Last years hail storm- Insurance company will pay for all 4 sides (is Hardi board worth the upgrade?

[USMC88-93]

Insurance company and my contractor finally agreed on the scope of work for my house repair. (replacing roof, gutters and steel siding that was installed in 1957).

Contractor says upgrading to Hardie Board siding would be a $3000 out of pocket. (That includes my insurance deductible)

Paying for a full house wrap of Hardie out of my own pocket would be a significant chunk of change. $3000 seems like something I should take advantage of considering the opportunity to do so with the insurance payout.

What say the masses. Push me over the ledge or talk me back from jumping... I like the stuff, just not sure cost vs benefit vs the alternatives like aluminum siding considering age and location of house.

EDIT: Damn, I can never seem to type in a thread title without misspelling something.

[TheGrey]

EDIT: Damn, I can never seem to type in a thread title without misspelling something.

I got your back. :) It happens- no big deal!

[Grant H.]

Yes.

Hardie Siding is worth the extra money.

The house my wife and I just sold in OK was sided with Hardie Siding, and even though it was 20years old it still looked very good. The maintenance on it is low, and it lasts for a long time, and it survives horrible weather (SW OK gets some really screwy weather).

[Irving]

Yes.

Hardie Siding is worth the extra money.

The house my wife and I just sold in OK was sided with Hardie Siding, and even though it was 20years old it still looked very good. The maintenance on it is low, and it lasts for a long time, and it survives horrible weather (SW OK gets some really screwy weather).

Absolutely agree, especially compared to vinyl. Vinyl siding is garbage after it gets brittle. Steel is pretty tough. Like anything, as long as it is installed well, it should treat you well. The issues I've seen with non-metal siding are over driving nails so the board cracks, and water absorption along the bottom edge causing press board siding to swell.

[USMC88-93]

The issues I've seen with non-metal siding are over driving nails so the board cracks, and water absorption along the bottom edge causing press board siding to swell.

Does Hardie fall into that category or are you referring to wood types? The only issues Ive seen on my garage which was previously done in Hardie (another reason I am inclined to do the house) is damage to the sharp bottom edge of the siding pieces might need to be painted to protect the "softer" interior from sucking any water. I could be wrong here but as long as the surface is intact all is good but damage to the edges or surface and all bets are off just like any other type of siding. (Cement fiber board is still fiber isn't it and still susceptible to water ingress.)

[Irving]

Well, I see cracking on both, but swelling on pressed wood types. I'm not sure I've really seen any issues with the cement fiber styles. They don't have the water absorption issue so cracking is really the only issue. I'm not an expert in it, just used to staring at it looking for storm damage.

There are a decent amount of YouTube videos on the different styles and brands as well if you want more info that isn't directly from the manufacturer.

[jslo]

Did my house in '07. No cracks and paint still looks good. I blind nailed mine.

[sniper7]

Do it. We have it now. Great stuff

[Big E3]

Typically, there are no visible nails if Hardie is installed with the nails under the next piece over it. I added on to the rear of my house 10 years ago and used Hardie and it holds up well. In fact, my shed in the back yard is covered in Hardie and the sprinkler system has watered directly on two sides for 12 years. It is showing no adverse effects of water damage and the paint has even held up well. I have some pieces of Hardie that I use to cove things with. These have never been painted and do well, if it is sitting on the ground some of the pieces have delaminated slightly. About 10 years ago my brother used a piece as a baffle in his wood stove to deflect heat inside, it’s still in there. I’m a big fan of the stuff, the only down side is cutting it and the dust when doing so. I would say for $3K you will get a huge upgrade that will look good for a long time, go for it.

[68Charger]

When I lived in AZ, tile roofs were supposed to last longer than your average human (ok, maybe like 50 year warranty)

One microburst and every clay tile roof in it's path a total loss... wind picked up tiles off one side, tossed them in the air- landing on the other side and broke most of them...

I only bring it up to point out hardi siding's weakness... if debris hits it at high speed, it'll break.

But other than that, it's real tough stuff.

[Great-Kazoo]

Replace the steel siding with new steel siding. We had the same issue after the tornado 8? yrs ago. The contractor and sub tried steering us towards hardie board. Not that it's bad, however it requires some maintenance sooner or later. My upkeep is a quarterly rinse with a power washer.

IMO the reason they are trying to steer you that way is because they have no clue how to do steel siding the right way. Plus it's easier for them and they still get paid the same. How much out of pocket would steel be compared to the hardie board ? How long do you see yourself at that residence?

[USMC88-93]

IMO the reason they are trying to steer you that way is because they have no clue how to do steel siding the right way.

I steered them, asked about the cost..

[Wulf202]

Most hardi failures are from poor install. I'd pay that 3k without issue if the contractor knows what they are doing.

[buffalobo]

Most hardi failures are from poor install. I'd pay that 3k without issue if the contractor knows what they are doing.^^^This.

[gnihcraes]

I belive mine is hardie board. Not a scratch in the big hailstorm. Not even a paint touch up. Good stuff.

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[Bailey Guns]

Our house has it. 12 years, original build. Still looks fine. I like it because it's low maint and fire resistant. We actually get a discount on our insurance for having it along with a metal roof.

[GeorgeandSugar]

Worth it he money. Find someone who has performed this install to avoid installation problems.


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[Chaffee2]

We have hardie siding is great but and it a Kardashian sized but, make sure the installer knows what they are doing. Our siding has been great except for the installer part. Idiot literally drove some of the fasteners an 1/8 inch from top of board and in high winds we have lost some of the siding that had to be replaced. So if you don't have the village idiot for an installer like we did it is great stuff.

[kwando]

if its just $3k out of pocket to upgrade to hardie.... hell yea do it!!!

we upgraded to hardie 2 years ago. it's more resistant to the weather elements, you can soak a board in water and it will not absorb. I have spares at home and i should try this theory. They come prepained already, and they have a fade warranty for 15 years (i believe). So if you factor in you paint ever 5-8 years, at $5k...

The only draw back i can think of with hardie is that it is brittle. So drilling into it is not like wood.

While they are redoing the siding make ask them how much extra it would be to add additional insulation backing.

[Skip]

Had a similar consideration a couple of years ago when I was told to just re-side the house (other damage). Hardie from Scottish was the bid I was going to go with if I got the chance. It was expensive. They did a house in my neighborhood and it looks great.

They use Hardie throughout the south because it resists moisture. In FL the only maintenance was getting the mildew pressure washed off every couple of years.

My concern was painting if we wanted to change the color and how long paint over Hardie would last. I was told it would last as long as paint on any other substrate.

[Wolfshoon]

Make sure you get a contractor that knows how to do HArdiBoard.

When I got hit for $62K hail damage in 2010 I had 2 sides of the house remove vinyl siding and replace with HArdiboard, James HArdie actually had a install shop in Denver at that time and they did it (they closed that shop in 2013). That install looks good, 8 years later I have exactly 2 cracked boards and that is after some pretty rough hailstorms and windstorms out here on the prairie.

Had another bad hailstorm in 2016 for another $23k, got a third side done with hardiboard this time. However, this contractor doesnt do hardiboard often and they "sealed" the butt joints with clear RTV sealant about 2-3". Now whenever the sun shines on it I have all these splotches show up and it looks like crap, especially compared to the real james hardi install on the other 2 side of the house. Get a contractor that knows their shit.

HArdiboard will not stand up to being soaked in water, they specifically have instructions keeping the install 6" above grade level. HArdiboard on my house survived the second massive hailstorm without issue (1.5" hail). I would do it again, especially if the upgrade is only $3k.

[Irving]

Did you go with Hardie board? Here is what baseball sized hail in 60-70 mph winds can do to pressed fiber siding. Granted this was pretty old siding. I'm actually curious how Hardie board would stand up in the same storm.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R6fnxJApqlDfTPCDGJ1j-9E7FWVJGMZ7c4jw4qdzt111wud_owqUu0FRuu8iDt9mTUyNaRV 4s9F5gx3jGEq67pp-0rxLJcH9tIgkeEqXFfN-ez-ihHVlXQ0QepJtRdo4uVkFET68-wKV3csKFrdqa6Vg1l6w469fOjvlpRx9Lu2ks3vIx4RbrOMZOKr dA3N6Ne7IeG5saakjRhdgI-4NQFwqV2e_PJkpPXh-SwCo3jJcusDFu_Gaw5gGK_qQQHOgW4uumnLrMprMTunHFz3Xw8 LcqzlonBxfrtFqZBCok5yPWYDBEWvK4x17eqjA80eQIopboQn3 UXQwaF1Q0Y9SHposvPzIjsuyUdY63w67DNvX_5csTbHqzyjH_5 XjKY-jqcyn-qylDTX4dD-6bQmUR-BDrPZXVOLcq5h-bm4YqQu3rv1M-v609dHVw565anKTWg7dnGQP9AIXOz_6PEZmqcOJLrMNJQm1us3 FkzrVzRrqa82Z-oJMM_KRMhy80tpgnEgSwQRGdcBhCoeoMS_4WpCDOjFkJEcTEX1 rDOMmOZ8zY5Ek32lqnVT8HMov9u5TxNYLkKDi6KZDNODD1UxpX 3rbc6iBOpYNMzyTYssBMW7Dh9rmoPipsVZF0SobiSFEqHr7FJq 9ytSLn3rr5x93MW4YzDA5YxMt4w=w1035-h582-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_6v6FdwGL0GR8LbPRv_7Ke-cUvlMbxJXH4Vq67Wrfv7X3XBarCis9CQA6_sszKIxfKRJWfCM9 H2K9rbcAcsxTNu0pWOfNaapRzY3QBzhJe6CypqddDa_b6NYVpu 6wrjo9ZQzH3smW1_iAKxyXeSgpHegOG_2mfiyu4cIE8u6N4evr DSnvMiPuWQ-G0jXJzsGkNLeEIoN3JD2L6wLY9OQGvsd8nhmnZyqfXhwS8El-rhFXzhpTI-wEetUtAMOBaSjoDfReLxf9nJcPAKoi7W79WZZWbAudFBygo795 648YA9rtpeFm36o1k1w9GyYYvRH1NkmGuXx536pwRzfCKDQFbv OCOSIxwAIBDux6JbDoUD6q6sggHmPRLrmKvjvUPF7UwlDAWlAA im81xc7VNN1Oh_xz1t7QnKuGKTSapNtl7q7dojPqSGvJuqtIRe sTR3jZXz707lvQNPUc33v34Fd34xV5NRAfR6TJFqF55v3KW0xw o6lxqhzhZ5w3385_yexU6FZ0UCOF-VJhDLgSjHEQWK6k6an-0lfxiLgYhLkKFXFxwdL8g_btHyDLE-guKEI5clHPYCixljG3GCFQVWt6GIGxgi-2CsZ_cu2Knc_zgf2p8VjP2D6N_XykEcGMaDDfqQSDyp8r2mbSW lgrnK-ORUvIoORvgk_0w=w1619-h910-no

[USMC88-93]

Yes Ill get some photos up.