How much does Hardie Board siding cost?
How much does Hardie Board siding cost?
$6 – $15 average installed cost per square foot
$10,200 – $31,500 average total cost (2,000 – 2,500 SF home)
Average cost of Hardie Board siding
Hardie Board siding costs $6 to $15 per square foot installed or $10,200 to $31,500 for an average home. The cost of Hardie Board siding depends on the siding style, finish, job size, and complexity. The labor cost to install Hardie Plank siding is $4 to $9 per square foot.
| Home size (square feet) | Approximate siding square footage | Average cost installed |
|---|---|---|
| 900 | 720 | $4,300 – $10,800 |
| 1,000 | 800 | $4,800 – $12,000 |
| 1,200 | 1,000 | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| 1,500 | 1,200 | $7,200 – $18,000 |
| 1,800 | 1,500 | $9,000 – $22,500 |
| 2,000 | 1,700 | $10,200 – $25,500 |
| 2,500 | 2,100 | $12,600 – $31,500 |
| 3,000 | 2,500 | $15,000 – $37,500 |
| 3,500 | 2,900 | $17,400 – $43,500 |
| 4,000 | 3,350 | $20,100 – $50,300 |
The most popular Hardie Board siding is Hardie Plank.
Other James Hardie brand siding products include Hardie Shingle and Hardie Panel.
Hardie Board siding types
Hardie Board siding comes in a range of styles, both traditional and modern:
Hardie Plank lap siding – Lap siding, the most popular type of Hardie Board siding, uses horizontal planks with a wide range of color and texture options, including cedar look, smooth, and beaded.
Hardie Shingle – As the name suggests, Hardie Shingle siding is designed to resemble more traditional shingle materials like cedar shakes or other wood shingles. Shingles may be used for a whole house or as an accent or highlight when used with laps or panels.
Hardie Panel vertical siding – Hardie Panel siding works well for modern or farmhouse-style homes and offers a board-and-batten look when combined with Hardie Trim Boards.
Hardie Architectural Collection – The Architectural Collection combines unique textures and architectural lines with integrated panels and trim. This line also includes the Hardie Artisan Collection that uses thicker, higher-quality materials.
The James Hardie brand also offers Hardie Soffit Panels and Hardie Trim Boards for a complete exterior upgrade.
Hardie Board siding cost estimator
The table below shows a breakdown of the average labor and material costs for Hardie Board siding installation:
| Factor | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Materials | $2 – $6 |
| Labor | $4 – $9 |
| Total installed cost | $6 – $15 |
Factors that affect Hardie Board siding installation cost include:
House size & number of stories – Bigger houses require more materials and labor. Siding installation on a multiple story home also requires extra safety measures and equipment, increasing the installation time.
Style & thickness
Hardie Shingles cost more and typically take longer to install than other styles, increasing labor costs.
The Hardie Artisan Collection costs the most but offers higher quality, extra thick boards.
Color & finish – Pre-primed siding costs less than the pre-finished option but requires painting shortly after installation.
Existing siding condition – Old siding can sometimes be used as a substrate for the new siding if it is still in decent shape, reducing the cost and installation time. Old siding that needs repair or removal can add hundreds or thousands to the total cost.
Insulation – Hardie Board siding alone offers minimal insulation with an R-value of less than 1. Adding insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot, depending on the type and R-value.
Soffit, fascia, & trim – Soffit and fascia replacement costs $9 to $34 per linear foot to match it to the new siding and give the home's exterior a uniform look.
Customizations – Extra options include decorative shingles and customized board size, profile, shape, texture, or color.
Season – Most siding companies increase their staff during the summer, but they may offer a better deal during their off-season.
Hardie Board siding installation labor cost
Hardie board siding costs $4 to $9 per square foot for the installation labor alone, making up about two-thirds of the total cost. The amount of labor required depends on the job size and complexity. Hardie siding is heavy and typically requires two workers when handling the planks and panels.
Additional labor costs may include:
Removing old siding costs $0.70 to $2.00 per square foot.
Permits cost $500 to $2,000 for siding replacement, depending on the project size and location.
Exterior painting costs $1 to $4 per square foot, or $1,900 to $6,900 for a typical home. Pre-primed siding should be painted as soon as possible after installation.
Hardie Plank siding maintenance
To maintain Hardie Plank siding, keep it clean and reduce moisture exposure by keeping plants and shrubbery trimmed back and adjusting your sprinklers to avoid spraying the surface. Follow a routine maintenance schedule to maximize the siding's lifespan.
| Maintenance schedule | Details |
|---|---|
| Every 6 to 12 months |
|
| Every 2 to 3 years |
|
| Every 10 to 15 years (or earlier if needed) |
|
Most maintenance can be done DIY or by hiring a local handyman.
Power washing costs $170 to $360 for an average-sized house.
For extensive damage that requires a professional, fiber cement siding repair costs $4 to $12 per square foot.
James Hardie vs. other fiber cement siding brands
The James Hardie brand is so well-known for its fiber cement siding that the terms "Hardie Board" and "Hardie Plank" are often used interchangeably with "fiber cement" siding. Other popular brands include Allura, GAF Weatherside, and Nichiha.
| Siding brand | Average total cost per square foot | Details / warranty info |
|---|---|---|
| James Hardie | $6 – $15 |
|
| Allura | $8 – $17 |
|
| GAF Weatherside | $5 – $14 |
|
| Nichiha | $5 – $10 |
|
Hardie Plank siding pros and cons
Hardie Plank siding is a durable, long-lasting siding option that requires minimal maintenance. On the downside, the material is more costly than vinyl siding and requires professional installation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Hardie Board siding's Class A fire-resistance rating may qualify you for a homeowners insurance discount after installation.
Hardie board vs. other siding materials
Hardie Board and other fiber cement siding costs $6 to $15 per square foot installed on average, placing it in the mid-range of prices for siding material. Hardie siding is cheaper than some high-end materials like brick or stone yet mimics their looks, often holds up longer, and typically requires less maintenance.
| Siding type | Average installed cost (per square foot) |
|---|---|
| Hardie Board siding | $6 – $15 |
| Vinyl siding cost | $4 – $12 |
| Aluminum siding cost | $6 – $10 |
| Brick siding cost | $8 – $18 |
| Cedar clapboard siding cost | $6 – $12 |
| Cultured stone siding cost | $10 – $35 |
| Log siding prices | $5 – $15 |
| Masonite siding cost | $4 – $8 |
| Metal siding cost | $7 – $16 |
| Stone veneer siding cost | $10 – $45 |
| Stucco siding cost | $7 – $17 |
| Wood siding cost | $5 – $15 |
Hardie Board siding FAQs
What is Hardie Board siding?
Hardie Board siding is a type of fiber cement siding produced by the James Hardie brand. Hardie Board siding is a durable and long-lasting material made up of cellulose fibers, Portland cement, sand, water, and protective additives and formed to resemble more expensive materials like wood, brick, cedar, and metal.
Will Hardie Board siding boost my home's value?
Installing Hardie Board siding can increase your home's value. In recent years, fiber cement siding has had a return on investment (ROI) of 70% to 85%+. This means if you spend $15,000 on new Hardie Board siding installation, your home's resale value could increase by $10,500 to $12,750+.
Most real estate professionals recommend installing Hardie Board siding if you plan to stay in your home for more than 5+ years to get the benefits of its long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements.
How long does Hardie Board siding last?
Hardie Board siding lasts 50 to 100 years when installed and maintained correctly. James Hardie siding products come with a 30-year warranty and their trim products come with a 15-year warranty. Be sure to hire a trained professional to install your Hardie Board siding, otherwise, the warranty may be voided.
Is Hardie Board siding waterproof?
Hardie Board siding is not waterproof, it is water-resistant. Hardie Board siding also comes in two product formulations designed for different climates, with its "HZ5" products specifically designed to resist wet, freezing conditions.
Tip: Siding is typically installed with a waterproof house wrap underneath it for superior moisture protection.
Where can you buy Hardie Board siding?
Hardie Board siding is sold at big box home improvement stores like Lowe's and Home Depot, building material supply shops, local lumber yards, and through professional siding installation companies.
Getting estimates from Hardie Board siding installers
Follow these guidelines to find the best Hardie Board siding contractors near you:
Compare 3 to 5 in-person estimates from companies that are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Look for positive reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select a company that has been in business for 5+ years.
Ask for references.
Avoid hiring the company with the cheapest bid as it may signal lower quality work.
Ask for a written contract and labor warranty before the work starts.
Avoid making large payments up front. Follow a payment schedule for work completed instead.
Questions to ask
Consider asking the following questions to help you choose the best Hardie Plank siding installer near you:
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long have you been installing Hardie Board siding?
Can you provide references with contact information from previous similar jobs?
Does your company do the work, or do you use subcontractors?
How long will the installation take?
Does the estimate include all labor, materials, permit fees, and cleanup?
What other costs might come up during a job like this?
Do you handle the permitting process?
Do you offer financing? What is your payment process?
Do you provide a warranty on labor, and what exactly does it cover?
Do you submit the manufacturer's warranty registration on my behalf?