James Hardie vs. Everlast Siding
Siding is one of the first things people notice about a home, which means making the right choice of material and aesthetic can be crucial. For homeowners exploring the siding market, two of the most popular options are Everlast Composite Siding and James Hardie Fiber-Cement Siding. In this blog, we’ll delve into the advantages and disadvantages of each option and help you determine the best choice based on factors like climate, return on investment (ROI), and required maintenance.
How to Choose an Everlast Composite Contractor or James Hardie Siding Contractor?
The primary cause of siding repairs and attempted warranty claims is due to improper installation. As such, the initial step in your siding replacement process should be to ensure that the contractor you select is highly proficient in installing the specific type of siding you require. It’s crucial to note that an “approved contractor” certification from the siding manufacturer does not necessarily guarantee full expertise in installing that siding.
DO NOT FALL FOR THE “CONTRACTOR GIMMICKS”
These “badges” and “certifications” are often given to contractors as part of incentive rebate programs to use their products. Both Everlast and James Hardie have these certifications, but note that there are important differences. Everlast does not provide rebates and conducts thorough in-house training and inspections to ensure contractors are installing their product correctly before granting certification. On the other hand, James Hardie offers rebates to their contractors and does not always fully inspect final projects before certification.
Therefore, it is crucial to ask potential contractors specific questions about the installation process for each type of siding to ensure what you’re being told by the salesperson is accurate and up to date. Since Everlast and James Hardie have completely different installation requirements, it’s vital to make sure the crew handling your project is supervised by an expert in the specific type of siding being installed.
When interviewing potential Everlast or James Hardie contractors, asking them installation-related questions will quickly differentiate sales organizations from installation experts. Each product is installed uniquely, so understanding the specifics of the installation process is crucial. This is especially important because “improper installation” is a warranty exclusion detailed in both the Everlast and James Hardie warranty terms, meaning their warranty will not cover issues resulting from improper installation.
Additional James Hardie common installation mistakes can be read here.
How Does Climate Impact the Siding?
The climate has a significant impact on your siding and its ability to protect your home. Every material reacts differently to its environment, so it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each to choose the right siding for your home. While most siding is designed for ideal conditions, issues can arise in challenging climates. These include areas with summer temperatures regularly hitting 90°F or higher, and winters that frequently dip below freezing.
While James Hardie siding is durable in the initial years, it can deteriorate without professional maintenance. One of its weaknesses is its watertight sealant, known as caulk. In harsh climates, caulk can break down prematurely; under extreme hot and cold conditions, it may lose its adhesive properties and begin to crack. This typically occurs along areas where water runs, such as edges and corners, or in sections more exposed to UV rays, rain, or ice. These breakdowns create pathways for water to penetrate the siding. Additionally, these conditions can also affect the paint on James Hardie siding, causing the vibrant color to fade over time.
Everlast siding is made from polymer resin and is one of the most durable materials available. The color is derived from acrylic colorants added during production, bonding the color to the polymer and providing extreme resistance to fading. Everlast also features an interlocking system that keeps moisture out, eliminating concerns about sealant failure, because it requires zero caulking.
Everlast and James Hardie siding offer great durability and resistance to various climate conditions. However, considering the specific challenges presented by harsh environments such as extreme heat, freezing temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall Everlast stands out. Its low maintenance requirements and superior resistance to moisture and color fading make it a particularly compelling choice for those who want a long-lasting and hassle-free siding solution. When choosing siding for your home, it’s crucial to account for the climate conditions in your area to ensure that your investment will stand the test of time.
How Much Maintenance Does Each Siding Option Require?
It’s crucial to know the maintenance requirements for your siding, and you can usually find these details in the manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty will provide the time period and specifications for necessary upkeep. Here are the key maintenance details for Everlast and James Hardie siding.
Although James Hardie boasts a lifespan reflecting its 30-year warranty, this highly depends upon proper maintenance. Its biggest weakness is moisture, due to its fibrous and cementitious composition. If water gets into or behind the siding, it will begin a process of deterioration that can’t be stopped, and the affected piece must be replaced to prevent further damage. The most vulnerable part of James Hardie siding is at the caulk/sealant areas at the siding and trim junctions. Caulk begins to crack typically around the 7-10 years range, depending on the amount of UV at that junction. In harsh environments, like places that regularly experience 90-100 degrees during the summer months, or go below freezing during winter months, the timeline is typically reduced to 5-7 years. When caulk deteriorates, the water-resistant seal is broken, allowing moisture to infiltrate behind the siding and into the wall, leading to mold growth and creating an entry point for termites and other insects. Any physical damage to the siding must be repaired immediately to minimize water infiltration. Homeowners typically need to repaint James Hardie siding every 10 years to maintain its vibrant appearance. While the material itself is designed to last up to 30 years, achieving its full lifespan requires a significant investment of both time and money for regular maintenance.
Everlast boasts an even longer lifespan, lasting the lifetime of your home! Once installed, Everlast siding requires virtually zero maintenance. This is because Everlast doesn’t use caulk or paint and is made from inorganic materials, making it impossible to be impacted from insect damage, water damage, and is impervious to mold. The only real maintenance for Everlast siding is periodic washing away of dust and pollen with a garden hose.
According to Everlast’s website (“About Everlast”), “The face of Everlast products is made from a highly durable and fade-resistant acrylic colorant layer that is chemically bonded to the substrate. Then each Everlast plank or panel is embossed with Everlast’s CedarTouch finish – the imprint of a rough sawn plank of real top-grade cedar. The result is the most authentic and UV-resistant siding on the market.” Therefore, UV resistance makes it great for longevity in regards to aesthetics.
What Is The Return on Investment (ROI) With Everlast & James Hardie?
You should view your siding as a significant opportunity for investment. We’ve already established that siding is a standout feature of your home, so why not make it work for you? Here are some essential insights on how to invest in your siding and expect a strong return on investment (ROI).
Siding products that require little to no caulk are better investments over time due to the recurring expenses of re-caulking and repainting materials such as wood or fiber cement siding every 5-10 years. Each time a home needs re-caulking and repainting, it can cost between $8-$12 per square foot when done by a professional company. For an average home with 2,000 square feet of siding, this translates to a cost of $12,000 – $18,000. Given these figures, it makes sense for homeowners to choose a slightly more expensive product initially to save on long-term maintenance costs and risks of leaking at the siding/trim junctions.
For Example: When choosing siding for your home, it’s important to consider both the initial cost and long-term maintenance expenses. Let’s compare Everlast Composite Siding and James Hardie Siding.
Initial Costs:
- Everlast Composite Siding typically costs roughly $22-28 per square foot. For 2,000 square feet of siding on a home, that’s roughly $50,000.
- James Hardie Siding costs $15-20 per square foot. For the same home, that’s roughly $36,000-$38,000.
- At first glance from an “initial cost perspective,” James Hardie seems cheaper by $14,000.
Long-Term Costs:
- If you plan to stay in your home for less than 5 years, James Hardie can definitely be a cost-effective choice.
- However, if you stay for 5 years or more, James Hardie will most likely need to be resealed and repainted due to the UV splitting the caulk at the siding/trim junctions. This maintenance can cost between $8 and $12 per square foot now, but in 10 years, it might increase to $11-$15 per square foot due to rising costs.
- This means the total investment for that same James Hardie project could rise to $58,000 – $66,000 in 10 years.
Comparing Total Costs: It is important not to solely look at the initial cost when choosing your siding, try to think zoom out and look at the bigger picture by performing a “life-cylce cost analysis.” According to Science Direct website (“Life-Cycle Costs Analysis”, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/life-cycle-cost-analysis), “The objective of performing LCC analysis should be to choose the most cost-effective approach for using available resources over the entire lifespan of the product or system. The LCC provides a systematic process for evaluating and quantifying the cost impacts of alternate courses of action. It can be used to support trade-off analysis between several product design configurations, or as a measure of sensitivity of a specific product design to changes in selected performance parameters (such as reliability, maintainability and testability). Product quality can affect the distribution of costs between up-front program/manufacturing costs and field operation, and repair costs. Higher-quality products can minimize associated scrap and rework costs.
As shown in the example above, both the upfront costs and the ongoing maintenance expenses are crucial factors to consider. Initial costs can be deceiving and maintenance can be surprisingly expensive, which is often overlooked on many home improvement projects. By considering these long-term costs, you can make a smart investment that saves you money and hassle in the future. Keep in mind, the cost of a future project will be significantly more than current costs due to inflation and the increase of material and labor at the time of the future expenses.
What Is The Environmental Impact?
We are more aware than ever about the effects certain products can have on our health and the environment. It’s important that the materials used for your home are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
James Hardie is made from cement fiber and contains silica, a harmful substance when inhaled. During installation, contractors need to cut the siding to size, releasing silica dust into the air. This dust is dangerous and a known carcinogen to both humans and animals. It’s crucial to wear a mask or avoid the area during this process. Although James Hardie offers durability, its lifespan can be compromised by harsh climates, reducing its effective life span from 50 to around 20 years if not properly maintained. Speaking of maintenance, it’s important to note that you need to repaint James Hardie every 10 years. This adds to the materials needed to keep Hardie looking new, further adding to your carbon footprint. Additionally, over time, you will need to replace James Hardie siding due to its silica content and maintenance requirements, which also increases your carbon footprint.
Everlast, on the other hand, is made from polymer resin and is completely inorganic. It doesn’t contain any harmful substances, even when cut to size during installation. Everlast siding is designed to last the lifetime of your home, significantly reducing the need for replacement and thereby lowering your carbon footprint. Its interlocking system keeps moisture out without the need for caulk, eliminating concerns about sealant failure. Everlast’s color is bonded to the polymer with acrylic colorants, providing extreme resistance to fading. Everlast requires less materials and very low maintenance.
In terms of environmental impact and health safety, Everlast is the clear winner. It poses no potential harm to your health or the environment while also being a lifelong product. While James Hardie siding performs well once installed, it comes with some drawbacks, including the generation of silica dust during installation and the need for eventual replacement after 50 years—only if the siding has been properly maintained throughout its lifespan. Everlast provides a safer, more sustainable option for your home.
Who Has The Best Warranty?
We all want the peace of mind that comes with a great warranty, so understanding the warranties offered by different companies is crucial when choosing your siding. When shopping for siding, you also should be shopping for the most comprehensive warranty. It’s important to know that any warranty is voided by the siding manufacturer if the siding is installed incorrectly. Always look for companies that offer a longer than normal workmanship warranty, such as a lifetime workmanship warranty. This ensures that if anything is installed incorrectly and voids the manufacturer’s warranty, the installation company will take full responsibility, not the homeowner.
James Hardie offers a 30-year warranty starting from the purchase date of the materials. This covers any manufacturer’s defect or premature degradation of the siding. The warranty is transferable to the next homeowner. However, James Hardie’s warranty states that if the panels are not maintained properly or installed incorrectly, the warranty can be voided. Additionally, if any moisture penetrates the siding, the warranty will be voided. This means the first time a sealant joint fails and water permeates the panel/trim, the warranty can be voided.
Everlast offers a lifetime warranty starting from the purchase date of the materials. As long as the siding is installed correctly, there should be no problems with its longevity. The warranty is also transferable to the next owner, but once transferred, it changes to a 50-year warranty starting from the original purchase date.
While James Hardie offers a solid 30-year warranty, Everlast simply has one of the best in the market. A lifetime warranty provides unmatched peace of mind, ensuring you are getting the ultimate piece of mind with Everlast, a product not impervious to water.
How Durable Is Everlast and James Hardie?
Durability, along with aesthetics, are usually the top priorities for any homeowner when going to choose siding, so siding must withstand intense heat/cold temperatures, powerful wind storms, constant rainfall, hail storms, and saltwater (if near the coast), and constant high UV exposure.
James Hardie is marketed on its high durability against the elements. Though the product will stand up against the elements, this is only for the first couple years, as James Hardie requires a ton of maintenance. Also, it has not been tested by industry standards in regards to wind resistance nor impact class rating (Class impact Rating is how you rate impact resistant, such as hail). Keep in mind, Hardie is Miami-Dade County approved, but there is no specified mile-per-hour for wind resistance.
Due to Hardie being susceptible to water, it is crucial to keep a consistent eye for any cracks/breaks in the silicone panel/trim junctions. This is a big reason why maintenance must be performed regularly. In high UV coastal climates, the high and constant UV exposure will break down the silicone and it will start to crack and deteriorate as the years go by. The moment water finds a way in, it starts to soak into the material, making James Hardie board soft, brittle, and begins to deteriorate. No homeowner wants to have their siding, that was marketed to them as durable, start to break down because they forgot to adhere to the required maintenance protocols.
Everlast is specified at a 150 mph wind resistance. Everlast is also extremely impact resistant. Everlast is 500 times thicker than vinyl so it’s not vulnerable to blunt force damage. Everlast is also made of inorganic materials, and can’t hold any water so as we mentioned from a homeowners perspective this is ideal. Everlast also doesn’t require caulk, so there is no maintenance to be performed as the years go on.
Therefore, Everlast comes out on top again, boasting the highest durability ratings for wind and impact, with no maintenance required to maintain its strength. This underscores the recurring issue of upkeep. While James Hardie is durable, it demands regular maintenance for long-term longevity—whether through hiring a professional or purchasing materials for DIY care. This adds both time and expense, making Everlast the more convenient and cost-effective long-term choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Everlast and James Hardie are considered competitors, Everlast outshines in every category. Everlast offers a lifetime warranty, requires minimal maintenance, and won’t incur additional costs over time due to maintenance. Simply put, Everlast is the superior product. At Transform Charleston, we are trained Everlast installers with a project manager on site at all times to ensure every product is installed to state building code and manufacturer specifications. Additionally, we offer a lifetime workmanship warranty to ensure everything is installed correctly.
