Please give pros and cons for each.
It really depends on the application and the look the customer desires. Vinyl has came a long way and if you go with a premium vinyl it can really look sharp. I am in Minnesota and a large trend here is to put lap siding like Hardie or LP Smartside on the front of a house and vinyl on the other 3 sides. This is really the best of both worlds in my opinion. This also really cuts down on maintenance and brings up the value of the home.
This option is really up to your customer on one hand hardi has to be painted at lease every 10 years depending on climate and vinyl well the color retention can last 20 years depending on if the house is in direct sunlight,because vinyl does fade over time.
This answer to this question totally depends on location location location. Depending where your project is each one of them has there advantages.
Wood siding…
I would install wood siding in an area that was easily maintained and has an extreme exposer to wind driven rain. If you are looking for the rustic weathered look. you can only get that using wood.
Hardy or cement siding…
This product requires little maintenance after installation and painting. I would use this product in areas that are hard to reach and need a fire rating. Example.Commercial buildings can not have products on them with out a fire rating after so many floors.I would also use this product in extremely high traffic areas. very durable
Vinyl siding…
This product requires the least amount of maintenance. I would use this product almost anywhere on any building. With the exception of high traffic areas and where a fire rating is required. almost any building will look good with vinyl.
James Hardie siding will be the best option. I recommend going with their color plus technology (Pre-finish); they give you a 15 year warranty on the paint and 30 years on the product. Vinyl is plastic and it will look good for a few years but then you have to change it. I wouldn’t settle for anything but the best for my home. If they don’t have the color you want, you can hire a good painter, but color plus is the way
Great question, TRC Home Repair, LLC! We just completed training at the R&D facility in the Chicago market. It was a great experience with a behind-the-scene look at the science behind Hardie product. I will tell you that Hardie is by far-and-away the best equipped product on the market for exterior siding to weather the elements. So, with that being said, allow me a moment to answer your question.
Vinyl provides a great, inexpensive option. There are many handyman services and contractors that can install vinyl siding. And because the market is filled with suppliers of vinyl siding and installers, the market is just right for a homeowner to take advantage of a great, inexpensive, professionally-installed option for remodeling the exterior. But, vinyl is brittle in the cold, susceptible in heat and provides little home protection. A homeowner would expect to pay about $10,000 for a contractor to install siding on all sides of the exterior.
James Hardie siding is a fantastic option for exterior siding. The product is designed for the climate. In other words, for colder climates, Hardie adds additional material to provide increased stability to the board. Plus, the product provides protection from heat and fire, specifically. The product is great, however, it is susceptible to sustained wet exposure during installation. But, after the product is installed, it is holds up great against the elements, including rain. The material also comes with a a 30-year, 100% warranty; there is no pro-rating. This is best warranty in the exterior products business that I know of. The material for a whole house will cost about $10,000.
The installation process involves very specific, intricate details that must be followed to ensure the warranty is upheld. With this being the case, you will want to visit James Hardie’s website to request a quote from a certified contractor. It is very easy to install the product incorrectly or mishandle it and cause issues. So, there are only a few professional installers in each market. Plus, the installation process is time-consuming. Therefore, the install will cost about $15,000. In total, you can expect a full install to cost about $25,000.
In all, it depends on your budget. Both options are great. But, there is a disparate difference in costs for the two options. Good luck with the project!
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