| Product Line | Material Cost (per sq ft) | Installed Cost (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank Lap Siding | $0.90–$2.50 | $8–$12 |
| HardiePanel Vertical Siding | $0.75–$2.00 | $7–$11 |
| HardieShingle Siding | $2.00–$4.00 | $10–$14 |
| HardieTrim Boards | $1.50–$3.50/ln ft | $3–$6/ln ft installed |
| HardieSoffit | $1.00–$2.50 | $6–$10 |
HardiePlank is the most commonly installed product — traditional horizontal lap siding that accounts for the majority of James Hardie installations. HardieShingle costs more because of the labor-intensive installation of individual shingle-pattern pieces. HardiePanel vertical siding is the most economical product in the line.
For a 1,500 square foot single-story home with a relatively simple exterior, a full HardiePlank replacement runs $10,000 to $16,000 installed. Multi-story homes, complex rooflines, or homes with significant architectural detail cost more — $15,000 to $25,000 or higher. These figures include removal of existing siding, installation of new housewrap, the Hardie product, trim boards, and caulking. Paint is often included for primed products; factory ColorPlus finish adds to material cost but reduces long-term painting expense.
HardiePlank is the flagship horizontal lap siding, available in 6-inch, 7-inch, and 8.25-inch exposures. It's the most versatile and widely stocked product. HardiePanel is a vertical board-and-batten option that installs faster and is often used on barns, modern farmhouse exteriors, and commercial applications. HardieShingle replicates the look of wood shingles or cedar shake for craftsman, cottage, and coastal architectural styles — beautiful but labor-intensive.
James Hardie publishes separate warranties for the fiber cement product and for the ColorPlus factory finish. The terms, durations and transfer rules differ between them and change over time, so read the current terms published on James Hardie’s own site for the product you are quoted rather than relying on any summary, including this one. Coverage requires installation by a contractor following Hardie's installation guidelines and using James Hardie fasteners. Improper installation — a common issue with non-certified contractors — can void warranty claims.
James Hardie operates a contractor certification program called HardieZone — certified contractors complete training on climate-specific installation requirements. Certified contractors typically charge slightly more but understand zone-specific details like proper clearances from soil and flashing requirements. More importantly, warranty claims typically require documentation that installation followed Hardie specifications. Using a certified contractor protects both the warranty and the long-term performance.
The main cost drivers beyond product line: existing siding removal ($1–$3/sq ft), condition of the underlying sheathing and housewrap (replacing damaged sheathing adds cost), number of stories (multi-story requires more staging and labor time), architectural complexity (dormers, gables, multiple penetrations add labor), and whether you choose primed-only Hardie (you paint) or factory ColorPlus finish (higher material cost, lower future maintenance).
Labor, not material, is usually what pushes your Hardie Board quote higher or lower, especially in high-cost-of-labor markets. Get quotes from certified installers so you're comparing real apples to apples.
These are the questions homeowners ask most often before starting this project - what it costs, how long it takes, what a fair quote looks like and which details change the price. Each answer below is written to stand on its own, so you can read just the one you need.
