HardiPlank or Vinyl?

widefat · Nov 19, 2015

Cost aside, what would you choose for siding? HardiPlank or Vinyl?
I was leaning toward Hardie, but I have heard enough about it, even when installed correctly, to wonder if it is all it is purported to be.

dmccarty · Nov 19, 2015

I built a temporary shed 8-10 years ago.

Used Hardi 4x8 panels for the siding and since it was "temporary" I did not paint the material like I was supposed too. Seems to be holding up just fine for a 8-10 year old "temporary" structure. :laughing::laughing::laughing: Carpenter bees are doing a job on the rafters though....

Cutting the stuff is a PITA. There are special blades or shears to cut the stuff which I would buy if I had a big project.

Later,
Dan

flusher · Nov 19, 2015

widefat said:
Cost aside, what would you choose for siding? HardiPlank or Vinyl?
I was leaning toward Hardie, but I have heard enough about it, even when installed correctly, to wonder if it is all it is purported to be.

Here's my house with Hardiplank (brick red) half way up the sides and Hardipanel (off white) the rest of the way. Photo was taken 10 years after the house was built. Only painting done was on the white trim at about 9 years.

No problems with that siding.

Good luck

dadster4 · Nov 19, 2015

Hardi Plank is VERY durable and holds paint better than anything, if you even need to paint it. I worked on a major remodel where Hardi Plank was being installed...I asked the homeowner why he sided his garage first...he said he put the Hardi Plank on the garage 10 years ago and that's why he was putting it on the house after seeing how well it held up.
The only "fault" with Hardi is that it does not cast a shadow due to it's thickness compared to other siding that has more of a profile.

TnAndy · Nov 19, 2015

As a former vinyl siding installer, I can tell you vinyl is crap. My house is brick, but if it were siding, I'd go Hardie board. Your only downside is paint every 10-15 years or so.

mapper · Nov 19, 2015

Hardiplank is the only way to go. Use shears to cut it, sawing creates a lot of unhealthy and abrasive dust. Our house was originally sided with LP lap and sheet siding, it was supposed to be improved and better than the earlier versions. Despite meticulous maintenance and painting it started to fail within ten years or less. Hardi siding was not yet available when we built. We resided our house in a couple of stages, the single story end I did myself and I hired a contractor friend to do the two story end, my better half did not want me on that tall a ladder.
My sister in law had vinyl installed on her house, looked cruddy and cheap up close and rattled when it was windy.
Just make sure to install it correctly and caulk it as soon as it is installed, I would paint it as soon as the weather permits cause I think the primer paint is not very attractive.
Shears are the best way to cut it, I have used both shears and circular saw, shears are much cleaner and easier!
Just remember the first rule of projects - For every diy project you deserve a new tool(s), it is part of the overall cost.

Msamt · Nov 19, 2015

I went the vinyl route laste year. Big cape with dormers and a metal roof. Chose it based zero maintenance or paint requirement ( the only house I ever owned that I DIDN'T ever have to paint). Only been a year, but for me, its a slick way to go.

/pine · Nov 19, 2015

trick question..?
vinyl is the pits...IMO...

CalG · Nov 19, 2015

/pine said:
trick question..?
vinyl is the pits...IMO...

The cement board (Hardi Plank) falls apart in wet situations. Such as shady inside corners, decks and splash off dormer valleys etc.

If you can keep it dry, it looks good. Here in VT, it's 10 years at BEST even with frequent touch up painting. (South walls do great!)

s219 · Nov 19, 2015

To me, if cost is not a factor then Hardi is far superior. I had vinyl on my last house, and while it held up perfectly well and was low maintenance (other than power washing) it looked cheap. It was also noisy whenever there was wind (vinyl must be installed loose enough to expand with temperature changes). We have Hardi on our new house -- combination of lap siding and vertical board/batten -- and it looks outstanding and gives the home a totally different "solid" feel.

Cal, are you sure that is Hardi? Because I have left some unpainted Hardi scraps stacked outside for about 12 years now and they haven't changed a bit, much to my surprise. I figured without paint it would eventually deteriorate somehow.