Homeowners want the best quality materials for their home, and sometimes they quickly rule out traditional siding options, like natural wood and vinyl, and begin exploring products that are low-maintenance, durable, and long-lasting. James Hardie cedar shake siding is a popular alternative, however. it comes up short in comparison to steel siding products.
There’s one steel product in particular that homeowners should look into further: TruLog steel lap siding. Fairly new to the market, TruLog steel lap siding is a high-performance alternative that is better than Hardiplank cedar siding. Take a look at the side-by-side comparison of these two durable siding products and see for yourself:
Installation
HardiPlank cedar shake siding is made from fiber cement, which means that it can be a daunting material to work with. In fact, a professional fiber cement specialist is required for the installation of cedar shake Hardie siding. Hardie cedar shake siding isn’t even available to purchase unless you go through a contractor, which can put a huge damper on DIY enthusiasts who are looking forward to getting their hands on a new siding installation project.
TruLog, on the other hand, is available for direct order, which means that their steel siding products can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. TruLog also arranges the delivery straight to your home, and it gets better for those who don’t want to rely on contractors — TruLog provides clear installation tips on its website, with detailed steps on everything from the very first corner piece to navigating window edging. This is a great resource for individuals who like to tackle home improvement projects on their own.
Durability
There’s no doubt that Hardie cedar shake siding and TruLog steel lap siding both offer much more durability than traditional siding materials, like raw wood, asphalt shingles, or vinyl. In fact, James Hardie cedar siding is backed by a 30-year warranty, and TruLog steel products are backed by a 30-year paint protection warranty.
The fact that James Hardie provides a long list of tips on touching up paint chips, cracks, and punctured areas in their siding could be viewed as a serious red flag for homeowners. After all, if Hardiplank cedar shake siding is so durable, why would they provide instructions on how to make repairs, restrict caulking to only products advertised as ‘permanently flexible’ and sell color touch-up kits?
Maintenance
Both products are low-maintenance compared to traditional siding materials, but it’s recommended to spray down James Hardie cedar siding with a hose every 6 to 12 months to keep it looking good. This should be done with extreme care, though, as strong pressure washers can damage Hardie cedar siding. The manufacturer recommends staying at least 6 feet away from the wall and keeping the pressure below 1500 psi when spraying down Hardie cedar shake.
TruLog steel lap siding, on the other hand, requires no maintenance. Spraying it down with a hose is recommended if it appears to have dirt anywhere, however TruLog’s steel siding is advertised as being entirely maintenance-free.
Cost
The cost of purchasing and installing these products will depend on the size of the home, which is why homeowners are encouraged to contact the companies directly to receive an accurate quote. TruLog steel lap siding comes with everything needed for installation, including the foam backer. For homeowners choosing to reinforce their cedar siding, HardieWrap weather barrier is an optional addition, though it will cost extra.
It’s important to remember that HardiPlank cedar shake siding requires installation by a contractor, too, so the cost of labor must be factored in. Homeowners who hire a contractor to install TruLog steel lap siding will also need to pay for labor costs, but they also have the luxury of choosing DIY installation as well, which simply isn’t an option with James Hardie cedar siding.
As with any home improvement project, anticipating possible repairs will also affect cost and value calculations. Steel and fiber cement are both strong products that are superior to flimsy materials like vinyl. Steel and fiber cement are both weather-resistant, fire-resistant, and insusceptible to insect damage. Both products also offer warranties, the details of which should be thoroughly examined prior to purchase. Though the extent and timing of siding repairs can never be determined in advance, homeowners may find the color touch-up and repair suggestions provided by the Hardie cedar shake website questionable. If touch-ups can be expected with James Hardie cedar siding, this can certainly add to the overall cost of the product in the long run.
After a review of all of the information, it’s safe to say that TruLog steel siding comes out on top and should be considered for homeowners who value durability and longevity. Contact the siding experts at Trulog today for more information on steel lap siding.
