Siding choices: Hardie Board vs. Vinyl?
I currently live in a $350K tract house, with conventional vinyl lap siding, which I have always despised. But where I live now and where I’m going to be building both have green algae problems on the siding. My new house will be waterfront and probably be even more vulnerable to algae.
The plan for the new house was fiber-cement lap siding, by Hardie, pre-painted and back-primed. BUT, their warranty specifically excludes damage due to algae, fungus, and mildew.
My current house requires pressure-washing about every 2 years to look presentable, about $350. Repainting Hardie siding will run about $4,000 minimum, probably every 3 years or so given its waterfront location, defeating my goal of near-zero maintenance.
So, despite my dislike for vinyl, I’m actually leaning toward using vinyl (probably shingles rather than lap-siding).
My present deck, with opaque oil-stain (with mildewcide additive) over pressure-treated lumber needs annual refinishing…the algae eats right down to bare wood in a single year.
I currently also have “artillery fungus” on the vinyl siding, due to mulch beds along the foundation, something I won’t repeat…will use stone mulch only on the new home.
I’m willing to be talked-out of vinyl, if there are good alternatives given my conditions.
Replies
Where do ya live that hsa so much fungus trouble?
Northern NYS.
my sister and brother in law have a house on Schroon Lake, upstate NY. asked him if they had these issues and although he said he doesnt to the extent you have it is something they have to take into account. they have repainted twice in the 11 years they have been there.
I dislike vinyl, but for the things your trying to achive it will be your best bet.
It should be mentioned that there ARE other choices -- wood, steel, stucco, brick, various types of siding panels, composites other than Hardie, etc.
Or you can add a fungicide to the paint.
And pretty much any siding should be kept elevated at least a foot above grade level, and 2" or more above the roof of an attached wing or above a stoop or similar.
I often click my boot heels together and repeat "Maintenance free home, maintenance free home, ..." . Nothing ever happens. There is no maintenance free exterior cladding. Brick need sealed, painted products need cleaned and checked, vinyl needs cleaned and checked too. How many times has a lawn mower thrown a rock through that stuff. Little hole, big problem.
James Hardi has great siding. James Hardi has awful warranty. They have awful warranty because no one bothers to install it well. They will always claim an install problem. Get past that. It takes the same install care that wood does, yet lasts better and takes more abuse. Their finish should last far longer than 3 years. Even of they say that salt is hard on it. Having said that, I have vinyl on my house. It is qucker to install. Easier to fix, change and maintain than anything. If you are using the shingle look vinyl you will pay a premium for the stuff that won't blow off and fade. Finally, use a better product on the deck. I have six and seven year decks with Sherwin Williams products.
The guy across the street is getting his steel siding replaced. It's maybe 15 years old, but the paint is peeling off.
We replaced our original crummy hardboard siding with Masonite maybe 28 years ago. Repainted it once about 10 years ago. It's still in perfect shape (and it's the best-looking siding on the block).
But, your miracle siding is unavailable now. I vote Hardi.