Thread: hardiplank or wood siding

Originally Posted by drumaero

I am considering replacing the siding on my home, and am curious whether or not to go with hardiplank fiber cement or wood. I am wondering if there is a difference in how each material might affect the value of my home when I eventually sell. I asked a local realtor and he said without a doubt that everyone prefers wood. But from everything I have heard about hardiplank it seems much more durable and less maintenance required. So from that standpoint it would seem like more people would prefer that.

The bottom line is I want to improve the value of the home. Either material will be expensive, so I would rather go with the one that gets me the most bang for my buck in terms of increasing the value of my home. Any opinions?

The problem with picking a siding in hopes of increasing the value of your home is that different siding products gain the lime light in different sets of years. Right now in most areas of the country hardiplank is the most popular siding product on the market. I personally would say that it is the best quality and most durable product but it does little more than any other siding product for aesthetics. So, even right now while hardiplank is very popular it does not command much of a premium. The most you are likely to get above any other product is a few hundred dollars when you go to sell your home. I am afraid to say that this is the case for wood siding products as well. A handful of people will only buy a home that has wood siding because they like the curb appeal that it gives the home. This group of people does not create enough of an increase in demand to raise the value of a home much above a home with any other siding product.

I know what you probably wanted was a difinitive go with product A kind of answer but this type of answer really does not exist. You should pick a siding product that you feel the most comfortable with that conforms to those products used in your neighborhood. If you go with a product that is more expensive than the norm then you will most likely gain little of the difference, if anything, back when you sell your home. Now if you choose a product that is lower quality than your neighborhood then you will see a penalty from a number of home buyers thereby giving you less money than the home should have commanded.

The only home improvement projects that really have a chance to increase the value of a home by any margin are well done integrated additions, quality kitchen remodels, quality bathroom remodels, and in some cases an addition of a bathroom if it increases the number of bathrooms in the house to the modern norm. I hope my book here has been of help to you and I am sorry I couldn't give you the answer you wanted.

Originally Posted by drumaero

I asked a local realtor and he said without a doubt that everyone prefers wood. But from everything I have heard about hardiplank it seems much more durable and less maintenance required.

Maybe it is different in you area, but Hardiplank is currently the siding of choice for new construction and people looking to remodel. You are correct it is touted to be way less maintenance and more durable which is why lots of people are using it.

Cement fiber board is the choice of builders because it is cheaper as there is no waste.

Cement fiber board (CFB) is not more durable than cedar and requires more maintenance than cedar. The cement in the fiber board makes up just a small % of the composition. The majority of the product is fiber board.

During installation CFB must be blind nailed, meaning the nails are covered by the next layer of siding, or water will penetrate and the CFB will swell around the nail holes. I have seen this happen.

When a fiber board is cut to fit in place the cut needs to be painted. All seams between the boards need to be caulked from behind as they are installed.

Painting can not be delayed like it can with cedar because of the water penetration problem.

It is very rare to find cement fiber board installed correctly.

If you have any doubt as to the durability of cement fiber board, get a piece of it and a piece of cedar and put both in a bucket of water for a couple of days. The fiber board will turn into mush. I know some custom builders who refuse to use cement fiber board.

If it's time for you to replace siding then surely others in the neighborhood have had to do it as well. Ask around for names, numbers of contractors you want to consult. You will also be able to find out who to stay away from. when people are not pleased with the service or product they are not shy about telling anyone who will listen.