A Portland-cement-based product that holds colour and shape far longer than wood or vinyl.
The photo above is the whole argument in one shot: vinyl on the left, James Hardie plank on the right. Vinyl is thin plastic that cracks in a Chicago freeze and melts near a grill. Hardie is Portland cement, sand and cellulose fiber, and it takes hail at speeds that destroy vinyl without flinching.
As a certified James Hardie Elite Preferred Remodeler, we install to Hardie's official specification for clearances, fasteners and flashing, which is what actually keeps the manufacturer's warranty intact. This is the only kind of lap siding we install, no vinyl, ever, in ColorPlus factory-finished colours that do not need repainting for years.
James Hardie's non-prorated, transferable limited warranty.
Factory-baked colour finish, covered by a 15-year finish warranty.
Non-combustible fiber cement, so it will not ignite, warp or feed a fire the way wood siding can.
Termites and carpenter ants cannot eat fiber cement, so they leave it alone completely.
Vinyl siding vs James Hardie plank
Split-level, full lap siding replacement
Three-storey frame house, lap siding
Lap siding install in progress
Historic home, lap siding
Full exterior lap siding
Bungalow, lap siding & windows
Historic Victorian, lap siding
"A 140-year-old house, and they made it look brand new."Judy D. — Chicago, IL
James Hardie Elite Preferred Remodeler
Pella Platinum Elite Certified Contractor
Chicagoland Builders offers project financing through Synchrony, with promotional plans available on qualifying windows, siding, additions, and remodeling projects.
No surprises, no vanishing subcontractors — just a clear plan and a team that shows up.
Licensed in the City of Chicago for 17 years, and fully bonded and insured across every municipality we build in.
A detailed estimate before we break ground — no change-order surprises.
Our own carpentry and finish crews, not a rotating cast of subs.
We know the permitting offices, the weather, and the neighborhoods.
Tell us about your project — we'll follow up with a straightforward estimate, no obligation.