The most popular styles of Hardie plank siding typically cost between $11.00 and $14.00 per square foot when professionally installed.
When premium Architectural Collection siding is considered, James Hardie plank siding can cost as much as $18.00 or more per square foot installed.
Standard Hardie plank siding is 5/16” thick (.3125”) and premium Hardie Architectural Collection is 5/8” (twice as thick @ .625”).
Terminology tip: Hardie plank siding is technically known as HardiePlank. The other products in this review are also called HardiePanel and HardieShingle.
Material vs Labor cost Per Square Foot: Expect to pay around $3.00 to $4.50 per square foot for standard Hardie siding and $6.00 to $8.00 for James Hardie Architectural Collection siding. These prices include all siding materials including accessories – Trim, corners, fascia and soffit and fasteners. These are material costs – no labor.
With professional installation costs as high as they’ve been in a generation, you can expect to pay between $7.00 and $10.00 per square foot in installation charges.
LP SmartSide vs Hardie siding price: Standard Hardie plank siding is slightly more expensive than LP SmartSide. The Architectural Collection siding is quite a bit pricier than LP composite siding.
How Much Does It cost to Install Hardie Siding on a House?
Siding a 2,000 square foot home with an attached garage costs $14,000 to $24,000 for standard HardiePlank siding. Premium James Hardie architectural siding costs $20,000 to $30,000 for the same house. Even with premium siding, professional installation labor is the largest part of the cost equation.
Average Hardie Siding Cost per Sq. Ft. for a Typical Installation
When you hire a siding contractor, the average cost per square foot is $11.00 to $14.00 for standard 5/16” Hardie plank siding whether you choose primed or painted siding. There are premium colors, called the Magnolia Home – James Hardie Collection that are a little more costly.
If you choose the 5/8” Architectural Collection siding, the average cost rises to $13.00 to $18.00 per square foot and tops out above $19.00.
What siding materials are used?
The list of materials produced by James Hardie includes:
- Siding – James Hardie makes standard planks, panels and shingle panels plus thicker planks and panels.
- Corners and trim around windows and at the roofline are used to finish the exterior siding.
- Fascia and soffit are used to cover the front and underneath the eaves.
The cost of the additional materials adds up. That’s why multiplying just the cost of the siding per square foot by the total surface area produces estimates that are too low by 20% to 35%.
Hardie Plank Siding Price List
This chart shows the material costs for all Hardie siding types. Prices include the cost of all materials needed for a proper installation including the siding, trim, soffit, etc.
*You don’t have to use Hardie soffit and fascia on your project. Standard fascia board and vented aluminum or vinyl soffit can be used and cost about half of Hardie prices.
| Standard Siding | |||
| Plank Lap Siding | Finish | Siding/sq.ft. | Installed/sq.ft. |
| Select Cedarmill & Smooth | Primed or Painted | $3.30 – $4.45 | $10.35 – $14.85 |
| Beaded Cedarmill & Smooth | Primed or Painted | $3.25 – $4.30 | $10.25 – $14.75 |
| Colonial Roughsawn & Smooth | Primed only | $3.35 – $4.45 | $10.50 – $15.00 |
| Architectural Collection | |||
| Artisan Siding | Finish | Siding/sq.ft. | Installed/sq.ft. |
| Square Channel & Shiplap | Primed only | $5.95 – $8.00 | $13.70 – $19.25 |
| V Groove | Primed only | $6.15 – $8.15 | $14.00 – $19.50 |
Other Hardie Siding Prices
| Standard Siding | |||
| Shingles | Finish | Material/sq.ft. | Installed/sq.ft. |
| Staggered Edge | Primed or Painted | $3.25 – $4.65 | $10.35 – $15.30 |
| Straight Edge | Primed or Painted | $3.45 – $4.90 | $10.65 – $15.50 |
| Vertical Panels | Finish | ||
| Select Cedarmill | Primed or Painted | $2.95 – $3.80 | $10.25 – $14.75 |
| Smooth | Primed or Painted | $3.30 – $4.00 | $10.65 – $15.15 |
| Stucco | Primed only | $2.95 – $3.85 | $9.85 – $14.75 |
| Sierra 8 | Primed only | $3.35 – $4.25 | $10.50 – $15.25 |
| Architectural Collection | |||
| Vertical Panels | Finish | Material/sq.ft. | Installed/sq.ft. |
| Fine Sand, Grooved, Mounded Sand, Seagrass | Primed | $5.80 – $7.85 | $13.45 – $18.75 |
| Artisan Siding | Finish | ||
| Square Channel & Shiplap | Primed | $5.95 – $8.00 | $13.70 – $19.25 |
| V Groove | Primed | $6.15 – $8.15 | $14.00 – $19.50 |
Cost of Hardie plank HZ5 and HZ10 siding: Prices are consistent around the country, though slightly higher in coastal areas with a high cost of living. HZ5 (northern climates) and HZ10 (southern & coastal climates) siding, explained in the Pros and Cons, are priced the same.
Hardie plank siding warranty is 30 years. It is not prorated. It lasts for 3 decades and then it ends – zero coverage after that.
Compare Hardie siding warranties to LP SmartSide? LP’s warranty is 50 years – but it is prorated from the second year through the 50th.
Which warranty is better? Most contractors would recommend a 30-year 100% warranty over a 50-year prorated warranty that’s worth only 40% coverage in year 30.
If manufacturing defects exist, they’ll show up in the first decade in most cases and by 20 years for sure. You’re better off with the full 100% HardiePlank warranty coverage for 30 years.
HardiePlank Siding Cost vs Other Siding Types
This chart allows you to compare Hardie siding and vinyl siding and other types.
| Material | Installed Cost/Sq.Ft. | 2,500 Square Foot Home |
| Vinyl Plank & Shake Combination | $7.50 – $12.50 | $18,750 – $31,250 |
| Hardie Plank Fiber Cement | $9.50 – $15.50 | $23,750 – $38,750 |
| Other Fiber Cement | $8.25 – $15.00 | $21,500 – $37,500 |
| Wood Composite Siding | $9.50 – $15.50 | $23,750 – $38,750 |
| Fiber Cement | $10.50 – $16.50 | $17,000 – $41,250 |
| Solid Wood | $9.50 – $16.50 | $23,750 – $41,250 |
| Brick & Stone | $12.50 – $25.00 | $31,250 – $62,500 |
HardiePlank Siding Calculator Tables
The national average installation is 1,250 square feet of siding. The Calculator starts at 1,000 square feet, and it takes the pricing up to 2,000 square feet of siding, enough to cover most homes with up to 3,000 square feet of interior space.
Cost by Home Size & Siding Series
Standard HardiePlank siding is by far the most popular Hardie product. However, so you can compare all options, this Hardie siding cost calculator includes HardiePanel, HardieShingle and the higher-cost Architectural Series James Hardie Collection.
| Standard Siding | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 1,500 Sq. Ft. | 2,000 Sq. Ft. |
| Plank Lap Siding | ||||
| Select Cedarmill & Smooth | $10,950 – $ 17,750 | $13,750 – $23,500 | $16,550 – $27,600 | $21,500 – $36,500 |
| Beaded Cedarmill & Smooth | $11,000 – $17,900 | $13,900 – $23,100 | $17,000 – $27,900 | $21,700 – $36,750 |
| Colonial Roughsawn & Smooth | $11,150 – $18,000 | $14,250 – $23,750 | $17,650 – $28,000 | $22,000 – $38,000 |
| Shingles | ||||
| Staggered Edge | $11,250 – $18,200 | $14,650 – $24,500 | $16,800 – $28,500 | $22,500 – $38,300 |
| Straight Edge | $11,400 – $18,500 | $14,900 – $25,250 | $17,000 – $28,750 | $22,750 – $38,800 |
| Vertical Panels | ||||
| Select Cedarmill | $10,900 – $17,850 | $13,600 – $22,850 | $16,200 – $28,750 | $21,600 – $37,700 |
| Smooth | $11,150 – $18,250 | $14,400 – $24,350 | $17,500 – $29,300 | $22,200 – $38,400 |
| Stucco | $11,000 – $18,000 | $14,000 – $24,000 | $17,400 – $28,800 | $21,900 – $38,000 |
| Sierra 8 | $11,300 – $18,350 | $14,200 – $24,550 | $17,600 – $29,550 | $22,400 – $38,500 |
| Architectural Collection | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | 1,250 Sq. Ft. | 1,500 Sq. Ft. | 2,000 Sq. Ft. |
| Artisan Siding | ||||
| Square Channel & Shiplap | $14,850 – $23,500 | $18,600 – $29,700 | $22,250 – $33,400 | $28,600 – $47,500 |
| V Groove | $15,000 – $24,000 | $19,250 – $30,300 | $23,000 – $34,400 | $29,500 – $48,700 |
| Vertical Panels | ||||
| 4 Styles | $14,400 – $22,900 | $18,000 – $28,850 | $21,550 – $29,000 | $28,000 – $46,500 |
Hardie Plank – What’s Available
Here are more details on the various James Hardie siding series.
| Hardieplank Siding | |||
| Plank Lap Siding | Finish | Lengths | Widths |
| Select Cedarmill & Smooth | Primed or Painted | 12 feet | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 Inches |
| Beaded Cedarmill & Smooth | Primed or Painted | 12 feet | 8 inches |
| Colonial Roughsawn & Smooth | Primed only | 12 feet | 8 inches |
| HardieShingle | Finish | Lengths | Widths |
| Staggered Edge | Primed only | 4 feet | 15 inches |
| Straight Edge | Primed or Painted | 4 feet | 15 inches |
| Vertical Panels | Finish | Lengths | Widths |
| Select Cedarmill | Primed or Painted | 12 feet | 48 inches |
| Smooth | Primed or Painted | 8, 9, 10, 12 feet | 48 inches |
| Stucco | Primed only | 8, 9, 10 feet | 48 inches |
| Sierra 8 | Primed only | 8, 9, 10 feet | 48 inches |
| Architectural Collection Siding | |||
| Vertical Panels | Finish | Lengths | Widths |
| Fine Sand, Grooved, Mounded Sand, Seagrass | Primed only | 8, 10, 12 feet | 48 inches |
| Artisan Siding | Finish | Lengths | Widths |
| Square Channel & Shiplap | Primed only | 12 feet | 10 inches |
| V Groove | Primed only | 12 feet | 8 inches |
What Is Hardie Siding? How Is It Made?
According to the James Hardie blog, Hardie Plank siding is “a durable, long-lasting and low-maintenance material.” Yes, but what is it?
Hardie fiber cement is a combination of Portland cement, sand, cellulose (wood) fibers and water. These are the basic ingredients for all fiber cement brands.
The material is mixed and formed into various products – plank siding, panels, shingle panels, trim, fascia, and soffit.
All the materials are primed. Some of the material is given a factory paint job – more than 600 colors are available. A range of Hardie ColorPlus colors is available. The warranty on factory-finish ColorPlus is 15 years. Hardie warrants that the finish will not peel, crack, or chip. And the paint warranty is prorated at a rate of 6.67% starting in year 2.
HardiePlank Siding Installation Costs
Labor costs are the largest reason for the significant rise in prices over the last 5 years.
From $3.00 to $6.00 per square foot for professional installation before the COVID pandemic, professional, warrantied labor rates are now $7.00 to $10.00 per square foot.
What are the factors – besides the fact that finding competent installers is very difficult and contractors must pay well to keep them?
House Complexity: Putting siding on a multistory home with a lot of corners, dormers, peaks, and other architectural features costs much more than simply installing siding on a basic ranch-style home.
Fiber Cement is Hard to Cut: Vinyl siding and even wood siding are easier to cut. More time, more dust and more used-up saw blades are all part of it, and costs are higher.
Location: Costs are highest in large coastal metro areas. Lowest estimates are given in small towns and rural areas of the Midwest and South.
Time of Year: The labor scarcity was mentioned. As a result, most siding contractors are as busy as they want to be during the peak home remodeling season. If you can even get an installer lined up, labor rates will be highest during this period.
Pros and Cons
You’re here for Hardie plank siding costs, so these pros and cons will be brief.
Here are Hardie plank siding advantages and disadvantages to consider before you buy.
Pros
Selection: Planks come in a variety of styles, either primed for you to paint or primed/painted at the factory. Siding options include accent shingle panels and larger 4’ wide panels for vertical installation.
Great curb appeal: The look of HardiePlank is clean and sharp, robust, more like wood than vinyl.
Paintable: It’s as easy to paint as wood – holds paint better than vinyl.
Better than wood: Advantages over wood include better resistance to water damage, insects, and woodpeckers.
The HardieZone System: Hardie studied 10 climate zones in the US and Canada and divided the zones into northern Region HZ5 (zones 1-5) and southern HZ10 (6-10). As a result, it developed two formulas for its fiber cement.
HZ5 HardiePlank is designed for freezing temperatures and ice. HZ10 siding provides better protection against high humidity, tropical storm winds and high heat. So what? You won’t find this kind of differentiation with other fiber cement and composite siding brands.
Cons:
Cost: Installed prices are $4.00 to $8.00 per square foot higher than vinyl siding. They are similar to the cost of real wood siding.
Weight: Fiber cement planks are heavy, and they’ll snap if stressed. As a result, it requires two people to carry and install each plank. This slows the process and raises installation labor costs.
Water Damage: It resists water damage better than wood, but it isn’t impervious to it. If the inner core is exposed through a scratch, chip, or wear (like from a bush rubbing on it in wind), water will get into the wood fiber core and cause swelling.
Wood-like, but not wood: While an impressive alternative Hardie plank siding doesn’t have the genuine look, feel and aroma of real wood.
It needs periodic painting, like wood. Vinyl does not.
Durability – How Long Does HardiePlank Siding Last?
You can expect James Hardie siding to last 35-45 years with consistent maintenance.
Does Hardie fiber cement siding last longer than other siding options?
- Other fiber cement siding: 25 – 45 years
- Vinyl siding: 12 – 25 years
- SmartSide and other wood composite siding: 20 – 35 years
- Solid wood siding: 50 years to indefinitely
- Brick and Stone: 75 years to indefinitely
To ensure the best longevity for HardiePlank siding:
- Choose factory painted siding. The Hardie ColorPlus siding comes with a 15-year warranty, though you might want to paint it earlier for a change in color or because the finish is slightly faded.
- Keep a solid coat of paint on the material.
- Fix damage ASAP. If the surface is scratched through, it is essential to promptly cover the damage with quality primer and paint. The reason is that if water soaks into the core, it will swell. The plank or other piece of siding will have to be replaced.
- Trim landscaping to remain clear of the siding. Bushes blowing in the wind, for example, will wear off the finish. And damp vegetation is a threat to fiber cement if it lays against the siding.
- Keep gutters clear and in good condition to prevent excessive water on the siding.
- Position sprinklers so that they don’t get the siding wet.
Primed vs Pre-painted Siding – Which is Better?
Choosing pre-painted siding, when it’s an option and you find a color you like, is preferred for these reasons:
Durability: The factory paint coating lasts longer (15-year warranty) and provides better protection than most house paint.
Cost: It saves you money vs. choosing primed siding and hiring a painting contractor to paint it. DIY painting will save you up to $1.00 per square foot when the cost of paint and supplies are factored in.
FAQ
What is Hardie siding made of?
It’s a proprietary blend of Portland cement, fine sand, wood/cellulose fibers and water.
Is Hardie plank siding better than real wood?
Yes, because it is less prone to rot and impervious to insects like termites.
No because it doesn’t have the texture and appeal of genuine wood siding.
If I used painted Hardie siding, will I ever have to paint again?
Yes. Expect the siding to need paint in 12-15 years and then every 5-8 years after that.
Was there a class action lawsuit against Hardie siding?
Yes. There have been several lawsuits. The earliest occurred when Hardie was using first-generation fiber cement siding, and it wasn’t very good. The formulation and manufacturing process has changed. The recent 2018 class action lawsuit was dismissed – the court found in favor of James Hardie Building Products.
What is the Hardie plank siding warranty?
30 years, non-prorated, on the siding and 15 years on the ColorPlus factory paint finish.
How often does Hardie plank siding need to be replaced?
Most homeowners will need to replace the siding in 30-45 years.
Will Hardie siding look good on my house?
Yes – and you can explore its appearance using the Hardie Home Visualizer. The major problem with the visualizer is that it doesn’t allow you to upload a picture of your home, as other visualizers do. You must choose from various designs on the site.
Is Hardie siding good for cold climates?
Yes. It handles temperature changes well, and when the paint on it is in good condition, it won’t be damaged by freeze-and-thaw cycles.
Is Hardie siding good for humid climates?
Yes. Hardie HZ10 siding is formulated for warm, humid climates. It won’t absorb moisture or suffer other types of water damage when covered with factory paint or premium paint applied once installed.
Does Hardie siding deteriorate?
No, not if it is maintained. However, if the paint finish is scratched, and the siding gets wet, eventually the siding will swell and need to be replaced.
Is Hardie plank siding environmentally friendly?
It is not the most eco-friendly siding option. It is a low-VOC siding. However, more energy is used in the production of cement products than wood products. And most fiber cement siding goes to a landfill when removed. It is not recycled.
What else is Hardie siding called?
HardiePlank, Hardie board, HardiePanel, James Hardie and fiber cement siding.
Is there an insurance discount for HardiePlank?
In fire-prone areas, home insurance discounts for using fire-resistant materials like Hardie siding might be available from your insurer.
Are there any other Fiber Cement Siding options besides James Hardies?
Yes, two other prominent fiber cement siding options to explore are Allura and Nichiha siding.