James Hardie™ Skilled and Experienced Contractor

James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding on the North Shore

The #1 fiber cement siding brand in North America — installed on over 10 million homes and trusted for non-combustible performance that lasts. Northshore Exterior Experts is trained and verified to install the full Hardie product line to manufacturer spec — protecting your warranty from day one.

Non-Combustible

30-Year Warranty

ColorPlus® Finish

HZ5® Climate Engineered

30-Year

Non-Prorated Warranty

Class A

Fire Rating

HZ5®

Engineered for MA

15+

Years in Business

10M+

Homes Clad Nationwide

The Brand

Why James Hardie Is the Gold Standard in Fiber Cement Siding

James Hardie holds roughly 90% of the fiber cement siding market in North America — a dominance earned by engineering a product that genuinely outperforms every other siding category in fire resistance, dimensional stability, and long-term appearance retention.

Fiber cement is a composite of Portland cement, silica sand, and cellulose fiber, combined under heat and pressure into boards and panels that will not rot, warp, delaminate, or support combustion. Unlike vinyl, fiber cement holds paint for decades because the substrate doesn’t expand and contract with temperature swings the way plastic does. Unlike engineered wood, it contains no organic material that absorbs moisture or attracts insects.

What separates James Hardie from other fiber cement manufacturers is the HardieZone® system. James Hardie is the only siding company that engineers different product formulations for different climate regions. In Massachusetts, we install the HZ5® product line — formulated specifically for freezing temperatures, snow and ice cycles, and extreme seasonal temperature variation.

Quick Reference

James Hardie at a Glance

Key facts about the brand and what's covered when we install it.

Founded

1888 — Sydney, AU

Product Warranty

30-Year Non-Prorated

Finish Warranty

15-Year ColorPlus®

Fire Rating

Class A · ASTM E136

Climate Zone

HZ5® — for MA

Flagship

HardiePlank® Lap

Color System

ColorPlus® Factory

Product Lines

5 Siding + Trim + Soffit

Our Certification

What the James Hardie Contractor Alliance™ Means for You

The James Hardie Contractor Alliance™ is a manufacturer-run program that identifies contractors who are trained, vetted, and verified to install James Hardie products correctly. Alliance membership requires meeting specific professional standards, completing product-specific training, and maintaining a documented track record of quality installation.

This matters for a concrete reason: James Hardie’s 30-year warranty requires that products are installed according to the manufacturer’s published specifications. When an Alliance member installs your siding, you know the crew has been trained directly by James Hardie on the correct fastener types, spacing, flashing sequences, moisture barrier requirements, and cutting methods that fiber cement demands.

Fiber cement is not vinyl. It weighs approximately 2.7 pounds per square foot — roughly 2.5x heavier than vinyl siding. It requires carbide-tipped saw blades, galvanized or stainless steel fasteners at precise depth and spacing. These are not details an untrained crew can wing on the job site.

Enrolled

Entry-level. Registered with the Alliance program and access to basic training resources.

Select

Completed product training and demonstrated commitment. Contractor Locator eligible.

Preferred

Proven track record of quality installations and customer satisfaction. Priority Locator placement and lead access.

Highest Tier

Elite

James Hardie's highest designation. Consistent excellence in installation, satisfaction scores, and volume. Maximum visibility.

The Full Lineup

James Hardie Siding Product Lines

Five distinct siding products plus matching trim and soffit — each engineered for a specific aesthetic, application, and architectural style. We install all of them.

Our Flagship

HardiePlank® Lap Siding

Most-installed siding in North America

James Hardie’s signature product and the most popular brand of siding in America. Classic horizontal lap siding available in smooth and Cedarmill® woodgrain textures, with multiple width options. Non-combustible, dimensionally stable, and impervious to moisture, rot, and insects. Available with ColorPlus® factory finish or primed for field painting.

Best for: Most North Shore homes. Clean horizontal lines complement Colonial, Cape Cod, Craftsman, and contemporary architectures equally well.

Most Popular

Smooth or Cedarmill®

30-Year Warranty

Cedar Shake Look

HardieShingle® Siding

Cedar shake aesthetic · Zero maintenance

Recreates the layered, dimensional look of hand-applied cedar shakes with the fire resistance, rot resistance, and zero-maintenance performance of fiber cement. Available in staggered edge and straight edge profiles. Ideal for full-home Cape Cod applications or as a dramatic accent on gable ends and dormers.

Best for: Homeowners who love the cedar shingle look but refuse the maintenance — or historic districts where shingle aesthetics matter.

Staggered & Straight Edge

Individual or Panel

30-Year Warranty

Modern Lines

HardiePanel® Vertical Siding

Board-and-batten · Contemporary design

Large-format vertical panels that create clean, modern lines or authentic board-and-batten character. 4′ x 8′ or 4′ x 10′ panels covering large areas quickly while maintaining full fiber cement performance. Pairs with HardieTrim® batten strips for the full board-and-batten application.

Best for: Contemporary, farmhouse-modern, and transitional architectures. Excellent as an accent paired with HardiePlank.

Smooth or Cedarmill®

4'×8' or 4'×10'

Board-and-Batten Ready

Premium

Artisan® Lap Siding

Deepest shadow lines · Thickest fiber cement lap

James Hardie’s premium lap siding — thicker than standard HardiePlank, with a deeper reveal and more dramatic shadow line that replicates historic wood clapboard. Available exclusively with ColorPlus® factory finish for a seamless, premium appearance.

Best for: High-end exterior renovations where shadow line depth and curb appeal justify the premium over HardiePlank

Deepest Shadow Line

ColorPlus® Only

Premium Grade

Complete System

HardieTrim® & HardieSoffit®

Complete the exterior · Eliminate wood failure points

HardieTrim alongside Hardie siding creates a fully fiber cement exterior — eliminating the mismatch when premium siding is paired with wood trim that deteriorates faster. Available in smooth and rustic grain textures, 4″ to 12″ widths. HardieSoffit replaces wood soffit under eaves with vented and non-vented options.

Best for: Every James Hardie project. We recommend trim and soffit on all installations for a complete, consistent system.

4" to 12" Widths

Vented Soffit

15-Year Warranty

Featured Product

HardiePlank® — The Most-Installed Siding in North America

If there’s one James Hardie product we install more than any other, it’s HardiePlank. No other material offers this combination of fire resistance, dimensional stability, aesthetic versatility, and long-term value.

HardiePlank is non-combustible. Not “fire-resistant,” not “self-extinguishing” — classified as non-combustible under ASTM E136 with a Flame Spread Index of 0. It will not ignite, support combustion, or produce toxic smoke.

HZ5 HardiePlank is specifically engineered for our climate: reduced water absorption, cold-climate paint adhesion, and a drip edge that manages water away from the substrate. Tested to withstand wind-driven rain at 110 mph when installed to spec.

30-Year

Non-Prorated Warranty

0 / 0

Flame / Smoke Index

ColorPlus®

15-Year Finish Warranty

HZ5®

MA Climate Engineered

ColorPlus® Technology

James Hardie ColorPlus® Palette

19 factory-finished colors engineered for lasting curb appeal. Multiple coats baked on — no field painting required.

Available colors vary by region. To get the latest colors available to our Northeast clients you can download the latest PDF here

[Download Available Color Chart]

or visit James Hardie’s website directly at https://www.jameshardie.com.

Ready to see James Hardie siding on your home? Get a free estimate from Northshore Exterior Experts.

Why James Hardie

What Sets James Hardie Apart on the North Shore

Six reasons North Shore homeowners choose fiber cement over vinyl, wood, and engineered alternatives.

Non-Combustible — Class A Fire Rating

The only major siding that is genuinely non-combustible. ASTM E136 certified, Flame Spread 0. Vinyl melts. Wood burns. Fiber cement does neither. Lower insurance premiums for many homeowners.

30-Year Non-Prorated Warranty

Coverage doesn't decrease over time. Year 29 protection is identical to year 1. Transferable to future homeowners — a documentable selling point. Add ColorPlus® for a separate 15-year finish warranty.

HZ5® — Engineered for MA Climate

The only siding manufacturer that formulates for specific climate zones. HZ5 means reduced water absorption, enhanced freeze-thaw durability, and a drip edge for better water management. Wrong zone = voided warranty.

ColorPlus® Factory Finish

Multiple coats of UV-resistant color factory-baked under controlled conditions. Superior adhesion and consistency vs. any field-applied paint. Dedicated 15-year finish warranty. 2026 Color of the Year: Iron Gray.

Dimensional Stability

Fiber cement doesn't absorb moisture like wood. Won't swell, shrink, split, or warp during freeze-thaw. Joints stay tight, paint stays bonded, clean lines are maintained for decades.

Complete Exterior System

Matching trim, soffit, fascia, and accent products in the same material and ColorPlus® finish. Full Hardie exterior = every component shares the same fire resistance, stability, and warranty coverage.

Installation Process

What to Expect From a James Hardie Installation

From first call to final walkthrough — every detail managed so you focus on your home, not your siding.

1

Free Consultation

We assess your existing siding and walk you through the full Hardie product line with samples.

2

Written Estimate

Transparent, detailed estimate — scope, materials, timeline, and total cost. No surprises.

3

Product & Color

Choose the right Hardie product, texture, and ColorPlus® color for your home.

4

Expert Installation

Installed to Hardie specs — correct fasteners, flashing, moisture barrier. Clean site daily.

5

Final Walkthrough

Thorough inspection together. Warranty docs filed and delivered. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Service Areas

James Hardie Siding Installation Across the North Shore

Based at 199 Rosewood Drive, Suite 225 in Danvers, our experienced, professional crew serves homeowners throughout the North Shore and Merrimack Valley.

Common Questions

James Hardie Siding FAQ

What James Hardie products do you install?

We install the full James Hardie product line: HardiePlank lap siding, HardieShingle for cedar shake-style applications, HardiePanel vertical siding, HardieTrim boards for corners, windows, doors, and fascia, and HardieSoffit panels for eaves and porch ceilings.  We install all products to James Hardie’s published specifications — required for full warranty coverage.

ColorPlus is James Hardie’s factory-applied color system. Multiple coats of UV-resistant acrylic finish are baked on under controlled conditions — not painted in the field. The result is superior color consistency and durability. Carries its own 15-year finish warranty. We recommend ColorPlus on every North Shore project.

James Hardie is the only siding manufacturer that engineers different formulations for different climate zones. Massachusetts is HZ5 — engineered for freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and extreme seasonal temperature swings. HZ5 products have reduced water absorption, enhanced freeze-thaw resistance, and a modified drip edge. Installing the wrong zone (HZ10) voids the warranty.

Typically $10–$18 per square foot installed, depending on product line, ColorPlus vs. primed, home size, tear-off complexity, and trim scope. Fiber cement costs more than vinyl or engineered wood — but it is non-combustible, dimensionally stable, and carries a 30-year non-prorated warranty. Free estimates: (781) 815-7752.

Classified as non-combustible under ASTM E136 with a Class A fire rating. Flame Spread Index: 0. Smoke Developed Index: 0. It will not ignite, support combustion, or fuel a fire — the strongest fire-resistant siding option for Massachusetts homeowners.

30-year limited product warranty, non-prorated and transferable. Same coverage in year 29 as year 1. HardieTrim: 15-year warranty. ColorPlus finish: separate 15-year finish warranty. All coverage requires installation per James Hardie specs — which is why choosing an experienced contractor matters tremendously.

North Shore's James Hardie Expert Installer

Free estimates. Manufacturer training. The full James Hardie lineup — installed right.