What Are Some of the Functional Benefits of James Hardie Siding?

At California Energy Consultant Service, we use several different brands of siding, each one with its own benefits and weaknesses. Our goal is both style and energy efficiency. Given how hot it is in the Sacramento area, and how expensive the energy bills are (especially as you get outside of Sacramento County, like Roseville and El Dorado Hills), siding has to be able to improve comfort and reduce energy costs. Style is incredibly important, but function is as well.

One of the most popular siding brands in the entire United States is known as James Hardie Siding. James Hardie makes almost entirely fiber cement siding, and crafts this siding in almost every style imaginable:

• Lap Siding
• Textured Siding
• Shingle Siding
• Vertical Siding

Its siding looks like wood, which is one of the reasons it is so popular. It is thicker and has far more texture than vinyl siding products. James Hardie creates some truly beautiful designs. But at Cal Energy, we also care about functionality. What are some of the functional benefits of James Hardie Siding?

How James Hardie Siding Can Improve Your Home

James Hardie Siding offers many functional benefits that make it the preferred choice for many of the homeowners we work with here in Northern California. Some of these functional benefits include:

• Energy Efficiency (With Support) – Fiber cement siding is only moderately energy efficient on its own. But it can be installed with several additional layers, including insulated sheathing, that increase its energy efficiency dramatically. James Hardie also makes a form of insulated fiber cement siding with an R-rating of 3.0, which is outstanding.
• Resists Mold, Rot, and Pests – James Hardie Siding uses a cement base, and cement is extremely effective at avoiding many of the issues that affect other forms of siding, like wood. James Hardie also makes specific siding for different “zones,” so you can find siding that is essentially made for the Sacramento area for even better efficiency.
• Fire Resistant – James Hardie Siding, because of its cement base, is not flammable and cannot melt. This adds extra fire resistance that can protect your home from flames and from burning down quickly, giving more time for firefighters to come.

It is also extremely durable and warrantied for as long as 30 years. Its thickness helps prevent damage and it is water resistant (although not waterproof).

There are other types of siding that offer some of these benefits. For example, insulated vinyl is incredibly energy efficient and rot resistant. We offer many of these products and are happy to show you samples or talk about what advantages and disadvantages these different siding products offer.

But what makes James Hardie siding so preferable is that it is considered more attractive than similar alternatives. Vinyl is a GREAT option, but fiber cement is made to look like wood, and that makes it an ideal choice for people that prefer the wood look but want to avoid the problems with rot and pests that occur with wood siding.

Contact California Energy for a Consultation

Cal Energy is a full service siding contractor, and we have multiple material options for energy efficient siding. The best way to decide if James Hardie siding is the right choice for you is to contact us for a consultation, and our team will talk to you about all the different siding options to help you determine which one has the most strengths for your budget.