Colorado is a land of extremes, featuring everything from mountains to plains to deserts, and with weather that follows suit. As you can probably imagine, exterior siding doesn’t always like extreme conditions. If your siding is starting to sag or blister, you can be sure it is none too pleased with its home environment. To save yourself and your home a lot of grief, turn to the siding that endures what others cannot. Turn to James Hardie siding, and give your Colorado home the support it needs.

Top Home Improvement Project: Replace Your Siding

Imagine the day has come when you look around your home and crave something more. Perhaps smaller. Perhaps larger. Whatever the underlying factors, you’re ready to start fresh somewhere else. The only problem is that your home appraisal value keeps coming up short. Your Colorado home took a beating from hail and harsh snowstorms during the last few years, and the siding isn’t nearly as attractive as it used to be. It’s also outdated, and outdated never sells in real estate.

One way to improve the appraisal value and boost curb appeal is to replace your siding. Once you remove the old, cracked siding and install James Hardie siding, you can then bring in the appraiser for another evaluation. Other upgrades, such as new interior paint and new kitchen appliances, would certainly help as well. If all goes according to plan, you should see a boost in your appraisal value. This can help you get the most money from the sale — and help you afford the perfect new home, whether you’re moving to Denver, Littleton, Greenwood Village or somewhere else entirely.

Even if you’re not looking to move, your home can still benefit from new siding. This home improvement project can save you money over the long term by reducing your maintenance costs and protecting your home from the elements. Have you noticed an increase in your heating and cooling bills? Damaged siding might not be doing its job any longer, which means the hot and cool air are creeping in where they’re not wanted.

In addition, gaps and cracks in your siding can act as a welcoming mat for various critters. From ants to mice to spiders, certain pests will likely be drawn to the access points in your home. If you have wood siding, you might even draw in termites or woodpeckers, both of which could cause serious damage to your Colorado home over time. The ideal solution is to replace your existing siding with James Hardie siding, which can help you enjoy your home for years to come.

But First, What Is James Hardie Siding?

James Hardie siding is a composite material known as fiber cement, which is made from a blend of cement, cellulose fibers and sand (silica). The material is poured into molds to create a variety of exterior siding styles. Although HardiePlank® lap siding is the most popular because it resembles wood siding, HardieShingle® siding and HardiePanel® vertical siding are also high-quality, attractive options for your Colorado home. You can even use James Hardie products for your trim and soffits.

This type of siding is popular in Colorado due to its versatile construction and overall makeup. It is also constructed according to the climate zone, which helps cater the product to its home environment. Colorado is within the HZ5 product zone, ideally suited for everything from hail to snow to hot summer sun. Fiber cement helps add fire-resistant qualities (ideal for areas prone to wildfires), while also preventing rot and pest damage. What’s more, fiber cement also comes with a 30-year warranty that ensures you’re protected in the rare event a defective product needs replacement.

5280 Exteriors’ Siding Installation Process

Now, how does 5280 Exteriors install James Hardie siding? We start with a professional consultation, where we assess your needs and begin planning your project. Come installation day, we bring all required tools and supplies and then get to work on creating your new home exterior. You’ll commonly see two installers carrying larger panels; this is because Hardie boards are heavy and must be handled in a supportive manner.

Along with the weight factor, we also take extra care to reduce silica dust exposure. Fiber cement boards release silica particles when cut, which is why we use special blades and tools to counteract this issue. HardieBlade® saw blades are specially designed to reduce dust by means of redirection or a collecting box. We also use HEPA vacuums and handheld shears that give excellent results.

Typically, we install Hardie boards over braced wood studs with 7/16-inch sheathing or else braced steel studs (minimum 20 gauge but strongly recommend 16 gauge) with steel sheathing. We also install Hardie boards over solid foam insulation, as long as it is no more than 1-inch thick. All sheathing or foam must be covered in a water-resistant barrier to protect the walls from moisture.

We use either siding nails, pins or self-tapping screws to secure Hardie boards to the studs and sheathing, and we install blocking and flashing around any features such as vent exhausts, hose bibs, and electrical outlets. We use a minimum of 1 1/4-inch overlap between plank siding. Our installers use an aluminum trim coil that comes pre-finished in the same color of the siding, and we then cut and bend the trim using sheet metal brakes.

Clearance is another important feature, and we follow James Hardie best practices unless there are additional specifications from local building codes. Typically, siding must be at least:

• 6 inches from the ground.
• 1/4 inch from trim or horizontal flashing.
• 1 to 2 inches from solid surfaces such as roofs, decks, and steps
• 1/2 from overhangs and other sheltered areas.

As you can see, our extensive expertise in James Hardie siding installation ensures that your home will receive the best workmanship possible. We are a James Hardie Preferred Installer, which means we are committed to upholding the James Hardie standard.

Are you considering updating your Colorado home’s siding? Contact us today to learn more or to book your consultation.