Does James Hardie Fiber Cement Cost More Than Vinyl Siding?

Categories: Home Improvement, James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding, Siding, Types of Siding, Vinyl Siding| Posted: June 23, 2017

types of kansas city siding

Kansas City area homeowners shopping for siding soon discover there are many things to consider before making a final decision. Of course, one of the biggest factors is siding installation cost.

Why do some siding choices cost significantly more? Is the extra cost worth it?

Determining What Siding Material You Want

Your first decision – and the one that will have the most impact on your overall project cost – is what material to install on your home.

For many Kansas City area homeowners, the choice often comes down to vinyl vs. fiber cement. Fiber cement siding will usually cost anywhere from 25% to 50% more than vinyl siding (counting both material and installation).

Comparing Kansas City Siding Installation Cost

Since fiber cement is more expensive than vinyl, should you even consider it?

We think you should at least explore fiber cement options, and we’ll use the specific example of James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding to explain why.

James Hardie is the best example of this type of siding, having pioneered the use of fiber cement siding in the mid-1980s and continuing to be the industry leader today.

James Hardie Siding Kansas City Prices

While James Hardie is still usually a less expensive option than full wood siding, it will always cost more than vinyl. Here are the main reasons why:

Cost Of Materials & Manufacturing

Wood and vinyl are easier to source and produce. James Hardie is a special composite of many different components, including cement, cellulose fibers, and sand. It’s not just what goes into it, however, it’s also the years of research and development that went into perfecting the proprietary mixture exclusive to James Hardie.

Even though there are higher costs to produce fiber cement siding, the final product is an extremely durable material that can withstand the elements for decades.

Elite-Level Installation

Fiber cement siding requires a higher-level of expertise than vinyl siding installation. Fiber cement is more substantial than flimsier materials like vinyl, but that also makes it heavier and more challenging to work with.

This means that James Hardie Fiber Cement siding requires better-qualified installers, and more of them, and that adds to siding installation costs. Of course, it’s a good feeling to have more elite-level skilled people working on your home – you have peace of mind that your project is being done right.

3 Other Things That Impact Siding Installation Cost For Kansas City Homeowners

Regardless of whether you end up selecting vinyl or fiber cement, there are three other factors to consider that effect the cost of siding installation.

#1 The Contractor You Select

Some homeowners think they should always select the cheapest bid for siding installation. The assumption is that all installation is pretty much the same, and anyone charging more must be padding profits.

Pricing is more complex than that, and bargain-basement prices are usually a big red flag. The danger of this is unqualified installers, unprofessional service, and inferior products. Those low prices have hidden costs.

Of course, there are also Kansas City exterior companies that use high-quality as an excuse to overcharge; you want to avoid them, too.

There is a great shortcut to determining if you’ll get good value from a contractor: check out their online reviews. Do they have a lot of them? Are people generally somewhere between very satisfied and ecstatic? That’s a great sign that you’ll get your money’s worth.

#2 The Options You Select

As with most home improvement projects, you’ll have choices on style and optional features that will affect cost. The good news here is that you’ll have total control on what you choose to add.

#3 The Size Of Your Home

Obviously, the size of your home is a huge factor in siding installation prices. Whatever Kansas City siding company you choose will inevitably calculate costs based on the square footage of your home.

Of course, you’ll often be offered a quantity discount on the cost per square foot for larger homes. For example, a 1,500-square foot home will have a lower overall price than a 2,500-square foot home, but the cost per square foot will usually be a little higher.

Even when you’re given a discount per square foot, the bottom line is exactly what you’d expect: bigger homes will pay more overall for siding installation projects.

Is It Worth It To Pay More For James Hardie Siding Installation?

When overall value is considered, James Hardie Siding is one of the best options for improving your home.

It’s durable and strong, and lasts for decades.
It’s more beautiful than vinyl, and matches the attractiveness of wood, without all the maintenance required by wood options. The extra beauty of James Hardie adds to your enjoyment of your home, and increases its value.
Speaking of home values, year-after-year, Remodeling Magazine has ranked re-siding with fiber cement the #1 return on investment when compared to other mid-size remodeling projects.

Of course, just because James Hardie Siding has these benefits does not make it the right choice for every homeowner and every situation. The lesser cost to install vinyl siding sometimes will be the deciding factor, depending on your budget and goals.

The best idea is to do online research, and then contact an experienced, professional Kansas City siding company for a consultation. A free consultation tailored specifically for your siding project will give you the final pieces of the puzzle to make an informed decision about siding and costs.

Did You Know: Johnson County Siding & Window Co., Inc. is a Preferred James Hardie Remodeler who has won the James Hardie Service Excellence Award in 2016 & 2017. Contact us today. We’d love to help you with your remodeling project.

The Kansas City Homeowner’s Guide to Siding Replacement – 2017 Edition

Categories: Home Improvement, Siding, Types of Siding, Vinyl Siding| Posted: June 19, 2017

2017 kansas city homeowners guide to siding replacement

Anytime you make an investment in your home, you need to get it right the first time.

That’s especially true when replacing your siding. The cost in time, money, and headaches is too high if the project goes badly.

The best way to avoid problems is to educate yourself.

Here’s what Kansas City homeowners need to know about siding replacement in 2017.

First Things First… Is It Worth It To Replace Your Siding?

If you aren’t satisfied with the appearance of your home, new siding is the fastest way to totally transform the curb appeal of your home.

Nothing covers as much of the exterior of your home as siding and the impact of a makeover is immediate and total. Many homeowners find the results to be the most satisfying of any home improvement project they ever do.

Of course, siding is about more than looking good.

If you have loose, cracked, or damaged siding, moisture is likely penetrating. That could be causing structural problems to your home now and costly repairs later.

Siding is your defense against these elements. Choose tough and durable siding; that’s especially important in the Kansas City area, with temperature extremes and occasionally harsh storms.

If you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your home or if your current siding is in disrepair, it’s time to replace it.

Make Sure Your Siding Gives You These Benefits

Once you’ve decided to move forward with the project, you’ll want to get the most for your money. Insist on the following benefits:

Easy Exterior Maintenance. Most siding today makes caring for your home’s exterior very easy. An occasional cleaning is all you will need. Fiber cement siding and vinyl siding are both great choices for keeping maintenance to an absolute minimum.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency. Many Kansas City homeowners focus only on windows, doors, and insulation to improve energy efficiency. Those are important, but siding also has a key role in energy savings.

Don’t miss the opportunity to make your home more efficient when replacing your siding. A good Kansas City area exterior company will clearly explain how different choices impact a home’s energy loss.

Increase Your Home’s Value. Siding dominates the impression your home makes from the outside and that has a big impact on its value. Pick a siding that is beautiful now and will also maintain its appearance for decades.

For example, fiber cement siding is a particularly good choice to increase a home’s value. Year-after-year, Remodeling Magazine has ranked re-siding with fiber cement the #1 return on investment when compared to other mid-size remodeling projects.

Get Something That YOU Love. This last benefit might be the least tangible but most important: you should get siding that you absolutely LOVE.

The way to get what you want is to choose a siding company with enough options to help you find something that suits your exact taste and budget. Too many Kansas City siding companies want to rush the process and push you into one particular brand or material.

Instead, select a siding installer that takes the time to educate you on your options and helps you find what you REALLY want. You want to be proud and happy with your choice every time you pull into the driveway.

What Material Is Best For Siding Replacement in Kansas City?

Once you’ve decided what benefits are most important to you, it’s time to think about materials.

Here are the 3 most common choices:

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is still the most popular siding material in the U.S. The reasons are many.

It doesn’t need painting. It also won’t warp, twist, peel, or fade (as long as you select a high-quality option). It never needs painting and insects can’t bore into it. It is also less expensive than other options.

Some potential drawbacks: it is not as attractive as fiber cement siding and some kinds of vinyl are low-quality and are more subject to cracking.

The key with vinyl is to select siding from a trusted manufacturer. One particularly good vinyl option is Mastic siding from PlyGem. (See the ‘Vinyl Example’ below for more information).

The bottom line: vinyl is a good option if you select a top-quality vinyl, have it installed by a proven company, and if the investment in fiber cement siding is more than you want to spend.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose. One of the many benefits of this choice is that it looks like real wood, but without the drawbacks.

Unlike wood, it does not require heavy maintenance. It gives your home an elegant look and the color selection is excellent. You can get it in a wide selection of colors.

One thing you want to be sure to check is the warranty on the finish. (James Hardie brand siding has a particularly strong overall warranty – see ‘Fiber Cement Example’ below).

In summary, fiber cement is very durable, requires much less maintenance than wood, and is more beautiful than vinyl.

Wood Siding

Wood looks terrific and offers a traditional charm. That said, it’s not recommended. Wood is more expensive than vinyl or fiber cement and it’s subject to rot, insects and other critters.

It also requires regular painting, staining, or refinishing.

Kansas City area homeowners who want something as beautiful and charming as wood can choose fiber cement siding and avoid all these drawbacks.

Selecting A Kansas City Siding Installer

Here is the single most important decision you can make when getting new siding installed: what exterior company will you choose?

Quality in this industry is extremely variable. You’ll find anything from a ‘guy and his truck’ all the way up to huge companies that are essentially big sales and marketing machines with very high prices.

Let’s look in more detail at these options.

Low-Price Options

Be very cautious with companies that only talk about low prices. That’s often a sign they don’t have much else to recommend them.

‘Bargain-basement’ pricing often means the project will be plagued by headaches and stress. These ‘guy and his truck’ installers go out of business quickly, too. You’ll have no one to call if there’s a problem down the road.

High-Quality, Outrageous Prices?

You also want to avoid siding companies that charge outrageous prices. High-quality is not a reason to pay exorbitant prices. Many times these companies charge way too much to justify large advertising budgets and big sales teams.

Here Is What To Look For Instead…

The sweet spot is to find a proven company that charges reasonable and fair prices for top-quality siding and installation.

Here is a handy 6-point checklist for qualifying any Kansas City siding company:

Have they been in business a long time? (We recommend a MINIMUM of at least a decade in business).
What does their website look like? Is it filled with quality content and professionally designed? This can be a big clue to a company’s competence.
Do they have any awards? Are they A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau? Do they belong to quality professional associations like the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI)? These are all signs of a company that cares about the details.
Check out their online reputation. Do they have a lot of reviews? Are they almost all positive? Lots of quality reviews is the single best proof you’ve found a quality Kansas City siding installer. Look for quality and quantity of reviews across multiple review sites.
Ask questions about their installers. Do they bid out the work and choose the lowest-bidding sub-contractor? Do they use temporary labor? Many companies are essentially a sales company that farms out the actual work to others. You want a company that has fully certified installers that have proven experience.
Once last thing to think about. The consultation and quote process can tell you a lot about the company. Are they friendly and professional? Do they avoid sales pressure and work collaboratively with you to give you the information you need to make your own decision?

Don’t settle for a company that rushes you or pressures you. You’re investing your hard-earned money and deserve better than a stressful experience.

Remember, nothing will be more important in this process than the siding company you select. The chosen company will determine the durability of your installation, the quality of the products, and your actual remodeling experience.

Examples of Excellent Replacement Siding

Although it can be hard to sort through all the choices and find the best siding brands, there are quality options available. The last part of this guide provides two examples of superb-quality siding.

This is not to say that these two brands are the only quality options available, but it will give you an idea of what you should look for when replacing your siding. Use it as a point of comparison with any other siding you are considering.

Vinyl Siding Example: Mastic Siding By PlyGem

The quality of vinyl siding can vary widely. Look for a rich textured appearance, thicker gauge, and a warranty.

Here are the advantages of Mastic Vinyl Siding from PlyGem:

Manufacture is proven, been in business for 70+ years.
Virtually maintenance-free; just needs occasional washing.
Doesn’t rot, warp, crack, or split.
Multiple style options, like combining horizontal & vertical siding plus shakes & shingles.
A terrific warranty, in writing.

Fiber Cement Siding Example: James Hardie

James Hardie invented fiber cement siding more than 30 years ago and has stayed ahead of generic fiber cement options.

Here are some facts to use when comparing it to other choices:

It’s not a risky choice; it’s been installed on over 5.5 million homes in the U.S.
Engineered precisely for the specific climate where it will be installed.
HardiePlank Lap Siding is backed by The Good Housekeeping Seal.
James Hardie® invented fiber cement siding more than 30 years ago and has stayed miles ahead of generic fiber cement options.
It’s 5 times thicker than vinyl, is non-combustible, and is known for its return on investment.

While there are other quality replacement siding options in Kansas City, we recommend doing a point-by-point comparison with Mastic Siding or James Hardie before making a final decision.

If you still have questions, the team at JOCO Siding & Window Co. would love to answer them! Contact us here.

3 Questions Kansas City Homeowners Must Ask About Energy Efficient Windows In 2017

Categories: Energy Efficient Windows, Home Improvement, Replacement Windows| Posted: June 9, 2017

Finding the best, most energy-efficient replacement windows is important anywhere, but it’s especially key here in the Kansas City area.

We have broiling hot summers and icy cold winters, and those extremes create big spikes on energy bills.

Many homeowners would love to replace their old, inefficient windows, but they get overwhelmed by confusing claims.

It can be especially challenging to sort through the claims here in 2017 because of advances in energy-efficient technology. There’s just so much more to choose from.

The biggest favor you can do yourself is to streamline the process.

You can do that by asking 3 simple but powerful questions of any Kansas City replacement window company.

Question #1: ‘What independent ratings tell me how energy-efficient your windows are?’

One rating to pay attention to is the U-Factor. The lower this number, the more resistant the window is to heat flow. Less heat flow makes for a more efficient window.

Another key rating is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). That measures how much solar radiation is getting through the window. The lower the SHGC, the more efficient the window.

Also, be sure that your energy-efficient windows meet the most up-to-date ENERGY STAR® requirements. Windows that can’t at least meet this standard should not be put on Kansas City homes.

Question #2: ‘What is the experience level of your installers and do you have proof of their quality?’

When it comes to energy-efficiency and replacement windows, the quality of the installation matters.

Poorly installed windows become drafty or leaky. Sloppy installation can wipe out the energy savings that you otherwise get from newer, more efficient windows.

It’s unfortunate, but many Kansas City replacement window companies choose to save on installation costs. They hire the lowest-bidding sub-contractor or inexperienced temporary labor.

Choose a company with proven installers and a long track-record. That’s how you’ll get maximum benefit from your new windows.

Question #3: ‘What glass packages do you offer?’

The number one most important factor in a window’s energy efficiency is the quality of the glass. There are double and triple pane options, argon gas fillers, glazing, and more. All this impacts energy savings.

Almost any company can offer your different glass package options, so it’s not necessarily about the number of glass choices given to you. What’s more important is the QUALITY of the answer you get.

Look for a window company that educates you and avoid those companies just trying to “sell” you.

Also, find a window representative that demonstrates deep knowledge of the different glass packages available and makes professional recommendations. Avoid those companies that take a few quick measurements and then hand you a vague quote.

A Final Recommendation

There is one last question to ask, and this is one you need to ask yourself:

‘Am I comfortable that I completely trust this window company?’

How a company handles the consultation and quote process is a good clue to how they’ll handle the entire job.

It’s also a good idea to do a little additional research online. Visit their website and check out their online reviews, too.

By asking these 3 questions of any window contracting company and judging the professionalism of the answers, you can make the task of shopping for energy efficient replacement windows in Kansas City much easier.

Johnson County Siding & Window Co. is a trusted name in replacement windows in the Kansas City area. If you want to learn more about our replacement windows and how we can help lower your monthly utility bills, contact us today!

Vinyl Siding From Different Sides: Which Style is Right For Your Home?

Categories: Home Improvement, Siding, Types of Siding, Vinyl Siding| Posted: April 20, 2017

Like many building materials and methods, vinyl siding has evolved.

Today’s vinyl siding options allow you to provide a low-maintenance and eco-friendly renovation to your home, while also improving the appearance.

PlyGem’s Mastic line, for example, is a leader in vinyl siding. Their innovations include different lines, colors, and textures so that you can match the siding to the architecture of your home—from traditional to contemporary.

So, which style is right for your home?

Lap siding looks like clapboard, with horizontal lines. Some types of lap siding, like Quest and Carvedwood, have been engineered to closely resemble wood clapboard.

Charleston, a Southern architectural classic, features the crisp lines of contemporary bead board. Dutch lap is a style of vinyl siding that has a decorative groove that adds a strong shadow line to the side of your home. Many of Mastic’s vinyl siding styles include a Dutch Lap option.

Vertical siding is used on an entire exterior or as accent panels on certain architectural styles. Mastic’s Board + Batten Designer Series is versatile for a wide range of homes and works in either whole house cladding or as accents. Ventura and Pro-Bead present a softer look for vertical siding, like wainscoting.

The lines of your vinyl siding can be subtle or dramatic, depending on your choice.

Johnson County Siding & Window Company has been serving homeowners throughout the Kansas City region for 30 years. Let our knowledge and experience guide you to the right choice of siding for your home.

The reviews are in! Johnson County Siding gets GuildQuality’s highest scores.

Categories: Fun Facts, In The News| Posted: April 14, 2017

The best reward any company can earn is a satisfied customer. So, we were excited and proud to learn we received the 2017 Guildmaster Award—our third (so far).

The Guildmaster Award is given by GuildQuality to building and remodeling professionals who demonstrate service excellence. The choices are based on customer reviews and responses to a satisfaction survey.

Johnson County Siding & Windows earned a perfect, five-star rating! We’d like to thank our customers who took the time to share their experience with our services. The score was based on 198 customers who responded to GuildQuality’s survey.

Mary K. said, “I rated the company with all highest ratings, because that reflects my experience with them. They were just wonderful and I would use them again.”

Steve S. told GuildQuality, “Bill Christie and his crew (Bill and Justin) did a great job installing replacement windows on our house. They were very professional and were very patient answering whatever questions we presented them.”

We recently installed siding on a home in Kansas City, and the homeowner had this to say about our work: “Johnson County Siding did a great job replacing our siding. We had multiple companies come out to give us estimates and they were the most reasonable estimate. I trusted them to do a great job and they delivered above and beyond. They stand by their work and I would definitely recommend them.”

In the categories of Construction Quality, Problem Resolution, Sales Project Design, Trust, Likely to Recommend, Expertise Remodeler, Salesperson Knowledge, and Value, every customer gave us their highest recommendation.

Johnson County Siding & Windows has been a GuildQuality member since 2013. We joined this organization because it demonstrates our commitment to our customers. If you’re looking for a builder, remodeler, or contractor, check out the customer reviews on this site.

And if you’re thinking about fiber cement or vinyl siding or replacement windows for your home in the Kansas City region, please talk to us!

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