This Durable Siding Is A Top Choice For New Homes–Here's Why

While your home’s siding may not be the most exciting decorative decision you’ll make for your house, it’s certainly one of the most important. It sets the stylistic tone, but it’s also the first line of defense between your home and the elements. For this year’s Idea House in Kiawah River, a waterfront community near Charleston, South Carolina, we opted for fiber cement, a sturdy, low-maintenance choice that’s an industry-favorite material. Here’s why the team at Dillard-Jones, the builder of our 2024 Idea House, recommends one particular brand of fiber cement siding to their own clients. 

“For the past 21 years, James Hardie fiber cement siding has been our preferred choice for plank siding,” says Jessica Smith, Senior Vice President at Dillard-Jones. “It offers an unbeatable combination of durability, low maintenance, aesthetic flexibility, environmental friendliness, and long-term cost-effectiveness, making it a reliable and attractive option for enhancing and protecting homes.”

Why It's A Smart Choice

Because it’s engineered from sustainable materials to withstand a wide range of weather conditions, from snow to intense heat, it’s also a smart choice for structures in coastal (and hurricane-prone) climates, like that of our 2024 Idea House. “Its robust construction ensures your home remains protected and looking great, regardless of what Mother Nature throws its way,” says Smith. It’s even fire resistant—a point proven by the James Hardie-clad homes that survived the 2021 wildfire which devastated the Grizzly Flats community in California.

Beyond its long list of practical benefits, James Hardie is also a design-oriented choice, with dozens of color offerings and siding styles, from those that evoke cedar shake to those that mimic board-and-batten. “Whether you’re aiming for a classic, modern, or unique appearance, this provides the flexibility to match your vision,” says Smith. Because we wanted our 2024 Idea House to feel like an historic farmhouse, our team opted for James Hardie’s HardiePlank Lap Siding, which gives the new build a sense of character and age.

Why It's An Investment

There is one downside: James Hardie’s fiber cement siding typically requires a bigger financial commitment upfront, especially when compared to other options. But it’s an investment that’s well worth it, says Smith: “This longevity means fewer replacements and repairs over the years, allowing homeowners to enjoy their beautiful exterior without constant upkeep.”