Why is FC shingle siding so expensive?
James Hardie makes FC shingle siding as 4′ width panels, and also as individual shingles. The panels are 16″ high, and exposure is 7″.
That 16-to-7 factor means you buy 2.28 actual s.f. of product to cover one finished s.f. of wall. Contrast that with their clap siding product for 6″ exposure, with its 7-1/4″ height, the factor being only 1.21.
On top of the factor thing, the pricing of the shingle product is astronomical as compared to the clap.
What is going on here? The manufacturing process, with parts pressed in a textured mold, has got to be similar, if not almost identical. Thickness is about the same, so you would think that the cost factor per net finished s.f. should be around 2.28/1.21, or 1.88. It’s a whole lot more.
Why? Who can afford it?
Replies
I guess because it is. #1 cedar shakes are $400 to cover 1sq, so I guess it is not that expensive.
I priced a product similar to what Gene is referring to.. upwards of a grand per square. Insane.
Make your own. Buy the product with the woodgrain and cut it into pieces.
Never used the shingle product, but my guess is that they are designed to work like the real thing which also have that kind of exposure ratios. I think it's because you gotta treat it like you would a roof -- all the joints between the shingles need to have a solid surface behind them. This dictates that there's more hidden than exposed. For claps, you either caulk (lame) or slip each of these butts, and there's fewer of 'em.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Everything fits, until you put glue on it.
The hardi shingle panels I've seen, both straight and crazy cut, have been installed with no regard for overlaps at joints... I mean, they're panels, what's to leak? LOLAnd, I can get cedar panels for less than hardie!?!http://www.tvwsolar.com
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