Versatile James Hardie Siding:
Superior Coverage for Gulf Coast Homes
Intense heat, suffocating humidity, corrosive salt winds, and the annual threat of hurricanes. Homes on Florida’s Gulf Coast face these challenges and more in their quest to keep your family and your possessions safe. Residents of the Cultural and Lee Island coasts from Sarasota to San Marco should give their homes the best ally possible to keep them looking their best and resisting the perpetual moisture and salty air that is the bane of metal siding. Homeowners on the west coast of Florida have a few choices when it comes to the material in which they envelop their residences, but we believer there is only one clear option, based on features, benefits, and versatility: James Hardie fiber cement siding.
James Hardie has specially formulated a siding material to withstand Gulf Coast conditions. This material, HardieZone 10, is constructed from precise proportions of Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose to give it the durability it needs to remain functional and beautiful for decades. James Hardie siding’s unique composition creates several advantages:
- It is non-combustible and will not catch fire even when exposed to a direct flame.
- It contains no metal, so it will not rust or corrode.
- It used only minimal amounts of wood products, so it does not attract termites or woodpeckers
- It has a non-porous surface to repel moisture and the wet rot, mold, and mildew that come with it.
Selecting another siding material can expose your home to the ravages of nature and your bank account to the indignity of replacing it after just a few years.
Vinyl siding offers a budget-friendly siding option, but you usually get what you pay for, especially in coastal Florida. Even when it’s brand new, the vinyl siding looks cheap and synthetic. It can crack after prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
Though considered passe by some, wood siding is beautiful – so long as you devote the time to maintain it. Shingle or clapboard siding requires regular application of flame retardants and water sealants. Even then, it easily absorbs rainwater, sea spray, and humidity, which can cause it to swell, shrink, and warp.
Brick and stone siding alleviate these worries, but they are heavy and hard to install, which drives up the cost. Most Florida builders and homeowners eschew brick because it conducts the oppressive outdoor heat into the home. Either the indoor temperature or the monthly cooling bills quickly becomes unbearable. Stone siding must be cleaned continuously to prevent discoloration and inspections are necessary to ensure it doesn’t shift under its own weight, potentially damaging the home’s framing.
James Hardie siding products are as versatile as they are attractive and strong. The company has created several products in a variety of colors to help you make your Gulf Coast home unique:
- Hardie Plank – The most common choice, lap siding resembles rows of planks overlaid in shingle style and applied horizontally to the home’s exterior. James Hardie produces it in four distinct textures. Cedarmill has a wood grain and an earthy texture, Smooth has the wood grain removed. Beaded Cedarmill and Beaded Smooth include edges where the planks “overlap,” giving them a contemporary appearance that meshes nicely with the spirit of the South.
- Hardie Shingle – Conveying the shaker-style cladding common on Cape Cod homes, this siding can be used as the primary home covering or employed as accents and trim. Subdued color lends a peaceful feeling and the authentic essence of wood without its fragility.
- Hardie Panel – Installed vertically, Hardie Panel comes in either primed or pre-painted in neutral and matte finishes and delivers a more rustic appearance. The Cedarmill and Smooth surfaces offer additional flexibility.
- Hardie Trim and Hardie Soffit – Complementary and contrasting boards keep your home’s details – often the most difficult areas to protect – covered and looking great. These finishing touches create stunning columns, friezes, corners, and overhangs.
For even greater luxury, Artisan lap siding adds an artistic flair. Turn your home into a showplace, with thicker panels, sleek styling, and deeply recessed shadows. Or choose ColorPlus shades in vibrant colors baked on at the factory to provide superior resistance to scratching, peeling, and chipping.
Whichever James Hardie fiber cement product and finish you choose, you will be giving your home the best weather protection available. Coupled with Holeman’s flawless installation and strict adherence to the manufacturer’s guidelines, James Hardie siding will deliver decades of low-maintenance performance and timeless beauty.