How To Select the Right Siding For Your Home

Installation Of Cedar Channel Siding
  • Author: Fazal Umer
  • Posted On: June 22, 2023
  • Updated On: October 17, 2023

Siding is one of the best investments you can make for the exterior of your home – and James Hardie siding is the best of the best. This fiber cement siding is renowned for its durability in all climates, including the harsh extremes of Kansas, as well as its rainbow of beautiful finishes.

You are sure to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether that’s a wood mimicry or a bright bold yellow, and be certain that the style will endure for years to come.

Once you’ve decided that you’d like to install fiber cement siding and have gotten in touch with a Kansas City James Hardie siding installer, you need to get to work deciding on the exact style, color, and finish that you’d like. Today, we’ll take a look at how to boost curb appeal through the roof by pinpointing the exact siding that will show off all your home’s best attributes. 

When it comes to maintaining your home’s exterior, one crucial aspect to consider is your eavestrough system. Regular inspection and maintenance can help prevent water damage and ensure the longevity of your roof. If you’re looking for professional eavestrough services, be sure to visit this website for expert assistance.

Consider the Kansas climate when narrowing your options

James Hardie works throughout the United States, so they recognize that climates vary by state; that’s why they have designed different siding options that are best suited for each area of the country.

Kansas is known for cold winters and hot summers, so your siding needs to be able to withstand such extremes with ease; something made for Alaska or Hawaii won’t do! Your siding contractor will be able to steer you towards those choices which best suit Kansas weather.

Determine your style preferences

Fiber cement is a very versatile substance because of the way that it is constructed: with sand, cement, and wood cellulose to give it a bit of flexibility. As such, James Hardie has formulated a variety of additives and finishes that allow their siding to mimic most other substances.

You can get fiber cement that looks like cedar shakes, sandstone, or even clay – and it comes in a number of different shapes, too. If you would like your home to look like a pioneer cabin but enjoy all the comforts of modern fiber cement, that’s entirely possible with James Hardie. 

For this step, you should gather a “lookbook” of homes similar to yours that have siding that you think looks great, particularly if you can tell that it’s fiber cement.

Bring these reference materials with you to consult with a siding contractor, and they can help match your preferences to what is available.

Take a look at the many colors available and match it to your dream home

In addition to finishes and shapes, James Hardie also has a huge array of colors to match any aesthetic. Typically, you want to match your siding to the roof, as this is what makes a harmonious whole for the exterior; that means that if you’re replacing the siding, you’ll want to take a good look at your current roof color and decide if it looks good with your siding choices. 

If you’ve had your roof replaced within the last few years, your contractor may have left behind some roof shingles; you can bring these into your meeting so that you’re not just guessing when it comes to the shade.

Otherwise, take some pictures of your current exterior or pull them up on Google Maps so that the contractors have a better understanding of what you would like. 

Decide how much maintenance you can handle

While James Hardie siding is pretty stress-free, some options will have more maintenance than others, and you should take this into consideration when choosing the exact product you will use.

Siding is not just aesthetic: it’s also integral to protecting your home from the elements, so it’s important that you choose a siding that you can keep in good repair over time. 

Are you a house-proud retiree who has time to putter around the house? You might choose one that needs a little more care but is more aesthetically pleasing to you.

However, if you’re a working mom with a hectic schedule, it’s best to pick something that can take care of itself.

Get samples of a few options and take a sneak peek

Just as when painting your home, you should get samples and take them with you to see how they will look. Unlike with paint, though, you can’t just  put them on the wall and decide how they look – but you can spend some time with each of the samples and see how they look in different light conditions. 

Many siding companies are happy to order these for you, but you can also order them directly from James Hardie if you desire.

After inputting your zip code, you’ll be able to see which products are available in your region, and then order up to three samples of the colors that you’d like.

Take some time and examine the samples in different conditions, such as at dusk and in the bright midday sun, in order to see whether you still like the look in each of these conditions. 

If you’ve found a winner, it’s time to get to work! Your contractor will order the siding necessary and develop a timeline with you to determine how the work will go ahead. By working with a reputable James Hardie installer, you can create an exterior beyond your wildest dreams.

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Author: Fazal Umer

Fazal is a dedicated industry expert in the field of civil engineering. As an Editor at ConstructionHow, he leverages his experience as a civil engineer to enrich the readers looking to learn a thing or two in detail in the respective field. Over the years he has provided written verdicts to publications and exhibited a deep-seated value in providing informative pieces on infrastructure, construction, and design.

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