weather and are Engineered for Climate® to ensure homeowners get unmatched protection and performance — regardless of where they live. Hardie® products are warranted to not crack, split, warp, or edge check as a result of damage from water, heat, and freezing temperatures when tested in accordance with ASTM C1185.
Homeowners understandably expect their exterior siding materials to be weather resistant. Like Swanz, they’re trusting their contractor to not only know how to install their products properly, but also the benefits and drawbacks of different materials for different regions, and to pass that information on to the consumer.
GETTING IT RIGHT
Despite his frustrations, Swanz still needed a siding contractor for his exterior siding replacement. He decided to give it another go with fiber cement, this time taking specific steps to ensure his contractor used Hardie® products.
He retained Juncker and Craftsman Choice as the fiber cement contractor and asked plenty of questions. “We looked for a contractor that re-sided in our area, and that had been in business for a long time,” Swanz says. “We had a really good rapport with this contractor from day one. They answered all the questions we had.” Additionally, “We looked at some of the contractor’s work in our area and were pleased with what we saw.”
It certainly didn’t hurt Swanz’s decision that his contractor came with another vote of confidence in Hardie’s favor: Juncker says he has Hardie® siding on his own home, and his daughter has it on hers. “We truly believe Hardie® siding is the best siding option for Minnesota homes,” he says. “We’ve personally seen it perform over the last 25 years.”
Juncker is sympathetic to homeowners who are overwhelmed by the re-side process.
“I think some of the biggest challenges for a homeowner when choosing a product to re-side with is all of the different information that they're presented with,” he says. “Most homeowners will re-side their home maybe once in their lifetime, so it's not something that they really pay attention to until they have that need.”
Juncker recommends homeowners ask their contractor how many projects they’ve completed with the selected product, and how they’ll side different areas and angles of the home. “Sometimes it’s a salesperson who maybe memorized a product brochure and just knows product knowledge. You want someone who knows what’s going to happen on your home, and how each specific area of your home is going to be handled.”
James Hardie’s Contractor Alliance® Program can help alleviate some of these homeowner concerns. Through the program, contractors obtain the education and tools for proper installation of Hardie® siding, trim, soffits, and other products.
“Being a part of the Contractor Alliance Program enables us to collaborate with other contractors across the nation on installation tips, on marketing, on sales,” Juncker adds. “James Hardie elevates the contractor experience through trainings and marketing materials. [As a contractor] you’re then able to help a homeowner through the entire process, and you have the business side of your company taken care of in addition to the installation piece. Because if you have only one or the other, it can create an imbalance that leads to a homeowner feeling frustrated.”
SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
With all questions asked and answered, the Swanzes worked comfortably with Craftsman Choice to bring their re-side to life. Lawrence and his wife worked with Juncker to design their new home, reviewing renders of different profiles and color combinations until they were satisfied.
The Swanzes were delighted with the results. “They really loved the new design of their home,” Juncker says. “They were able to go with a little bit more of a bold color than they had previously. I think they would say that it turned out better than they had expected.”
Juncker’s team used siding provided by James Hardie, including Hardie® Plank lap siding with Select Cedarmill® in Night Gray, along with Hardie® trim in Arctic White to outline the doors, windows, and corners. Completing the look were Hardie® shingles in Midnight Soot to add appeal to the front gables. Hardie® siding featuring ColorPlus® Technology finish provides durability to the color that will stand up to the fiercest weather changes Minnesota has to offer.
“What we really like about it is that in the changing light throughout the day, if you look at the siding at an angle, it has a different hue to it than if you look straight on,” Swanz says. “We really like that it makes the house pop.”
STAND UP TO EXTREME WEATHER
If you’re interested in learning more about how Hardie® siding stands up to the elements, check out our durability resources, or if you’re looking for a little project guidance, try the Re-Side Guide to get the full catalog, browse all the products, and choose the right match for your style.
But if you’re ready to start your re-side journey with a professional, Request a Siding Quote so we can connect you with skilled local contractors. The James Hardie Contractor Alliance® Program connects homeowners with contractors nationwide whom you can trust are both licensed and insured.
