James Hardie is a premium siding product and is a real investment in your home’s value and curbside appeal. Once you’ve invested in it, you’ll want to get the most of it.  Luckily, James Hardie has very little maintenance involved and it doesn’t need to be cleaned very often. But when you go to clean it, it is best to know what you’re doing.  There is nothing worse than getting too aggressive with a pressure washer and damaging something as valuable as James Hardie siding.  Below we’ve shared some tips and videos that we find helpful for cleaning and maintaining your James Hardie products.

Generally speaking, a gentle wash with water and a soft brush or cloth is sufficient. Some mild biodegradable soaps can be helpful but aren’t always necessary. Of course, that is for regular dirt and build-up. If you’re dealing with mold or mildew then you may need to get some specialized products.

Don’t overthink it, James Hardie is a company that offers lots of resources for its contractors and homeowners. Below is the official video from James Hardie about how to clean their products:

In addition to that video, be sure to check the James Hardie blog for cleaning tips. Like this overview on How to Clean Siding.

If you’re interested in a perspective on pressure washing your siding, then you can watch this video from a professional pressure washer. We suggest the official James Hardie procedures, but if you do employ a pressure washer it is probably a good idea to trust an insured professional.

Here is another professional that offers an opinion on pressure washing James Hardie siding.

This company offers 7 tips filled with dos and don’ts for cleaning James Hardie siding.

If you have questions about how to deal with your James Hardie in terms or cleaning or any other maintenance, then call EMA Construction for a consultation and we’ll be happy to help you get the most out of your James Hardie products.

This year EMA is celebrating Earth Day by sharing some answers to common questions and sustainability and siding.  In particular, James Hardie siding.  We encounter a handful of questions each year about the most sustainable option or finding something more environmentally friendly than vinyl siding. One of our go-to solutions is James Hardie siding which is made from raw sustainable materials.

“There are 80 million owner-occupied homes in the United States and 55% of them are 40 years old or more – which tallies up to 44 million 40-plus-year-old houses. We believe that many of those homes are built with wood, vinyl and other materials that are not durable enough, or are highly flammable, or are just not going to be fit to survive more adverse natural disaster conditions. We see James Hardie in that light as a solution homeowners can turn to.”

What constitutes a sustainable building project or material?  In general, you can look at the energy usage, water conservation, environmental quality, materials involved, maintenance required, and the energy efficiency of the build. In 2015, Green Builder® recognized James Hardie as the most sustainable siding product. To read the specs for James Hardie’s sustainability record and future plans, be sure to visit their official website.  Whether it is a new build or a remodeling job, James Hardie is the best choice.

Speaking of material, one common question is, “Does James Hardie contain asbestos?”  The simple answer is no.  James Hardie is made from a combination of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. In its current production, James Hardie does not contain asbestos in any of its products.  However, if you’re removing old siding from your home it is probably best to get a professional to test for asbestos because it may have been there in a previous iteration of the home.

If you’re ready to invest in your home this earth day, then contact us at EMA Construction for a free estimate!

At EMA Construction we specialize in James Hardie and cedar siding products. Lately, we’ve noticed some common questions about James Hardie siding and so we’ve decided to answer them.  The top searched questions among them are:

• What colors does James Hardie siding come in?
• Can James Hardie siding be painted? Can You Paint James Hardie? Is James Hardie Siding Paintable?
• Does James Hardie siding need to be painted?
• Does James Hardie siding need to be primed?

So we’ll answer these in order:

What Colors Does James Hardie Siding Come in?

This is a relatively straightforward question and to some extent negates some of the others.  James Hardie comes in a wide variety of colors.  You can use the James Hardie website to see the full range.  When you place your order the siding will arrive in the color you selected so it will not require priming or painting just installation.  Installation of James Hardie should always be handled by a professional.

Can James Hardie Siding Be Painted? Can You Paint James Hardie? Is James Hardie Siding Paintable?

The short answer is yes. However, it depends on why you’re asking. If you’re worried about normal wear and tear such as chipping, peeling, and fading then you don’t need to worry about that.  James Hardie has a six-step process to ensure that their ColorPlus Technology has significantly greater longevity than painted wood or vinyl. However, if you decide that you want to change the color of your house, then James Hardie can be painted but even a professional paint job by a contractor is unlikely to hold up as well as the factory ColorPlus Technology from James Hardie.

Does James Hardie Siding Need to Be Painted?

This question also requires a nuanced answer. If the question is, “do I have to paint it myself?” then the answer is no. James Hardie will arrive in the color you ordered it in. If the question is, “does James Hardie need to be painted in order to protect it?” then the answer is no. James Hardie fiber cement is durable whether it comes painted or not.  It also retains paint longer than regular wood.

Does James Hardie Siding Need To Be Primed?

Similar to the previous question, James Hardie will come primed or painted as you specify so you do not necessarily need to prime it yourself.  However, if you have untreated James Hardie and you intend to paint it then it is wise to prime it first.

We hope these answers help as you consider investing in James Hardie siding.  For a free quote in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton area for James Hardie or cedar siding on your home contact EMA Construction today.

Choosing new siding for your home is a huge decision.  There are so many options, not just for material, but for brands, colors, contractors, and more. It can be a bit overwhelming.  In this article, we’ll answer some of the most popular questions on the internet about James Hardie siding.  For an overview of fiber cement siding, you may want to start with our 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Fiber Cement Siding.

What is James Hardie siding made of?

According to the James Hardie website, “Fiber cement is made up of a few simple ingredients: Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. However, the composition will change depending on the manufacturer. James Hardie’s formulation includes propriety additives that enhance the performance of the product.”  That means that even if you’ve decided on fiber cement siding, there are advantages to choosing James Hardie above other options.

To see how it is made you can watch this video provided by James Hardie:

Where is James Hardie siding manufactured?

James Hardie materials are made in 11 manufacturing facilities in the United States with locations in Illinois, Flordia, Nevada, Txas, and Virginia. James Hardie operates globally and also has locations overseas. If you live in the United States and want to support U.S. workers then James Hardie is a great choice from manufacturing, front-office, all the way to your contractors.

Is James Hardie siding expensive?

This is a common question, but it is somewhat subjective.  On the whole, James Hardie siding is considered relatively affordable.  There are definitely cheaper options like vinyl which have a proportionate diminisnhing return on your investment. In terms of the cost-to-value ratio, James Hardie may be the best.  It provides almost any look you want, is cheaper than other options like cedar, has a long life, is durable, helps with insulation, is resistant to sun and weather damage, and is paintable so you can transform your home’s appearance without even replacing siding.

Who sells James Hardie Siding?

As a premier brand, James Hardie can be purchased most place like Lowes or Home Depot, although it frequently takes a special order. Contractors who specialize in James Hardie products may have access to bulk discounts or special incentives that a do-it-yourself homeowner won’t have access to.

Is James Hardie siding waterproof and/or fire-rated?

James Hardie cement board is 100% waterproof. It has a naturally long life and, when installed properly, will protect your home from leaks and moisture build-up.

Is it fire-rated?  The James Hardie website says, “While JamesHardie® products will not ignite when exposed to direct flame or contribute fuel to a fire, heat will transfer through them.”  To learn more, visit the James Hardie Fire Prevention FAQ.

To learn more about James Hardie products visit the official site.  If you’re interested in talking about James Hardie for your home or getting a free quote in the Greater Cincinnati area then contact EMA Construction today!

In the video below we’ll show you some before and after photos and videos of a home that transformed its appearance by painting the brick, replacing the siding with James Hardie fiber cement siding, and using some stained cedar accents.  Take a look and then we’ll walk you through the changes:

The first thing that you’ll see is that the front of the house was transformed by painting the brick white. As you spend more time with it you’ll notice that the gutter, soffit, and trim have all been upgraded to James Hardie.  The windows have been replaced. And the front porch was extended forward using a stained cedar.  The window directly above the porch is outlined in cedar and the gable has some cedar accents to introduce some color.

Next, the left side of the house had a beige horizontal vinyl siding that was upgraded to a white vertically-oriented James Hardie siding.  Similarly, the back of the house had its beige siding replaced with the same white vertically-oriented James Hardie siding.  The right side of the house received the same treatment with just a bit of cedar trim above the garage.  Later in the video, you can see a close-up of the before and after footage of the gables on the front of the house.  The cedar accents make a huge difference to give this home a warmer feeling. The back porch was constructed with white painted wood, but after this renovation, it got a cleaner and more open look by using larger and fewer cedar posts and a cedar ceiling.

If your home needs new siding, then why not take the opportunity to transform its appearance? You can replace vinyl siding with cedar to give your home a natural look or you can use a fiber cement James Hardie siding for versatility and virtually endless color and texture options. James Hardie and Cedar both offer better durability, reliability, sustainability, and longevity than vinyl siding.  If you’re interested in the Greater Cincinnati or Dayton area and are interested in receiving a free quote from EMA Construction then let us know and we can help you plan your home’s transformation!  Contact Us Today ⇒