Fiber Cement Siding

Siding & Architectural Cladding

James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding Installation and Finishing

Wood siding in Southeast Michigan rots from the bottom up, splits at butt joints, and needs repainting every five to seven years to stay ahead of moisture intrusion. Fiber cement doesn't have those problems. It won't rot, won't warp, won't attract insects, and the factory ColorPlus finish carries a 15-year warranty against peeling and fading. We install the full James Hardie lineup: HardiePlank lap, HardieShingle panels, HardiePanel vertical, and board-and-batten profiles.

Installation details determine whether fiber cement performs as advertised. We follow Hardie's installation guidelines — correct face-nailing or blind-nailing by profile, proper end-joint gapping, back-priming of cut ends, and sill pan flashing with self-adhering membrane at every window and door opening. We install weather-resistant barrier housewrap underneath and maintain the drainage plane behind the cladding so moisture that gets in has a continuous path to exit at the base of the wall.

For Oakland County homeowners deciding between factory ColorPlus finish and field-painted primed product: ColorPlus costs more upfront but eliminates the first paint cycle and provides a harder, more durable surface. Field-painted gives full flexibility on color and allows future repainting in any shade. We carry samples of both and walk through the tradeoffs for your specific project before anything gets ordered.