Siding Suggestion Needed

[2YD]

Storm damage results in new siding and after meeting with 4 contractors I am more confused than ever. They each took their dig at each others product offering. So to the experts I go on TBN to get the pro's and con's of either Hardie board, its knock-off cousins, or LP Smartside. Also, pre-painted or just primed? Are they all fake grained or can you get flat sided? Cost is not the deciding factor. Guess I grew up where dad always used real wood lap-board siding and I painted the thing.

Thanks.

 

[RalphVa]

We had Hardy Plank put on our carriage house and on our breakfast room that sticks out the back of the house. This stuff is great. We had it painted. Don't recall whether it was preprimed or not.

Ralph

 

[/pine]

I'd go with the Hardie board and paint/calk it after it is applied...use stainless or monel fasteners... and don't skimp on the quality of the paint...

you might find it interesting that the wood grain patterns are actual images of real wood...

 

[2manyrocks]

You may want to read this article. http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/PDF/Free/021197040.pdf

There are other articles about siding choices at the same website you might find helpful.

 

[thatguy]

We went with vinyl when we built, BUT our neighbor went with the Hardy board and I really like the looks of it.. IF I had known about Hardy and we could have gotten the color we wanted , I would have seriously considered going with it..

I thought Hardy board came prepainted (and never needed to be repainted), is that true? IF you paint it I assume you must repaint at some point..

good luck

Brian

 

[Onthesauk]

We put Hardy board on our house when we built, nearly 9 years ago now. Primed and then painted after installed. Still looks just fine. I may get out and pressure wash a few walls this summer but doubt that I will repaint in the next ten years. We built in the woods so I bought because of it being fireproof.

 

[CosmoAU]

I have Hardie on my house. It comes pre-primed or pre-painted. The painted comes with a 15 yr. paint warranty I believe. Either will have to be re-painted but not nearly as often as real wood. It comes in textured and smooth, 8 1/4", 12", and 4x8 sheets(so you could do a board & batten look)Since the Hardie is cement you get the same insurance rating as a brick home(at least where I live). The smart side is basically OSB with a coating on the exterior side. I haven't used it myself but was told it was easier to work with...wasn't as flimsy. Obviously my vote is for Hardie.

 

[flusher]

Storm damage results in new siding and after meeting with 4 contractors I am more confused than ever. They each took their dig at each others product offering. So to the experts I go on TBN to get the pro's and con's of either Hardie board, its knock-off cousins, or LP Smartside. Also, pre-painted or just primed? Are they all fake grained or can you get flat sided? Cost is not the deciding factor. Guess I grew up where dad always used real wood lap-board siding and I painted the thing.

Thanks.

Here's my place. Hardipanel (cream color) and Hardiplank (red color)

Great stuff. Easy to paint. It came primed.

If you plan to go with Hardipanel and do the job yourself, be sure you have the right tools to cut the stuff. Check the Hardipanel website. And I would suggest that you do some test cuts before trying to cut the Hardipanel for the house.

 

[Scooby074]

Hardie is great stuff.

On our cottage we put Cape Cod siding. Cape Cod Finished Wood Siding Its holding up very good in a hostile (salt water) environment. It came pre painted. Its can be a DIY project. I understand Hardie Board can be rather difficult to work with.

 

[2YD]

Wow, very pro Hardie...that surprises me. Interesting on the insurance issue. Sounds like I'm not stuck with pre-painted color if we decide to paint later. I've heard much about the caulking/cutting issues which is what scared me off from it. Guess it comes down to having a good installer. FWIW I am not or should as I say SWMBO is not letting me do this install. Too much to go wrong with vapor barrier, moisture etc....