Selecting the perfect siding for your home is much more than just a cosmetic choice; it’s a significant investment that affects your home’s durability and value. Some homeowners miss the eight main signs that it’s time to replace their home’s siding. There are so many brands in the siding marketing, and you don’t want to make the wrong choice.
There are two really great brands to choose from when choosing premium sidings: Alside Ascend and Hardie Plank Lap Siding. Because of their ruggedness and aesthetic appeal, these brands cater to many homeowner needs. However, what are the differences between Hardie fiber cement siding and Alside Ascend composite cladding?
Let’s compare Alside Ascend vs. Hardie Siding.
Overview of Alside Ascend and Hardie Plank Lap Siding
Alside Ascend Composite Cladding:
Alside Ascend siding is made of glass fibers, polymers, polystyrene, and graphite that are combined to produce a composite cladding. The combination of these materials makes the siding durable, fire-resistant, wind-resistant, and fade-resistant.
Additionally, Alside Ascend Composite Cladding requires little to no maintenance. Because of this, you won’t have to repaint your siding. Your house will look as if it had just been painted, even if it has been decades since the siding was installed.
Homeowners today expect premium siding at an affordable price backed by a lifetime warranty. This is where Alside Ascend steps in with composite cladding siding that rivals more expensive brands in terms of cost.
James Hardie Siding (Hardie Board)
James Hardie Siding, often known as Hardie Board, is constructed from fiber cement, combining cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This material composition provides substantial durability, with increased resistance to cracking, rotting, and warping compared to some other materials. A major advantage of Hardie Board siding is that it won’t dent or break like vinyl siding. In addition, its color-stay formula keeps your chosen color polished and bold for years to come.
Hardie Board is widely appreciated for its robustness and longevity. It is available in various textures and colors, allowing for flexible design options tailored to different architectural styles.
Warranty and Manufacturer Support
Alside Ascend Composite Cladding: Alside offers a comprehensive warranty for its Ascend cladding, covering aspects like material defects and fade resistance. The warranty typically ensures that the siding will remain free from manufacturing defects and will not excessively fade beyond what is expected during the warranty period. Additionally, Alside provides great customer support to assist homeowners with any queries or issues, facilitating a smoother customer experience from purchase to installation and beyond.
James Hardie Siding (Hardie Board): James Hardie provides an equally compelling warranty for its siding products, which can extend up to 30 years, signifying strong protection against material and workmanship defects. The warranty details specific coverage against problems like delamination, cracking, and rotting under normal conditions, underscoring the product’s reliability. Hardie Board’s warranty is often highlighted as a key selling point, and the company supports its clients with a dedicated customer service team that offers guidance and assistance through various stages of the siding’s lifecycle.
Weather and Climate Adaptability
Alside Ascend: Alside Ascend is engineered to withstand a variety of climate conditions. Its composite material resists moisture, preventing the growth of mold and mildew—a common concern in humid or rainy environments. Additionally, the siding is built to maintain structural integrity and aesthetic appeal in regions that experience extreme temperature changes, ensuring minimal expansion and contraction, which can lead to wear over time.
Hardie Plank Lap Siding: Hardie Board’s fiber cement composition gives it a notable edge in diverse weather conditions. It is highly resistant to damage from rain, snow, and humidity, which makes it particularly suitable for homes in coastal or wet climates where moisture can be a persistent issue. Hardie Board is also non-combustible, offering excellent fire resistance, an essential consideration for areas prone to wildfires or high temperatures. Its thermal resistance also helps in maintaining interior comfort regardless of external weather conditions.
Top Siding Colors and Styles
Alside Ascend Composite Cladding:
- Color Variety:
The Alside Ascend line offers a wide range of colors, from neutral tones to more vibrant options, all engineered to resist fading from sunlight exposure.
Some top color options include:
- Deep Moss – A muted green perfect for natural, earthy home designs.
- Flagship Brown – A rich, dark brown that offers a strong, sophisticated presence.
- Pebble – A neutral brown that complements homes with a traditional aesthetic.
- Style Options:
- The siding from this line also features a wood-like texture that provides the aesthetic of natural wood without maintenance, suitable for adding a rustic or traditional charm to homes. The texture mimics the classic look of real wood with a detailed grain pattern. If you are looking for something more minimalistic, they offer a smooth finish siding that provides a sleek, contemporary look for modern architectural designs.
James Hardie Plank Lap Siding
- With ColorPlus® Technology, Hardie Board utilizes a unique color application process that bakes the color onto the boards, enhancing durability and fade resistance under UV exposure.
ColorPlus® Technology Colors:
- Evening Blue – A deep, calming blue ideal for a striking yet traditional look.
- Mountain Sage – A natural green that’s neither too light nor too dark and pairs well with soft neutrals
- Arctic White – A crisp, clean white that offers a fresh and timeless appearance.
- Diverse Textures:
Available in a variety of textures, from smooth and modern to rustic options that mimic wood, stucco, or stone, allowing for greater customization to match architectural styles.
Some top texture options include:
- Cedarmill – Textured to mimic the natural look and feel of wood siding.
- Smooth – A flat, clean finish that suits more modern home designs.
- Stucco – Designed to replicate the classic stucco finish for a Mediterranean or Spanish look.
Hardie Board and Alside Ascend both have a wide range of colors and styles, so your siding can be customized to fit your aesthetic preferences. By combining style with advanced material properties, each brand ensures that exterior siding looks appealing, performs effectively, and is durable.
Installation Process and Professional Availability
Alside Ascend Composite Cladding: Alside Ascend is designed for ease of installation, featuring a lightweight composite material that can be handled and cut more simply than traditional materials. The innovative clip system allows for quick, secure, and gap-free installation, which can significantly reduce labor time and costs. This user-friendly design not only speeds up the installation process but also reduces the potential for installation errors. Alside also has a broad network of certified professionals across the country, including our siding experts at Unified Home Remodeling, ensuring that homeowners can easily find qualified installers.
James Hardie Siding (Hardie Board): Installation of Hardie Board is a more specialized process due to its heavy, durable fiber cement material that requires specific tools and techniques. Proper installation is crucial to maximize the performance and lifespan of Hardie Board siding, including specific practices for cutting and fastening to prevent damage and ensure weather resistance.
James Hardie provides comprehensive training for installers and maintains a list of preferred contractors who are trained to adhere to the company’s strict installation guidelines. This ensures that homeowners receive high-quality installation services that uphold the product’s warranty standards.
If you need help with what to look for when selecting a Siding Contractor, read our step-by-step guide.
Fire Resistance and Safety Features
Alside Ascend Composite Cladding: Alside Ascend offers commendable fire resistance due to its composite material composition, which is designed to withstand moderate exposure to heat and flame. This makes it a safer option for areas where fire hazards might be a concern, providing an additional layer of security for homeowners. While not completely fireproof, Ascend’s fire-resistant properties can help slow the spread of flames, potentially providing crucial extra time in the event of a fire.
James Hardie Plank Lap Siding: The non-combustible fiber cement material of James Hardie Plank Lap Siding elevates fire resistance to a higher level. This makes Hardie Board an excellent choice for fire-prone areas, as it can withstand direct exposure to flames without catching fire. The siding’s ability to resist high temperatures and direct flame makes it a top contender for safety-conscious homeowners looking to enhance their home’s fire resistance.
Which Siding Is Better?
At the end of the day, you are the one who determines which siding is the best. For those who prefer products that have been on the market for a long time, Hardie siding is the product to choose.
As well as high-quality and highly-rated vinyl siding options, Alside is also an established name in the siding industry. Don’t forget that Ascend requires very little maintenance. If the price is right, the high performance and ease of installation make choosing Alsida an easy decision.
You can’t go wrong when choosing Alside Ascend vs. Hardie Plank Lap Siding for your home improvement. There is nothing better than upgrading your home and experiencing the happiness that comes with it.
Say YES to Expert Siding Installation From Unified!
If your home’s siding needs to be replaced, are you ready to start the process? Unified Home Remodeling will help you decide between Alside Ascend and Hardie Siding. Despite both brands’ incredible benefits, we can help you choose the best product for your budget and needs. A siding project can transform an ordinary home’s exterior into the best-looking house on the block. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to schedule a free consultation with our team of home siding experts! Call us at 888-631-2131 or fill out our convenient online form.
