Vinyl Siding vs. James Hardie: Which Siding Wins for Metro Detroit Homeowners?

Many Metro Detroit homeowners are embarking on the annual expedition out of hiding from our harsh winters, and heading out into their yards. What they are finding is that their tired old siding is in need of a spring refresh. Once they hit search while doing their Google research, they are instantly barraged with tons of information on the thousands of different siding systems, materials, styles, and colors.

Our goal today is to break down the comparison between two of the most common requests we see in Macomb and Oakland Counties: vinyl siding compared to James Hardie composite siding. As your trusted local exterior experts, the team at Four Seasons Kanga Roof (also known as Kanga Roof Siding & Windows) is here to help you make the best choice for your home’s value and aesthetic.

To be upfront, our design and installation teams do offer both of these services, but our approach was to make a determination on which was best for the average consumer in the greater Metro Detroit area.

Let’s start with the hot look and product we are receiving calls on daily, James Hardie composite siding. This has increasingly grown in popularity over the past 5 years. Originally this product was only specified and installed on new build homes. However, with the increase in demand due to it being highlighted on popular home renovation shows, clients are asking questions. So what are the benefits of choosing Hardie Board siding for your Michigan home?

James Hardie Siding Benefits for Metro Detroit Homes

1. Extreme Durability in Michigan Weather: With its cement composite design, James Hardie siding is extremely durable and resistant to chips and cracks from most normal impacts. Unlike its vinyl counterparts, it does not become more brittle in the hard cold weather we receive throughout the Metro Detroit winter. It is also very resistant to debris being kicked up from lawn mowers, weed whackers, or the errant baseball from the neighbor’s son.
2. The Premium Curb Appeal: The ship-lap design made popular by Chip and Joanna Gaines has certainly contributed to the rise in popularity of this product. It can truly make a house pop when combined with a strong contrasting color for its oversized trim. Putting this up with an eye for color can truly make you the envy of your neighborhood overnight.
3. Exceptional Longevity: Due to the construction of Hardie being a fiber cement board, the life cycle is exceptionally long compared to many other siding materials. With their pre-finished colors, the chance of flaking and fading are greatly minimized. It is likely that even once you are long gone, your siding will still be on your home and looking good. James Hardie backs this with an excellent warranty (Source: [Link to James Hardie Warranty Page]).
4. Strong Return on Investment (ROI): On average, homes that install a Hardie siding system generally see an 80% return on investment when it comes to their home’s value (Source: Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report – [Link to a recent Cost vs. Value Report for the region]). This makes it one of the best home exterior investments you can make.

Hardie Siding Drawbacks

1. The Upfront Cost: The number one disadvantage to Hardie is the upfront cost. Compared to traditional vinyl siding, you are looking at a finished cost that can reach two times the cost.
2. Increased Installation Time: One of the reasons for the increased cost is the time it takes to install a complete Hardie system. If a traditional home takes a trained crew 3-4 days to complete, that same home in Hardie will likely take 4-6 days to complete, due to the material’s weight and specialized installation requirements.

Vinyl Siding Benefits for Metro Detroit Homes

Vinyl siding remains the most popular choice for home siding in Macomb County and across Metro Detroit, and for good reason.Vinyl Siding Benefits

1. Best Value and Affordability: Installing vinyl siding has the lowest day-one cost for siding materials for your home. You combine this with its long life cycle, and it makes vinyl one of the most economical home improvements you can make.
2. Design Flexibility: Due to the wide number of manufacturers, colors, and designs, vinyl siding is one of the most versatile materials you can use to deliver the exact aesthetic you are looking for to update your home.
3. Insulated Panels for Michigan: One of the newer offerings in vinyl siding is foam-backed vinyl siding. This provides improved insulation for the home, great resistance to cracking or damage to the siding, and can improve your sound insulation from outside traffic and general disturbances. This is a smart choice for energy efficiency in Michigan’s climate.

Vinyl Siding Drawbacks

1. Durability in Extreme Cold: Since we live in Metro Detroit, it means that we deal with hard arctic cold winters. In these extreme times, standard vinyl siding can become brittle and is much more susceptible to cracks, punctures, and overall damage.
2. Color Upcharge: With dark, bold colors being the current trend for many homeowners, they also come with an increased price tag. Vinyl siding increases in cost with the thickness of the siding panel. The darker colors that have become so popular with most homeowners are often only available in the thicker, premium panels. This can quickly lead to a price escalation.

The Verdict: Which Siding is Right for You?

Overall, both of these products are great options for homeowners in Metro Detroit. It is important to do your research and start with clear goals whether they are budgetary or aesthetic-based.

No matter which product you choose, you need an experienced, local installer. Don’t just take my word for it:”Four Seasons Kanga Roof did an amazing job on our new Hardie siding installation. Their team was professional, fast, and the quality of the work is outstanding. Highly recommend them for any exterior work in the Macomb County area!” – A satisfied customer, via Google Reviews.

Our team at Four Seasons Kanga Roof would love to help you with these decisions. As part of our process, we provide a fully customized digital rendering of your home so you can be sure you will love the new look before it is installed on your home. (Source: [Link to Kanga Roof’s Digital Rendering Service Page])

If you would like to explore siding options for your home, you can call us now at 586-566-0308 or skip the line and book your appointment completely online at https://kanga-roof.com/schedule-inspection-now/.

I sincerely hope this helps give you some clear guidance on the pros and cons when comparing Hardie composite siding with vinyl options for your Metro Detroit home exterior project. And as always, I hope you have a Kanga-Riffic day!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.

VP and Owner

Four Seasons Kanga Roof