Hardboard vs. Vinyl

[Susan]

We did find out that our home will have an OSB wrap before the vinyl siding is put on, however the vinyl we saw seems kind of flimsy to us. We did find out we can get hardboard (not hardiplank), but we've also heard horror storries about that stuff rotting.

We know w/hardboard you can just repaint if you get tired of the color, which is not that big of an issue w/us, we just want to make sure we are getting the best exterior covering for our money.

The home will be placed in the Central TX region, so heavy rainfall or wind is only an occassional issue.

[rmurray]

You are a careful shopper...you have just made a discovery that few ever notice...There are many quality levels of vinyl siding and some homes come with very flimsey product...Most..if not all vinyl is warranteed for life by its manufacturer...but that is only as good as the company who made the stuff..

The Hardie Board you are mentioning is NOT the hardboard you have heard horror stories about...It is a siding based on concrete....You might want to go here to investigate the product and its 50 year warranty (more than a lifetime for me)..

http://www.jameshardie.com/index_flash.htm

[jgn]

Susan, If given options I would select hardipanel/plank first but it seems you were not given that option. The other hardboard panels are not as good as hardipanel but if you take care of them they will last for a long time without problems. I have a cheap panel exterior on my 76DW, keep it painted and it gives me no problems.

[Mac]

Key word: Keep it painted.
I had LP Inner-Seal OSB siding (the one that grew mushrooms in our NW climate) - I primed the bottom of each lap board with two coats, then put two top coats on. The rot didn't get any worse.
I would imagine hardboard is fine if you are meticulous about maintenance and/or live in a dry climate.
On our new house, Hardi-Plank was standard; I'd have optioned it up if not. But we get 40" of rain fairly evenly distributed over several months, so we need it here.

[tahlborn]

Patriot is offering Hardipanel as an upgrade option on most all their Indiana based homes. It's a pricey option but one that I would like to have on my home. The Vipco brand siding I have is good, but the James Hardi products is the best! Besides no expanding ticking noises in sun, cold, etc, no fading, and when you get tired of the color.. paint it. (yeah, more work and maintainence..) but what happens when the vinyl siding has lost it's luster? Paint or change.

Tim

[angelnstix]

Susan, DEFINENTLY go with the hardiboard. That is what we got on our new home, it is WONDERFUL! Vinyl siding sucks, plain and simple, it sucks. Spend the extra money and get what lasts. My first home had vinyl siding and the first hail storm that we got put it full of holes, it looked like crap and those warranties are a joke, trust me. Good luck, and you are very wise for asking questions and getting input from good sources before you buy. Have a Merry Christmas! angelnstix

[Bill Fry]

Remember Hardiboard(good) and Hardboard(bad) are two different products.Its common practice in manufacturing to make a so so product sound like a good one by giving it a similar name.
Hardiboard is an excellent product but be sure thats what you are getting and not a knockoff.
In the case of flooring materials makers of particleboard go to the extreme in coming up with names that don't sound anything close to that junk (novadecking for one)

[Susan]

We found out it is harboard by Louisiana Pacific and from the reading and replys we'd be better off going w/vinyl siding w/an OSB protective wrap, unless I start to hear otherwise. I see that hardboard seems to be nothing more than an upgraded papertype covering.

We were not impressed w/the vinly siding either, seams were all in the front of the house, didn't bother to try to hide them, felt kinda springy when pushed, but at least it comes w/a lifetime warrenty.

FYI, the flooring will be OSB, which seems to be pretty good.

[jgn]

See if you can upgrade the siding to a better quality that is not as flimsy. Be sure to read the lifetime warranty. What do they consider lifetime and under what conditions? Vinly siding is not expensive and even if they warranty it for "lifetime" what about replacement labor costs. You can get insulated or backed vinyl which is stiffer and has a R factor. OSB or plywood floors are a good choice.

[angelnstix]

My post I made to this was removed....some things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........................VINYL IS NO GOOD. My opinion, only put simpler than before....hmmmm.