Hardie shingle siding cost. Why so high?

**Bob Dylan** · 05-06-2009, 09:13 AM

James Hardie makes FC shingle siding as 4' width panels, and also as individual shingles. The panels are 16" high, and exposure is 7".

That 16-to-7 factor means you buy 2.28 actual s.f. of product to cover one finished s.f. of wall. Contrast that with their clap siding product for 6" exposure, with its 7-1/4" height, the factor being only 1.21.

On top of the factor thing, the pricing of the shingle product is astronomical as compared to the clap.

What is going on here? The manufacturing process, with parts pressed in a textured mold, has got to be similar, if not almost identical. Thickness is about the same, so you would think that the cost factor per net finished s.f. should be around 2.28/1.21, or 1.88. It's a whole lot more.

Why? Who can afford it?

**davenorthup** · 05-06-2009, 10:03 AM

I think it is manufactured in 16" pieces (height) to give the narrow shingles enough strength to stay on in wind.

**No faux zone** · 05-06-2009, 12:50 PM

Can you still get the shakes in singular form? Thats what I used on the Olympic Canoe and Kayak club on Lake Clear. I think it was the first Hardi job in Lake Placid, NY.

**J.Buesking** · 05-06-2009, 02:40 PM

They have always been this high. I've never seen an individual shingle except here.

I just tell the customer right off the bat, 2.5 x the price of regular lap.

**Mark Parlee** · 05-06-2009, 07:11 PM

Hardie in my area just took a 15% price hike for the lap and they are changing the formulation of the product for the north area as well as the profile and the warranty.

bbjhhss

**No faux zone** · 05-06-2009, 07:50 PM

Personally, I'm losing interest in concrete siding and going back to wood. People who want concrete siding seem to think they don't have to take care of it after install.

The fact is, nothing is maintenance free; wood, concrete, and even vinyl.

I've seen a lot of 100 year old wood still hanging, but not the rest.

**tom struble** · 05-08-2009, 07:52 PM

great point Jason the older i get the more the natural sidings appeal to me,i think there was an article in jlc awhile back about a guy who made his own shingles out of hardie planks.
Make a few sq. like that and you will probably be ''happy'' to just buy them

**Unforgiven** · 05-08-2009, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by tom struble

great point Jason the older i get the more the natural sidings appeal to me,i think there was an article in jlc awhile back about a guy who made his own shingles out of hardie planks.
Make a few sq. like that and you will probably be ''happy'' to just buy them

April 2008, Page 67

**Mark Parlee** · 05-09-2009, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by No faux zone

Personally, I'm losing interest in concrete siding and going back to wood. People who want concrete siding seem to think they don't have to take care of it after install.

The fact is, nothing is maintenance free; wood, concrete, and even vinyl.

I've seen a lot of 100 year old wood still hanging, but not the rest.

Jason

The product is not concrete but rather fiber cement. I often hear it referred to as concrete siding and I correct this when it comes up. The manufacturer probably loves this because it really makes the material seem tough when in reality it is a product that requires attention be paid to the details in which it is applied otherwise it will never make its fifty years as the warranty implies.. This product enjoys very powerful marketing and has taken on a life of its own as architects and designers blindly specify its use for all sorts of projects.
I believe as time goes on the love affair with this product will see an end and the reality of its frailness will start to come to light. I am seeing more and more problems albeit installation details but problems nonetheless.
I am sure we will discuss further.
There are other products that are starting to show that seem a little more friendly.

BBJHHSS ??

**tom struble** · 05-10-2009, 07:43 AM

Are you thinking engineered wood Mark?

**Catspaw** · 05-10-2009, 07:44 AM

FWIW, I priced some vinyl shake siding and it was about 3X the cost of regular vinyl. Maybe they charge more because they think they can.

I spoke with a Hardi rep. at a builder's show the other day and he said that they have recently changed their formulation.

This product looks like it might be a good alternative (more $ though):

http://www.microposite.com/index.html

- Rich

**Mark Parlee** · 05-10-2009, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by tom struble

Are you thinking engineered wood Mark?

I am researching my options and have made some preliminary decisions but still heavy into research

BBJHHSS

**tom struble** · 05-10-2009, 05:30 PM

it seems most man made sidings have a designed lifespan to coincide with the lifespan of asphalt roofing
Need a new roof? its probably time to reside too,no matter what the ''lifetime'' warranty says

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