Does James Hardie Fiber Cement Cost More Than Vinyl 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.

Things That Impact Siding Installation Costs in the Kansas City Area

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.