For many Maryland homeowners, re-siding comes down to two choices: vinyl, or fiber cement, often known by the James Hardie brand. Both are good products. They make different trade-offs on cost, durability, upkeep, and looks.
The short answer
- Choose vinyl if you want the lowest up-front cost, next to no maintenance, and a wide range of colors.
- Choose fiber cement if you want the look of painted wood, more resistance to impact and fire, and siding you can repaint a new color later.
Side by side
| Vinyl | Fiber cement (James Hardie) | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | Lower | Higher: heavier material and more labor |
| Maintenance | Occasional washing; never needs paint | Eventually needs repainting |
| Impact | Can crack when struck in cold weather | Harder and more rigid |
| Heat and fire | Can melt from nearby heat, such as a grill | Noncombustible |
| Look | Wide range of profiles and colors | Deeper shadow lines; reads like painted wood |
| Changing color later | Limited: needs a vinyl-safe paint | Can be repainted |
| Typical life expectancy* | About 60 years | 100+ years |
*From InterNACHI's life expectancy chart, which notes that actual life depends on weather, installation, maintenance, and material quality.
Why fiber cement costs more
Fiber cement is heavier and more rigid than vinyl. It takes more labor to cut, carry, and fasten, and cutting it creates silica dust that crews have to control. It comes either primed for painting or with a factory-applied finish. Vinyl is light, quick to install, and less expensive to buy.
With either one, the siding itself is only part of the price. See what else affects the price below.
How each handles Maryland weather
Our summers are hot and humid, our winters bring freeze-thaw cycles, and nor'easters bring wind-driven rain.
- Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature, so it has to hang loosely enough to move. Installed too tight, it can buckle in summer heat. In cold weather it gets more brittle and can crack if something hits it.
- Fiber cement barely moves with temperature, won't melt, and stands up to impact. James Hardie makes two product lines for different climates: HZ5, for climates with freezing temperatures, big seasonal temperature swings, and snow and ice, and HZ10, for hot, humid, coastal climates. Ask your installer which one they're using.
Whichever you choose, what goes under the siding matters as much as the siding: a continuous weather-resistive barrier such as house wrap, and properly flashed windows and doors.
Maintenance
Vinyl never needs paint. Wash it now and then to keep mildew off shady walls.
Fiber cement eventually needs repainting, though a factory finish lasts years before it does. When that time comes you can choose a new color, which is much harder to do with vinyl. Keep caulked joints and trim in good shape so water stays out.
What else affects the price
Two siding bids for the same house can differ because of:
- Removing the old siding, and repairing any rotted sheathing underneath.
- The number of stories. Taller walls need more staging and more time.
- Windows, doors, and corners, each of which needs trim and flashing.
- Soffit and fascia, which many projects replace at the same time.
- Trim material: fiber cement, PVC, or aluminum-wrapped wood.
- House wrap and flashing, which should be in every bid.
Which is right for your home?
- Selling soon, on a budget: vinyl gives a clean, fresh exterior for the least money.
- Staying for the long haul: fiber cement's durability and repaintable finish pay off over time.
- A busy yard with kids, sports, and mowers: fiber cement shrugs off knocks better.
- A specific painted-wood or historic look: fiber cement gets closer.
- Never want to paint again: vinyl.
Check your homeowners association's rules before you choose. Some neighborhoods limit materials or colors.
Before you sign
Re-siding is home improvement work, so your contractor needs a Maryland Home Improvement Commission license. Get a written contract that names the siding product, the trim, and the house wrap, and don't pay more than one-third of the contract price as a deposit. Our license number is MHIC #166563.
See our siding services to talk through both options for your home.
Sources
- James Hardie: Hardie Zone system
- InterNACHI: Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission: home improvement contracts