The weather can take a heavy toll on Austin residential roofing and siding. Strong straight-line winds and powerful gusts can cause damage on their own, but they are also capable of carrying surprisingly heavy objects that can cause damage when they strike your home. Hail is very common in Central Texas, and hailstones as large as or larger than golf balls inflict significant property damage every year. Hot summer weather, high levels of ultraviolet radiation, and frequent downpours can damage or age your siding. Therefore, when you are choosing siding for a new home or replacing your existing siding, you want to make sure that you select a product that will be able to withstand the weather for many years. At the same time, you probably want an attractive siding that will require little maintenance. James Hardie siding offers all of these benefits and a few more.
Why it matters.
1. James Hardie engineers its siding products to match the climate in specific regions. In the Austin area, homeowners do not worry about the damage that three feet of snow might do to their new roof, but the effects of triple-digit summer temperatures, high humidity levels, and harsh sunlight may generate a bit more concern. These conditions are the ones that James Hardie considered when researching and engineering siding for Central Texas. However, most other siding materials are not available in region-specific designs.
2. Wood siding is very susceptible to damage from insects, woodpeckers, and rot. Because James Hardie manufactures fiber cement siding, there is nothing to attract termites, woodpeckers, carpenter ants, and other pests. When correctly installed and maintained, your James Hardie siding will also be extremely resistant to rot and decay.
3. James Hardie siding offers superior resistance to fire. The siding itself will not burn the way that wood and vinyl can ignite. Furthermore, vinyl siding can melt when exposed to heat, and it can emit toxic fumes if it burns. Although insurance companies vary, premiums for homes with James Hardie siding can be as much as 14% less than comparable homes with vinyl siding.
4. Curb appeal is essential to many homeowners. James Hardie siding is available in styles that mimic virtually any siding, including wood shakes, cedar shingles, and wood lap boards. The manufacturers of vinyl siding may attempt to produce styles that resemble wood, but their efforts fall short.
5. Whether you want your siding to match or contrast with your home’s roof, brickwork or architecture, you can select the perfect color from James Hardie’s extensive range of baked-on finishes. Choosing to have the finish applied at the factory will give your siding superior resistance against fading when compared to vinyl siding and painted wood siding.
6. James Hardie siding is an extremely low-maintenance product. Wood siding requires frequent painting or staining to seal out moisture and keep the wood from rotting or warping. Most homeowners find that a quick spray with a garden hose to remove any dirt or debris is all the cleaning that their James Hardie siding requires. The baked-on finishes typically do not need fresh paint for at least 15 years. Other than checking and replacing the caulk occasionally, James Hardie siding usually requires no additional maintenance.
7. James Hardie siding resists events and conditions that often destroy wood and vinyl siding. James Hardie siding has superior resistance to impacts, and it can withstand the Texas summers without buckling, warping, or cracking.
If you would like to discuss a James Hardie siding installation, contact the experts at Alpha Roofing. We are a highly respected Austin roofing and siding contractor serving homeowners throughout Central Texas. In addition to siding installation. Our roof services include the installation of asphalt shingles and metal roofing systems, roof repairs, flat roof replacements, chimney repairs, skylight installations, flashing repairs, and commercial roofing systems. For a free quote, call one of our helpful representatives at 512-777-1086 or use the online form to send us your information.