According to experts, vinyl siding is the most commonly installed material on homes throughout the US, including the Chicago area. Although vinyl is inferior to many other siding options, it’s not hard to see why it’s the best-selling product in the nation—after all, vinyl is cheap. 

Unfortunately, cheaply-made products don’t last as long—and some homeowners find themselves regretting a vinyl siding choice as soon as 15-20 years after having it installed. Other popular materials, like stucco or wood, come with their own set of problems that affect the value, maintenance requirements, and other important qualities of your home. After having vinyl and other materials, many people make the switch to James Hardie siding—a newer product made of fiber cement materials. 

At Pro Home 1, we’ve been a top-rated Chicagoland Siding company for over 40 years, and we recognize quality when we see it—which is why we’re always ready to help customers make the switch to James Hardie siding products. In this guide, we’ll go over some common questions we’re asked about this siding option for those thinking of making the switch.

Are There Limited Style Options? 

Some homeowners worry that their home might not look as nice with fiber cement siding, particularly those with wood siding installations. Fortunately, fiber cement styles come in a wide variety of style options and textures—and can even be designed to look exactly like beautiful wood selections.

From Cape Cod to Farmhouse, modern, to cottage style and more, there’s sure to be a look, color, and texture that is perfect for your home. Here’s a little more information about some of their products and the style options that come with each one: 

  • Hardie Shingle Siding: These shingles are made to look like real Cedar shingles—with all of the beauty of real wood without the high maintenance needs. This option looks fantastic on rustic, Cape Cod, or cabin-style homes.
  • Hardie Panel Vertical Siding: This siding style is used mostly for modern and minimalist architecture, and can also be paired along with James Hardie’s trim board options for farmhouse and other style homes.
  • Hardie Plank Lap Siding: This is the bestselling product from the manufacturer and also the top siding option in North America. Homeowners can choose from many colors and designs to customize the look to pair flawlessly with many versatile style options.
  • Hardie Trim Boards: Placed around windows, corners, columns, and other areas, the trim adds a final statement to accentuate siding boards and can help you to perfect the ideal look for your home.

What Will Happen to My Home’s Value?

If you’re planning on selling your home in the future, your siding installation is going to play a large part in its resale value. James Hardie siding is internationally renowned for its strength and durability, with a lifespan lasting up to 50 years or longer. This, along with its stunning beauty and style, will give your home a huge advantage and boost in value when it’s time to sell. 

Is James Hardie Siding Flammable?

Since James Hardie siding is made from fiber concrete, it retains the fire-resistant features of concrete as well. This is a great safety upgrade from wood, which can burn easily, and from vinyl, which will melt or warp in high heat. This can also be a plus for lowering your premiums from your home’s insurance company.

Is James Hardie Siding Compatible with My Climate?


The answer is yes, absolutely. In fact, James Hardie siding products are chosen specifically to match the customer’s geographic location and climate needs, using the HardieZone system. The HardieZone system is based on eight different climate variables that typically have an influence on siding performance. If you’re living in Chicago and dealing with the harsh, Midwestern climate that varies greatly between the seasons, James Hardie’s HZ5 product is the right choice for your home.

James Hardie Siding Installers in Chicago

At Pro Home 1, we proudly recommend James Hardie siding products after 40+ years of combined industry experience in Chicago. At the same time, we also know what a bad installation can do to ruin your investment. James Hardie siding, after all, is only as good as its installation—which is why only trained and certified James Hardie installation experts should install their products on your home. 


If you’re thinking about re-siding your home, choose a contractor that’s a James Hardie preferred contractor affiliated with the company. Our team of qualified contractors is well-trained and experienced in installing beautiful, durable fiber cement in homes throughout the Chicagoland area, and are experts in using James Hardie materials and state-of-the-art techniques. To find out more, give our team a call now to discuss your replacement siding project with us. Or, if you would prefer to get started now by scheduling a free, in-home pricing estimate, fill out our online form to have a representative get in touch with you.