How Long Does James Hardie Siding Last? 3 Factors That Affect Longevity

A siding replacement is a big project for your home. Not only is the installation process lengthy and intense, but the cost to replace your siding is an investment. 

So, no matter the type of siding you are interested in for your siding replacement project, you want to know how long it will last to see if it will align with your goals and give you the results you are looking for.  

This is especially important if you’re thinking about choosing James Hardie siding for your home. Hardie fiber cement siding is more expensive than other types of siding because of the quality of the material and expertise of installation required.

Nobody wants to just blindly throw their money at a product and contractor and hope the result is positive. 

You need to have all your questions answered regarding the cost, performance, and longevity of replacement siding to know if it is right for you and if it is worth it. 

Southwest Exteriors has been a siding replacement contractor in San Antonio since 1989. We exclusively install James Hardie siding because of its numerous benefits, longevity being one of them. 

While we recommend Hardie siding as the best for South Texas homeowners, we know it is not the right choice for everyone. 

Depending on your goals for your siding replacement project and your home, James Hardie siding may or may not align with how long you want your replacement siding to last. We want you to have the right answers to all your questions before deciding on any siding type. 

This article will answer how long James Hardie siding lasts, explain what factors directly affect the longevity of the siding, and what maintenance is required for Hardie siding. 

After reading, you will know if Hardie siding is what you are looking for and can make the best-educated decision for your siding project. 

How long does James Hardie siding last?

James Hardie is the leading fiber cement manufacturer in North America. They are at the forefront of high-quality siding solutions and have been for decades. 

Hardie siding is a lifelong solution, lasting upwards of 50 years and beyond on your home. Their warranty covers Hardie siding for 30 years and trim boards for 15 years. However, it is true that it can last beyond then when properly installed and cared for. 

Although Hardie siding can last for a lifetime on your home, you must choose the right contractor to install it correctly.

Let’s look more into the details of the importance of installation in relation to the longevity of Hardie siding. 

What factors influence how long James Hardie siding lasts?

Even though Hardie’s fiber cement materials are durable and weather-resistant, if they are not installed correctly, they will not last as long as they should. 

The most important thing to know about the longevity of James Hardie siding is that it must be installed properly with the right installation materials. The fiber cement material of Hardie siding also helps sustain its lifetime. 

1. James Hardie siding is made from fiber cement, which is incredible durable and long lasting

The first reason James Hardie siding lasts so long is because of its fiber cement material. This type of siding will not rot, warp, become misshapen, or crack easily as other siding types can. This is one of the factors that really helps increase the longevity of Hardie siding.

Hardie siding is also made with performance additives that make it ​​non-combustible, resistant to water damage and rot, and withstand any climate. 

Because of this, fiber cement siding is already more durable and longer-lasting than other siding types. But, the quality of the siding installation is just as crucial as the quality of the material.  

2. James Hardie siding must be installed properly for it to last

The installation of any product is crucial to the success of its performance. Hardie siding is no exception to this rule. 

James Hardie outlines their best practices for installing all of their products intended for all Hardie-certified installers. If these best practices are not followed when installing Hardie siding, the results will not be as well as they should be. Your siding will not look and perform as it should, and this, in turn, means it will not last as long as it should.

Knowing what to look for in a James Hardie siding contractor will help you find the best company to work with and be confident your siding will be installed properly. 

3. Installers must use the correct installation materials for James Hardie siding to last 

The second part of a proper Hardie siding installation is using the right materials. This includes the right nails, caulk, paint, and tools. 

For example, a quality exterior caulk will have a lifetime of at least 50 years. If a caulk with a 5-year life span is used with a Hardie siding installation, it will not last. This, in turn, affects the longevity and quality of the siding.  

If the wrong type of paint is used on Hardie siding, like watered-down paint, or it is not applied using the right tool, the paint can appear patchy in some areas and affect the appearance and performance of the siding. It will not be as protected as it should with the right paint type. 

How to ensure your James Hardie siding is installed properly and will last

Understanding that James Hardie siding must be installed properly with the right materials is important to know how it affects the longevity of your new siding. 

To ensure your Hardie siding is installed properly and will last, you must find a trustworthy contractor with a history of successful Hardie siding replacements. 

Researching, asking the right questions, and knowing what to look for will help you identify a high-quality contractor. Then, you can invest in James Hardie siding that will last a lifetime on your home. 

Is James Hardie siding right for me? 

Now that you know how long James Hardie siding lasts and what factors influence its life span, you have a better idea of whether this type of siding is right for you or not. 

Because Hardie is a lifelong siding solution, it is the best option for long-term homeowners. If you are looking to replace your siding once with something that is durable and you won’t have to worry about, then Hardie siding may be right for you. 

If you are a short-term homeowner or house flipper and aren’t concerned about how long your replacement siding will last, then Hardie siding may not be worth your investment. 

To find the right siding for you, ask yourself these questions:

• How durable do you want the siding to be?

• What do you want the siding to look like?

• What is your budget for your project?

• How long do you want the siding to last?

This will help you outline your specific goals for your siding replacement project and know if James Hardie siding is right for you. 

With Southwest Exteriors, we ensure your James Hardie siding will last for a lifetime because of the skill of our expert installation teams. After your siding is installed, a James Hardie inspector will come to your home and provide you with the assurance that we did the job correctly. 

We know that Hardie siding is an investment for long-term homeowners and that it isn’t the right option for all. We just want you to be well-educated on all your options so you can confidently make the best decision for your project.  

If you’re wondering how long Hardie siding lasts and if it will align with your siding project goals, you’re probably wondering how much it costs. 

This article will outline exactly how much James Hardie siding costs and what factors influence that cost. Then, you will have a better idea of whether Hardie siding is right for you.