James Hardie Siding Colors vs. Painting Primed Hardie Siding

When your siding begins to fade, crack, or sag, it's time for a major reface. Look into James Hardie siding, one of the best fiber cement siding on the market.

When you contact your siding contractor, you will begin to hear about all of your siding choices. Even once you have narrowed your choices down to James Hardie siding, you have another choice to make. Will you select painted primed Hardie siding or ColorPlus siding? 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the differences between primed Hardie siding and ColorPlus siding. 

What is James Hardie Siding?

James Hardie siding is a specialized fiber cement siding that has proven its place in the siding world.

Fiber cement consists of sand, water, cellulose fibers, and Portland cement. The composition changes depending on who manufactures the siding. James Hardie's siding is special in that it includes propriety additives that enhance the siding's performance. 

This fiber cement siding is five times thicker than vinyl siding. As a result, it creates deeper grooves and looks more like authentic wood siding compared to its vinyl counterpart. 

It's also eco-friendly since it's made from sustainable materials and lasts much longer than vinyl or wood siding. 

James Hardie siding has superior functionality compared to vinyl siding. It looks natural on a historic home, and its non-combustible material makes it resistant to fire. Furthermore, it doesn't crack or warp like vinyl siding. 

James Hardie siding also resists warping and sagging like what you often see with vinyl siding. It also will not split, crack, or deteriorate over time as wood siding does. 

With James Hardie siding, you have less to worry about because the siding lasts so much longer than vinyl or wood. 

ColorPlus Siding

Now that you understand the basics of James Hardie siding, you need to determine if you want the pre-colored ColorPlus siding or the primed siding. 

ColorPlus siding refers to the technology that James Hardie uses to bake color into the James Hardie siding. As a result, your home's exterior will have a lasting and appealing appearance. There are several perks to ColorPlus siding. 

No Painting

First and foremost, you don't have to or need to paint ColorPlus James Hardie siding. Your siding has already been painting, and thus you just need a contractor to install it. 

Furthermore, the baked-on technology maximizes the possibility of paint sticking to the siding. Thus the siding is less prone to chipping and peeling. 

Quick Installation and Finish

When you have primed siding, you still have to paint the siding. However, if you have ColorPlus, you just need your contractor to install the siding, and it's done. You do not need to wait for the right temperature to paint your siding because it has already been painted. 

Perfect Paint Job

With ColorPlus siding, paint is applied evenly and in various coats. The manufacturers' application looks virtually flawless, especially compared to a hand-painted siding that you'd encounter with the primed siding. 

Enduring Color

The baked-on paint job means the siding will withstand the intensity of UV rays. Your color will last longer with less fading, and you can enjoy a vibrantly colored house if you want for a longer time than with traditional painting. 

Furthermore, this color lasts. The technology used to bake on the paint makes the paint durable. So you can be bold and pick a bold color that will last. 

Vast Color Options

Many homeowners don't know what color to choose when they replace their siding. James Hardie has color experts that have determined which colors would look best in nature on the exterior of your home. You have a vast number of the perfect exterior colors to pick from without worrying if they'll look alright outside.

Long Warranty

If you paint your own siding, you have little to no warranty guaranteeing the paint will last. So when the paint begins to peel two years later, you have to fork over the cash to paint the siding again. 

James Hardie ColorPlus Technology has a 15-year warranty that covers both labor and paint. James Hardie believes so much in their technology that they will cover cracking, peeling, and chipping. You can install the ColorPlus with confidence. 

Primed Hardie Siding

When you're looking for excellent fiber cement siding, the primed Hardie siding is a great choice as well. The primed siding offers several advantages over the ColorPlus. 

For example, you have more color choices when you select the primed siding. With ColorPlus, you have a choice of 33 preset colors. However, with primed siding, the world is your oyster, in that you can pick any one of multiple colors. 

Also, if you have any problems in the future with your siding, you will have perfectly matched paint to touch up any errors. Furthermore, you can paint the caulk the same color as your siding, creating a seamless look. Should your siding sustain any chips or scratches in the future, you can easily touch up the paint with your reserve paint. 

Which Should You Choose?

Clearly, ColorPlus is a simpler installation choice. You will end up with a perfect paint job that lasts for several decades. However, you do have limited color choices, so if you want a unique color, then go with the primed boards. 

All James Hardie siding comes with a 30-year limited warranty. However, you need to make sure your contractor installs the siding within the James Hardie standards. If you do not have the siding professionally installed, you will void the warranty. 

Consult a Siding Contractor

Do you need new siding? Has James Hardie siding caught your eye? Then contact a siding contractor with James Hardie siding experience. 

You want a contractor that does more than just siding. Look for contractors that understand the whole house, including siding and replacement windows. 

If you need a Kansas City Siding contractor, give us a call. We serve the areas in and surrounding Kansas City, Warrensburg, Columbia, Jefferson City, Lake Ozarks, and St. Louis. Our family-owned and operated siding company focuses on leaving a legacy of quality work you can enjoy for years to come. 

Contact us today. We'd love to help you out.