James Hardie Siding: Products, Profiles, Pros and Cons
By Bay Area Siding Company
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"Hardie board" is James Hardie fiber cement siding: boards and panels made from portland cement, sand and cellulose fiber that don't rot, don't burn and hold paint well. The lineup covers lap siding (Hardie Plank), vertical panels (Hardie Panel), shingles (Hardie Shingle), a thicker premium line (Hardie Artisan), modern flat panels (Hardie Architectural Panel), and matching trim and soffit. The main trade-offs are weight, a higher installed price than vinyl, and an installation that has to follow Hardie's written instructions closely.
This guide covers what each product is, how the HardieZone and ColorPlus programs work, and where Hardie siding falls short. If you already know you want it and are looking for an installer, see our James Hardie siding page.
James Hardie product lines at a glance
James Hardie now writes its product names with a space ("Hardie Plank" rather than the older "HardiePlank"). Both spellings refer to the same products.
| Product | What it is | Key details | Finish options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardie Plank | Horizontal lap siding | 5/16 in thick; widths from 5¼ to 12 in; six textures including Select Cedarmill and Smooth | ColorPlus or primed |
| Hardie Panel | 4-ft vertical sheets | Used alone or with Hardie Trim battens for board and batten; Sierra 8 texture has a groove every 8 in | ColorPlus or primed |
| Hardie Shingle | Cedar-shingle look in long strips | Straight Edge and Staggered Edge versions | ColorPlus or primed |
| Hardie Artisan | Premium thick siding and trim | 5/8 in thick; Lap, Shiplap, V-Groove and Square Channel profiles; corners can be mitered | Primed only, smooth texture |
| Hardie Architectural Panel | Large flat panels for modern exteriors | 5/16 in thick, 4 ft wide, 8 to 12 ft long; Sea Grass, Fine Sand and Mounded Sand textures; paired with aluminum Hardie Architectural Metal Trim | Primed only |
| Hardie Trim | Corner, window, band and batten boards | Made to match Hardie siding | ColorPlus or primed |
| Hardie Soffit | Eave underside panels | Vented and non-vented | ColorPlus or primed |
Product availability, textures and colors differ by region. Your supplier or James Hardie's ZIP code lookup will show what is stocked locally.
What fiber cement is, and what "cement board" usually means
Fiber cement siding is a mix of portland cement, sand and cellulose fiber, formed into boards and cured. The cement makes it hard, noncombustible and unattractive to termites and woodpeckers. The cellulose fiber keeps it from being brittle like plain concrete and lets it be nailed and cut.
People often say "cement board" when they mean fiber cement siding, but in a hardware store "cement board" usually means tile backer board for showers and floors. James Hardie makes both, as separate product lines. Interior backer board is not an exterior siding and should never be used as one.
The main profiles and what they look like on a house
Lap siding (Hardie Plank)
Narrow widths give a traditional, busier look that suits Victorians and older cottages. Wider boards read more modern and install faster. The wood-grain Select Cedarmill texture is the default; Smooth is popular on contemporary homes. Beaded and Colonial textures are also offered. Our lap siding guide compares widths and styles.
Vertical panel and board and batten (Hardie Panel)
Hardie Panel comes in 4-foot-wide sheets. Smooth panels with Hardie Trim battens on top give a board and batten look. Grooved textures such as Sierra 8 give a vertical-groove look that is a common replacement for T1-11. Our Pleasant Hill HardiePanel vertical siding project is an example of a full vertical exterior.
Shingles (Hardie Shingle)
Hardie Shingle mimics cedar shingles in long strips, so it installs faster than individual shingles. It is often used on gables, dormers or a single story of a mixed exterior. Straight Edge gives a tidy, even line; Staggered Edge looks closer to hand-laid cedar.
Thick premium siding (Hardie Artisan)
Artisan boards are 5/8 inch thick, about twice the thickness of standard Hardie Plank. That extra thickness gives a deeper shadow line and allows mitered corners instead of corner boards. The flat-wall profiles (Shiplap, V-Groove, Square Channel) can run horizontally or vertically. Artisan comes primed only, so it always needs field painting. Our San Jose Artisan V-Groove project shows the look.
Architectural Collection panels
The Hardie Architectural Panel is a large, flat panel with a fine texture rather than a wood grain, aimed at modern and contemporary design. It is installed with Hardie's aluminum metal trims at corners, joints and transitions, which gives crisp reveal lines. These panels are primed only. They take careful layout, because every joint is visible.
HardieZone: HZ5 and HZ10
James Hardie makes its siding in two climate formulations under the HardieZone system. HZ5 is built for freezing temperatures, big seasonal swings, and snow and ice. HZ10 is built for heat, humidity, strong sun and coastal salt air. Each zone has its own installation instructions, and Hardie tells installers to confirm the zone for the ZIP code before starting. In practice your supplier will stock the right product for your area; what matters for you is that the installer follows that product's instructions.
ColorPlus or primed
Most Hardie siding is sold two ways:
- ColorPlus Technology is a factory-applied, baked-on finish with its own 15-year limited finish warranty. Colors come from a regional Statement Collection, which is stocked locally, or the made-to-order Dream Collection, which costs more and takes longer.
- Primed boards are painted on site after installation. Hardie's instructions say primed products must be painted within 180 days, with 100% acrylic topcoats recommended.
ColorPlus saves a painting step and generally holds color longer than field paint. Primed gives you any paint color you want and is the only option for Artisan and Architectural Panels. Our ColorPlus colors guide goes deeper into the palettes.
Fire performance
Hardie siding is noncombustible when tested to ASTM E136 and carries a Class A rating under ASTM E84. James Hardie also lists it in 1-hour and 2-hour fire-rated wall assemblies tested to ASTM E119, and states its siding is listed for use in wildland-urban interface zones in the western US. Hardie notes that the fire resistance does not extend to paint or coatings, which can char.
For homes in Marin, the Oakland and Berkeley hills, and other Fire Hazard Severity Zones, noncombustible siding is one accepted path under California's wildfire-zone building rules. The siding is only one part of a fire-resistant house. See our fire-resistant siding guide for vents, eaves and the base of the wall.
Pros of Hardie siding
- Noncombustible. It will not burn, which matters on a growing share of Bay Area lots.
- No rot or pests. Fungal decay and termites don't damage the board itself.
- Dimensionally stable. It doesn't soften in heat the way vinyl can, so it handles south and west walls and reflected sun from neighbors' windows.
- Holds paint well. Field paint lasts longer on fiber cement than on wood, and ColorPlus lasts longer still.
- Warranty. A transferable 30-year non-prorated limited substrate warranty on siding, trim and soffit.
- A full system. Matching trim, soffit and battens from one manufacturer, in matching ColorPlus colors.
- Local supply. James Hardie has a plant in Fontana, California, and its products are widely stocked and installed in Northern California.
Cons of Hardie siding
- Weight. Hardie Plank weighs about 2.3 pounds per square foot. LP SmartSide engineered wood lap weighs about 1.5. Long boards need two people or a gauge tool to hang.
- Handling. Boards can crack or chip at corners before installation if they are carried flat or dropped. Hardie's instructions say to carry planks on edge.
- Install skill. Clearances, flashing, fastener placement and cut-edge sealing all have to follow Hardie's instructions. Installing outside them can affect warranty coverage. Our article on what a correct Hardie install looks like covers the details.
- Silica dust. Cutting fiber cement releases respirable crystalline silica. Crews must cut outdoors with dust-collecting saws or shears and must not dry sweep. This is a jobsite safety issue more than a homeowner one, but it is a real cost of the product.
- Price. Installed cost is higher than vinyl, mainly because of heavier, slower labor and, with primed boards, a full paint job.
- Upkeep is low, not zero. Caulked joints need checking, field paint needs repainting on a normal schedule, and edges that sit too close to soil or roofing will absorb water.
If weight and cost are the deciding factors and your lot is outside a fire zone, compare it with engineered wood in our LP SmartSide review.
Is Hardie siding right for your house?
- Good fit: homes in or near fire hazard zones, coastal homes where wood keeps rotting, homes with T1-11 or old hardboard siding, and anyone who wants a factory finish and matching trim.
- Think harder: very tight budgets, small repairs that need to match an existing wood or vinyl wall, and complex modern designs where the Architectural Panel layout needs an experienced crew.
- Mixed exteriors work well. Lap on the main walls with shingle or board and batten on gables is a common Bay Area combination, and Hardie makes all three.
We give a free written estimate after a walkthrough, and we can price ColorPlus and primed side by side so you can compare finished costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hardie board the same as fiber cement?
Hardie board is James Hardie's brand of fiber cement siding. Other companies, such as Allura, also make fiber cement. "Hardie board" is often used loosely for any fiber cement siding, but product lines, warranties and finishes differ by brand.
What is the James Hardie warranty?
James Hardie siding, trim and soffit carry a transferable 30-year non-prorated limited substrate warranty. ColorPlus finishes carry a separate 15-year limited finish warranty. Read the current warranty documents for exclusions, including installation requirements.
Is Hardie siding fireproof?
No siding is fireproof, but Hardie siding is noncombustible under ASTM E136 and Class A under ASTM E84. It will not ignite or add fuel to a fire. Paint on the surface can still char, and the rest of the wall still needs proper detailing.
What is the difference between Hardie Plank and Hardie Artisan?
Hardie Plank is standard 5/16-inch lap siding sold primed or in ColorPlus colors. Hardie Artisan is 5/8 inch thick, comes primed with a smooth texture, and gives a deeper shadow line and mitered corners. Artisan costs more and always needs field painting.
Can Hardie siding be installed in wet coastal areas?
Yes. Fiber cement doesn't rot, and Hardie's HZ10 formulation is built for coastal and humid climates. Near the ocean, Hardie recommends stainless steel fasteners, and correct flashing and clearances matter more than ever.
Sources
The information provided here is intended for general reference and should not be considered professional advice. Before starting any project, consult a licensed contractor. Product features, specifications, and warranties may have been updated since this was published. Any mention of brands or products reflects personal opinion and does not constitute an endorsement or warranty.
