The words ‘green,’ ‘eco-friendly,’ and ‘sustainable’ are buzzwords these days. When replacing the siding on your home, it is important to understand the full environmental impact of your project. The eco-friendliness of the siding you choose is not only determined by whether the material it’s made of is recyclable; there are other factors to consider that might create a ripple effect on the environment, like:
- How the siding material impacts landfills once removed and replaced
- The longevity and durability of the material
- The resources it takes to maintain and replace the siding
On the surface, one would assume that wood siding would be the most eco-friendly choice. After all, wood is a biodegradable, recyclable, and a natural resource. However, when you factor in its longevity, real wood isn’t too impressive, because our “new wood” is not very durable, especially living in Colorado’s mood-swing weather. Wood products require continuous maintenance and frequent replacement, which knocks off some eco-friendliness points.
Also, there are many “composites” or “wood fiber” products which are full of additives and adhesives that are harmful to the environment. Think of the oil and gas it takes to produce and ship siding replacement products.
What about the cost of repair and maintenance?
While wood is biodegradable, it still takes time to break down, and time is something our landfills don’t have. So, what’s the better choice? In my experience and expert opinion, there’s no better eco-friendly product than fiber cement siding.
Why is James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding an Eco-Friendly Option?
Remember, when it comes to “green” siding, it’s about more than just the material itself, you must consider durability, longevity, maintenance, and the manufacturing impact to the environment.
At Colorado Siding Repair, our top recommendation to any homeowner interested in a cost-effective, green siding choice, is James Hardie fiber cement siding. James Hardie, the leader in fiber cement siding and trim, has been named the “Greenest Siding Brand” in the Green Builder® Media annual Readers’ Choice survey for 2020.
From a manufacturing standpoint, James Hardie locally sources a minimum of 75% of their raw materials from 10 strategically located regional plants. The plant that supplies the Denver and Mountain Regions is has an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System.
Other reasons James Hardie is Colorado Siding Repairs’ first choice:
- Its color coating is applied in a controlled environment, before installation, eliminating the need for on-site paint which contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs.)
- Fiber cement siding materials last longer with less maintenance than other product choices.
- The Zero to Landfill Project demonstrates its dedication to waste reduction.
Why is Fiber Cement Cost-effective?
Sure, wooden siding products may be cheaper upfront, and at Colorado Siding Repair, we’ll always honor your budget, but I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t tell you that, in the long run, fiber cement siding will end up saving you money.
Why?
Simply put, fiber cement siding is built to last. If you have engineered or natural wood siding, it might require repairs, re-painting, or replacing every five to ten years (or less if damaged by a severe storm or fire.) Wouldn’t it only make sense that you’d pay more in the long run, not only on the product, but for labor, delivery, and shipment costs than if you purchased siding that would only last for 15 to 20 years?
With fiber cement siding you not only get longevity, but quality and durability. James Hardie fiber cement siding has a 30-year non-prorated product warranty, and Colorado Siding Repair stands by their workmanship for that same period of time!
Of course, at Colorado Siding Repair, your budget and education on the products matters to us. No matter what siding you choose for your home, we’ll guarantee you a no-pressure, educational and honest estimate every time. We stand behind our products and our customers.
