The Southwest Exteriors Team Is At Your Service!
We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about siding and windows. Feel free to contact us or call 210-828-5555. For your convenience, here are a few of our most frequently asked questions about Hardiplank Replacement Siding and Southwest Exteriors:
Frequently Asked Questions About Hardiplank® Siding
Q. What is the composition of Hardiplank® Siding?
A. Only the finest raw materials are used for Hardiplank. Premium cement, finely-ground sand, natural cellulose (wood) fibers, and water are combined and cured through a proprietary manufacturing process into the most durable siding material on earth.
Q. How long have you been in business?
A. James Hardie® Industries was founded in Australia in 1888 and began selling fiber cement products in 1903.The company opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Fontana, California, in 1989. Hardiplank is now manufactured in eight plants in the U.S.–two are in Texas–and has been installed on over 3 million homes in this country. Southwest Exteriors has been in business since 1989 and under present management since 1992. Southwest Exteriors has been installing Hardiplank since 1997 and was the first James Hardie Preferred Remodeler in the San Antonio area.
Q. How much, on average, does it cost the homeowner for Southwest Exteriors to install HardiPlank® replacement siding?
A. Costs vary depending on the size of the residence and the amount of siding used as well as the degree of difficulty. Most of our jobs fall in the $13,000 to $17,000 range. Our minimum for a siding installation project is $5,000.
Q. Once Hardiplank is installed will I ever have to paint it again?
A. No. Southwest Exteriors installs Hardiplank with factory-applied Prime PlusTM primer, which is a light gray-green color. After installing the Hardiplank, we apply a high performance coating, available in any color you choose within the parameters of your homeowners’ association. The coating is guaranteed by the manufacturer not to peel or blister as long as you own your home.
Q. What is the size and shape of Hardiplank?
A. Hardiplank consists of 12 ft. long boards that come in various styles and widths. Most of what we install is 8 1/4″ wide, which provides a 7″ exposure. This size is the choice of homeowners for 90 percent of our siding work. Hardipanels are 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets.
Q. Does Hardiplank comply with homeowners’ association restrictive covenants?
A. Each homeowners’ association has a different set of restrictive covenants, but all of our clients have received approval for Hardiplank installation. If your home currently has siding on it, chances are excellent that Hardiplank will be accepted. Southwest Exteriors communicates with the homeowners’ association on behalf of each of our clients to coordinate the approval process.
Q. Is Hardiplank resistant to mold?
A. Yes. Hardiplank is sealed to keep out moisture. The coating has mildicide in it to protect against mold growth. If dirt is splattered against the coating and mold grows on the dirt, the coating cleans easily with water from a garden hose.
Q. How is Hardiplank installed and how long does it take?
A. An underlayment to protect against moisture infiltration is applied first to the exterior of the house, then the Hardiplank is nailed on top. The installation process usually takes 5 to 7 working days. Applying the coating usually takes 3 to 5 working days. These are only averages; it all depends on the size of the job.
Q. Is Hardiplank installed on top of my existing siding?
A. For two out of three homes, we do install Hardiplank on top of the existing siding, if the siding is in good condition and the surface is flat. If the existing siding is too soft or has rotted, then it has to be removed.
Q. What is the warranty?
A. Hardiplank has a 50 year warranty from the manufacturer and the coating has a warranty for as long as you own your house. Southwest Exteriors guarantees labor for 10 years on the siding and 5 years on the coating.
Q. Is the weight of Hardiplank an issue?
A. Absolutely not. Hardiplank weighs 2.3 lbs per square foot. That is about the same weight as 5/8″ thick Sheetrock. Hardiplank is installed on load-bearing walls. It has been installed on over 3 million homes and the weight of the product has never been an issue.
Q. What is the advantage of Hardiplank compared to vinyl siding?
A. Only Hardiplank provides a lifetime solution to your siding problems and gives your home the look and feel of real wood. It has excellent durability and will not rot, warp, or burn. It is dimensionally stable and it will not expand or contract like vinyl siding. Southwest Exteriors has removed vinyl siding from several homes and replaced it with Hardiplank.
Q. Should I have my windows replaced when I replace the siding?
A. It is preferable to replace the windows when you replace the siding, but window replacement can be performed later, if desired.
Q. Do you use Hardiplank for siding repair?
A. Southwest Exteriors has a $5,000 minimum for Hardiplank replacement siding projects, so it would depend on how extensive the repairs are.
Q. Do you replace soffits with Hardiplank?
A. If the soffits are in good condition, we can apply the coating to them to match the new siding. If repairs are necessary, we can create new soffits from HardiSoffit.
Q. On what types of houses do you normally install Hardiplank?
A. In the San Antonio area, most of our clients own homes built in the 1970s and 1980s. Hardiplank performs best when used to replace existing wood siding or Masonite. It is not available for replacing rock or stucco.
Q. Is Hardiplank resistant to damage from insects and weather?
A. Termites and other wood-eating insects will not be able to penetrate Hardiplank. The product is also resistant to damage from hail, freezing temperatures, rain, and humidity.
Q. If I install Hardiplank will I be eligible for an insurance discount?
A. Some insurers allow a fire insurance discount. You should discuss this with your own insurance agent.
Q. Are there any environmental or health concerns associated with Hardiplank?
A. No. Hardiplank is an environmentally friendly and safe product. It contains no asbestos, glass fibers, or formaldehyde.
Q. Do you have a referral program?
A. Yes. Anyone who refers a homeowner to us that results in a scheduled appointment and presentation will receive a $50 check from Southwest Exteriors. If we earn that homeowner’s business and the project is more than $5,000, the person who made the referral will receive a $250 check from Southwest Exteriors.
