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More and more homes are being built with HardiePlank. This is a wood and vinyl siding alternative that has proven to be very hearty. However, it’s name doesn’t come from the construction pun, it comes from the inventor, James Hardie.
HardiePlank looks like wood siding except for its color. It’s base color is a grayish white. Some home owners like the color and don’t paint it, but others choose to paint. One of its benefits is that paint does not chip and peel on HardiePlank. It’s also easy to clean with a garden hose. This siding material is a fiber cement composite.
Other benefits of this Hardie siding are that it is impervious to termites and wood rot. Therefore, the long term maintenance is greatly reduced. HardiePlank is fire resistance, so its insurance rating will be the same as brick. An individual who likes the look of a wood home can save money on his homeowner’s policy by choosing the cement fiber siding. Another advantage is that, unlike vinyl siding, HardiePlank can be repainted. Once vinyl is put on a house, the home owner, or potential home buyer is stuck with that color. Hardie can be painted any color the buyer or owner wants.
If you’re a DIY home builder, it’s important to know that HardiePlank requires a special saw blade. A regular circular blade will dull and not give as clean a cut. Ultimately, the construction expenses go up as you keep replacing that traditional blade. Be sure to purchase a blade specifically designed to cut through cement fiber board. It would be a good idea to wear a N-95 OSHA-rated dust mask or respirator while cutting. The dust can be a real irritant. Finally, when setting up the saw horses, you’ll need to put them a little closer together because HardiePlank is heavier and flimsier than wood.
Although it’s more expensive, HardiePlank really could be considered the gold standard in siding.
