Lower Your Homeowner’s Insurance and More with the Help of James Hardie Siding
Posted on February 10, 2023
Being a homeowner these days is expensive, and it doesn’t look like it’ll be getting cheaper any time soon. With that said, there are some clever ways to reduce your overhead as a homeowner without making unfavorable compromises.
If that sounds enticing, you’ll be happy to know that reducing those costs can be as simple as opting for a different type of siding — James Hardie siding, to be specific. This attractive, durable, pest-resistant siding can help to lower homeowner’s insurance while increasing the value of your home and helping to prevent costly damage.
What Is James Hardie Siding?
James Hardie siding is a type of siding that’s made from a special fiber cement rather than wood or vinyl.
It’s molded to resemble standard shingles, only with an attractive modern aesthetic. The color is double-coated, and the finish is baked into the material so it won’t crack or peel, and the proprietary technology used in the coloring is even more resistant to UV wear than regular paint.
Something worth noting about James Hardie siding is that it requires special materials to install properly. For this reason, you should only opt for this type of siding if you plan on hiring an authorized professional contractor to put it in place.
The upfront costs can be a bit higher than other siding options, but in the long run, you’ll end up saving money thanks to the material’s durability and longevity.
What Is Fiber Cement?
It may surprise you to learn that James Hardie siding is made from cement, but it’s very different from the cement surfaces you’re used to.
The siding consists of a mixture of Portland cement, sand, and water, but it also includes cellulose fibers which help make it less rigid. As such, it offers the protection and durability of cement without being so inflexible that it’s difficult to work with.
How Can James Hardie Siding Lower Homeowner’s Insurance?
There are many potential benefits of installing James Hardie siding on your home, but the one you’re probably most interested in is how it can lower homeowner’s insurance. Here’s how switching to James Hardie siding can help you reduce your homeowner’s insurance rates and save money for other projects.
Mold and Pest Resistance
James Hardie siding is water-repellant, making it an inhospitable surface for mold to grow on. It’s also too tough for pests to burrow into or eat. While these characteristics are undoubtedly attractive to you, the homeowner, they’re also appealing to insurance providers, which means they’ll help lower your rates.
Greater Home Protection
Because James Hardie siding is so tough and durable, outfitting your home with it affords greater protection from the elements. When your insurance provider knows there’s less chance of having to shell out to repair damage to your home, they’re likely to charge you less.
Reduced Fire Risk
James Hardie siding is also non-combustible, meaning it won’t catch fire even if you touch a flame directly to it.
While traditional wood siding can act like kindling for a house fire, feeding it and causing it to quickly grow out of control, James Hardie siding actually serves to prevent the spread of fire. Insurance providers love this fact, and it’s one of the key factors in keeping homeowner’s insurance costs low.
Durability and Longevity
Sometimes, homeowners are forced to call on their insurance provider to cover the costs of replacing their siding as it degrades and becomes a nuisance or a hazard.
But James Hardie siding is super durable, giving a much longer lifespan than old-fashioned siding. Consequently, neither you nor your insurer will have to worry about replacing it as often.
James Hardie Siding Can Increase the Value of Your Home
Along with its convenience, durability, longevity, increased safety, and ability to lower homeowner’s insurance, James Hardie siding also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers, which in turn raises its market value.
Curb appeal is a big factor in determining a home’s resale value. James Hardie siding offers an undeniable aesthetic allure from day one, but it will also retain that allure far longer than many other types of siding. The lack of wear over the years will keep it looking brand-new and your home’s value intact.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, prospective homebuyers will also be enticed by the lack of maintenance, the resistance to water and pests, and the protection from fire James Hardie siding offers.
Is James Hardie Siding Worth the Upfront Cost?
While you’ll have to pay more upfront to purchase and install James Hardie siding, that doesn’t necessarily make it a more expensive option.
When you step back and look at the big picture, this form of siding may actually be cheaper than many others. Here’s why.
Lower Maintenance Costs
The costs of siding don’t stop at purchase and installation. Over the years, maintenance expenses can start to stack up with cheaper but less durable materials. With James Hardie siding, you can be confident that your home’s exterior will remain untouched by wear and tear for years.
Greater Longevity
All siding has to be replaced eventually, but the longer you can go without replacing yours, the better your return on investment will ultimately be.
Again, you may pay less for other sidings initially, but you may also have to pay that same price twice before your James Hardie siding needs to be replaced.
Lower Homeowner’s Insurance
Homeowner’s insurance is a recurring cost you simply can’t avoid, so anything that lowers it will have a cumulative effect on your overall savings. James Hardie siding offers a way to keep your insurance fees low after the fact.
James Hardie Siding Can Transform Your Home
There are many reasons to consider upgrading your home with James Hardie siding. From reduced costs to fewer headaches to increased aesthetic value, it’s an investment that will no doubt be worth your while. If you’re interested in learning more, contact the experienced team at Siding Now today to request a quote.