Everything You Need to Know About the Hardie Board Installation Process

At MHX Designs, we’re proud to be a leading Pennsylvania installer of James Hardie Siding, a durable, stylish, and sustainable siding solution. We pride ourselves on only offering top-of-the-line products to our customers and James Hardie Siding is truly the best of the best. 

If you’re thinking about upgrading the siding on your home, we recommend making the switch to James Hardie siding. Our team of expert installers at MHX Designs will be here to walk you through the process every step of the way. 

What Sets James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding Apart from Other Siding Options?

James Hardie Siding is made from fiber cement, a product that combines cement, sand, and water to create a durable, low maintenance material that looks like wood but lasts much longer. 

When you choose James Hardie Siding, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your siding has the following qualities:

• Fire protection
• Durability
• Moisture and rot resistance
• Protection against pests
• Weather resistance

James Hardie is the world’s best-selling fiber cement siding and also our most-recommended siding solution. So, what can you expect if you decide to upgrade your home with James Hardie Siding? Let’s take a closer look at the process, from beginning to end.

The James Hardie Installation Process: Before

Once you decide to move forward with your siding renovation project, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to prepare. 

Start with an honest evaluation

Before you can decide which contractor to hire for your installation or even which colors and styles you want to choose, it’s important to think about a few key factors in your project. 

Evaluate your needs

What are you looking to get out of your project? Do you need new siding because of an existing issue or are you taking a preventative approach? Or, maybe you are replacing your siding for purely aesthetic reasons? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you have a more productive conversation when you start meeting with contractors. 

Evaluate your budget

Money can be an uncomfortable subject, but the reality is that you can’t pursue a home renovation project without talking about the dollars and cents involved. Think about how much you’re willing to spend on your siding project and prepare to be upfront about it with potential contractors. You might also spend some time thinking about financing options that are available to you. 

Evaluate the current shape of your home’s siding

Take an honest look at your home and make note of any existing issues. Is the siding cracked, fading, missing pieces, or showing signs of rot? If so, you’re right to be considering a siding replacement. It’s important to know the details of your existing siding, as some issues may need to be addressed during your re-side project. This information will help contractors give you a more accurate price estimate when you meet with them. 

Think about colors and design

Now comes the fun part! After you think through the logistics of your siding project, you’ll need to decide how you want your new siding to actually look. 

Siding design options

James Hardie Siding comes in a variety of styles and finishes. Whether you want your siding to look smooth or have a texture similar to wood or stucco, you’re sure to find something you love. 

Siding color options

Similarly, there’s no shortage of color options available for your home. James Hardie offers siding in colors to match any aesthetic, from shades of greens and browns to just about everything in between. 

Are Other Contractors Installing James Hardie Siding Correctly? We Know We Are.

There are specific critical steps to properly installing siding and being a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor means we’ve had training to ensure our expertise in these steps. From leaving a 6-inch clearance to the ground and 2-inch clearance with flashing to the shingles, to applying self-adhering membrane and wall sheathing prior to installing HardieBoard, there are steps that some contractors skip that MHX Designs always includes in their process.

Without these essential steps, you will not have a quality installation and your siding project will suffer as a result. We’re here to make sure your James Hardie Siding is installed properly so that your exterior will last the test of time. Check out this full diagram of a quality Hardie install as well as our article on how to know if your contractor is correctly installing your new HardiePlank.

The James Hardie Installation Process: During

Now that you’ve worked through the details of your project and the design you want, it’s time to choose a contractor to get the job done. We might be a little biased, but we believe our MHX Designs team is the best in the business. 

If you choose MHX Designs to complete your re-side project, here’s a closer look at what you can expect during the process. 

Removal

First up, we’ll remove your old siding. Our goal isn’t to merely cover up your existing siding; we do things the right way by completely removing the old material before we start adding your new James Hardie Siding. 

Inspection

Again, we’re all about doing things efficiently and not taking shortcuts. That means we’ll do a full inspection on your home, looking for issues like water damage, mold, and termites. If we find any issues, we’ll repair them so your new siding is starting out with a clean slate. 

Protection

Next up, we’ll install a HardieWrap® weather barrier, to help protect your home against dangerous weather conditions. It’s all part of our process to do things properly the first time. 

Installation

Finally, we’ll install your beautiful new James Hardie fiber cement siding, in the style and color of your choice. When you work with MHX Designs, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that we take great care to ensure that your siding is installed properly. But, we’re also proud to have been chosen by James Hardie to offer their special 10-year warranty offer that covers all labor and James Hardie materials for a decade. We’ve got your back!

The James Hardie Installation Process: After

Once your James Hardie Siding has been installed, what are some of the benefits you can expect of your new siding?

Curb appeal

Don’t be surprised if you start getting compliments on your home’s new refreshed look! Your neighbors will notice your updated siding, and if you plan to sell your home, you’ll notice that your home value has increased. And, best of all, you’ll get to enjoy your beautiful updated home every single day. 

Little to no maintenance

There are a lot of reasons to love James Hardie Siding, but one of the best benefits is that you won’t have to worry about maintenance. Unlike wood siding, which needs to be repainted after a few years, fiber cement siding requires very little maintenance. This will save you time and money over the years. 

Energy savings

If you noticed your energy bill started to decrease, what would you do with the extra money you’re saving? With James Hardie siding, that could be your reality! New siding can help your heating and cooling system work more efficiently, leading to a lower monthly energy bill. 

Environmental impact

Did you know that fiber cement siding is recognized as a green material, thanks in part to its durability and sustainability? When you choose James Hardie Siding for your home, you can feel good about the environmental impact your home has on your community. 

Schedule a Free Consultation

Ready to upgrade your home with beautiful fiber cement siding from James Hardie? MHX Designs is here to help! Not quite ready to talk yet? That’s fine. Take a look at our current specials to learn more about how you can save on your exterior remodeling project. 

Or, if you’re ready to get started, schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about the James Hardie Siding solution and how our team can help transform the look of your home.