Allura vs. Hardie Siding: Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to fiber cement siding, two brands tend to dominate the conversation: Allura and James Hardie. Both offer durable, fire-resistant, and low-maintenance siding solutions for homeowners and builders. However, they are not created equal. While Allura has made strides in the siding market, James Hardie remains the industry leader for several reasons.

In this article, we'll compare Allura and HardiePlank siding across a range of categories including durability, design options, warranty, availability, and overall brand trust. By the end, you should have a clearer idea of which product better suits your home’s needs.

What Is Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber cement siding is made from a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This mixture is molded into planks or panels that resemble wood, stucco, or other materials. The benefits are clear: it's more durable than wood, resistant to fire and insects, and less prone to warping or rotting.

Both James Hardie and Allura offer fiber cement siding, but their differences lie in the details.

Company Overview

James Hardie

James Hardie is the pioneer of fiber cement siding, with over 130 years in the business. They've invested heavily in R&D, product innovation, and branding. Their ColorPlus® Technology, HardieZone® System, and extensive warranty programs have helped solidify their place as the go-to brand in fiber cement.

Allura

Allura is a newer player, formerly known as CertainTeed Fiber Cement. After CertainTeed exited the fiber cement business, the product line was rebranded as Allura. While Allura doesn't have the same name recognition, it has been working to gain market share with a competitive product line and pricing.

Durability & Performance

James Hardie

James Hardie’s HardieZone System customizes the formulation of its siding for specific climate zones. This means your siding is engineered to withstand the particular challenges of your local weather, whether that's extreme heat, heavy rains, or freezing temperatures.

HardiePlank siding is known for its thickness, impact resistance, and dimensional stability. Many contractors and inspectors report fewer issues over time with Hardie compared to competing brands.

Allura

Allura siding is also a strong and reliable product, but some contractors have noted slight inconsistencies in product quality and finish. There have also been isolated reports of delamination and cracking, though these are relatively rare.

Both products are non-combustible and carry a Class A fire rating, which is a big plus for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas.

Edge: James Hardie

Aesthetic and Design Options

James Hardie

James Hardie offers a wide range of siding styles, including lap siding, vertical panels, shingles, and architectural panels. Their Dream Collection™ provides over 700 pre-finished color options, and their Artisan® Collection appeals to homeowners looking for a high-end, luxury appearance.

In addition, the ColorPlus® baked-on finish is known for its vibrant, fade-resistant appearance and lower maintenance over time.

Allura

Allura also offers a good selection of styles and textures, including traditional lap, vertical board and batten, and shakes. They have about 20 color options in their pre-finished lineup, and some distributors offer custom colors.

That said, Allura doesn’t currently offer anything comparable to the breadth of the Hardie Dream Collection or the premium Artisan line.

Edge: James Hardie

Warranty and Support

James Hardie

Hardie offers a 30-year limited, non-prorated warranty on its siding, and a 15-year warranty on its ColorPlus® finishes. The non-prorated nature of the warranty is significant, as it provides full coverage for the entire term.

In addition, their products are widely installed and backed by a large network of certified contractors. This makes warranty claims and service easier to navigate.

Allura

Allura provides a 50-year prorated warranty on its siding and a 15-year finish warranty. On paper, this sounds more generous, but the key word is "prorated." As time passes, the coverage diminishes, which may not be ideal for long-term homeowners.

Edge: James Hardie

Price and Value

James Hardie

Hardie is generally priced higher than Allura, but the cost reflects the brand’s quality, reputation, and extensive R&D. Homeowners may also find added value in the ColorPlus finish, which reduces the need for repainting.

Allura

Allura is often more affordable, which can be appealing for budget-conscious projects. In some cases, builders and developers use Allura as a cost-effective alternative when budget constraints outweigh brand preference.

However, some contractors report a higher rate of callbacks or minor issues, which could impact long-term value.

Edge: Tie (depends on budget and expectations)

Installation and Contractor Preference

James Hardie

Hardie has a well-established Preferred Contractor Program and extensive training materials, ensuring that installers know how to work with the product correctly. This reduces the risk of installation errors, which can void warranties and lead to performance issues.

Because of its widespread use, most contractors are very familiar with Hardie, which can result in a smoother and quicker installation process.

Allura

Allura installation is fairly straightforward and similar to Hardie, but fewer contractors have experience with it. This could mean a smaller labor pool or increased chances of mistakes if the crew is unfamiliar with the product.

Edge: James Hardie

Brand Recognition and Trust

James Hardie

James Hardie is the most recognized fiber cement siding brand in North America. Homeowners, architects, and real estate professionals often specify Hardie by name. This brand recognition can even add resale value to a home.

Allura

While Allura has made efforts to build a name for itself, it simply doesn't have the same level of market presence or consumer trust. In fact, LP SmartSide often ranks higher in recognition than Allura, despite being a different type of engineered wood siding.

Edge: James Hardie

Environmental Impact

Both brands advertise environmentally conscious practices, and fiber cement is generally considered a sustainable material due to its long lifespan and resistance to pests and rot.

James Hardie has published extensive sustainability goals and progress, including waste reduction and water conservation efforts at its manufacturing plants.

Allura also uses sustainable practices and recycled content in its products, but its public reporting and transparency are less extensive than Hardie's.

Edge: Slight lean to James Hardie

Final Verdict

Allura is a solid product, offering a competitive and budget-friendly fiber cement siding option. It can be a good fit for certain projects, especially when cost is a primary concern. Its design options, durability, and fire resistance make it a worthy contender in the siding world.

That said, James Hardie continues to set the industry standard. From climate-specific engineering to an unmatched color selection, superior warranty structure, and strong brand reputation, Hardie offers a level of reliability and peace of mind that many homeowners find worth the extra cost.

If you're building or remodeling your forever home, or want to make an investment that holds long-term value, James Hardie remains the safer and more trusted choice.

TL;DR: Allura vs. Hardie

• Durability: Hardie wins with its climate-specific engineering.

• Design: Hardie leads with the Dream and Artisan Collections.

• Warranty: Hardie’s non-prorated coverage beats Allura’s prorated offer.

• Price: Allura is often cheaper, but you get what you pay for.

• Brand Trust: Hardie is the clear leader in recognition and reliability.

Winner (by a modest margin): James Hardie

About Bay Area Siding Company

Bay Area Siding Company is a premier provider of exterior home solutions, covering the Bay Area, CA. We're immensely proud and passionate about the craftsmanship we bring to each home. When we say we're committed to customer satisfaction, we mean serious business! Yes, we enjoy the nitty-gritty from picking up the finest materials, to the expert installation, ensuring your house is protected from all types of weather conditions. But what really gets our motors revving is seeing our clients' faces light up when we exceed their expectations. So, if you're hunting for a team that treats your home like its own, you're in the right place with Bay Area Siding Company – Let's create something extraordinary together!