Quick Answer
Vinyl costs less up front and needs almost no upkeep. James Hardie fiber cement costs more, will not burn, and recently returned more at resale. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report’s Middle Atlantic figures, a fiber cement re-side averaged $25,666 and recouped 99 percent of its cost, while vinyl averaged $21,175 and recouped 96 percent.
Vinyl and James Hardie fiber cement are both sound choices for a re-side, which is exactly what makes the decision hard. One costs less and asks almost nothing of you after installation. The other costs more, stands up better to fire and impact, and needs paint eventually unless you order it factory finished.
Emmons installs both, so this page does not argue for either one. It works through the current cost and resale figures from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, what each manufacturer’s warranty actually promises, and the situations where each material earns its price.
01
How Much More Does James Hardie Cost Than Vinyl?
About 20 percent more on an average project. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report puts a fiber cement siding replacement at $25,666 in the Middle Atlantic region and a vinyl siding replacement at $21,175, a difference of $4,491. The national averages are $21,485 and $17,950, a difference of $3,535.
Average Siding Replacement Job Cost, 2025
Source: Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, national averages and Middle Atlantic region. Costs are estimates for a defined project, not a quote for your home. Fiber cement is $4,491 (21 percent) more than vinyl in the Middle Atlantic figures and $3,535 (20 percent) more nationally.
The report’s Middle Atlantic figures are built from 10 cities in New York and Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, which makes them the closest published benchmark for South Jersey and the Pennsylvania suburbs. House size, trim detail, the number of stories, and what turns up behind the old siding will move your actual price in either direction.
Most of the gap is labor and handling. Cutting fiber cement releases crystalline silica dust, and OSHA’s construction silica standard lists dust-collecting saws, used outdoors, as the control method for that work. James Hardie’s installation instructions call for blind nailing and require every field-cut edge to be caulked, painted, or primed. Vinyl panels, by contrast, are cut with snips or a reversed plywood blade and hung loosely on nails. In Emmons’ experience, a vinyl re-side on a typical two-story home takes about four to six working days, and the same house in James Hardie takes about seven to ten.
Why this page does not quote a price per square foot
Per-square-foot siding prices published online vary widely and rarely say what is included: tear-off, disposal, house wrap, trim, or sheathing repair. The Cost vs. Value figures are the most consistent public benchmark, but the number that matters is a written, itemized estimate for your house.
02
Which Siding Adds More Resale Value?
In the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, fiber cement did. Real estate agents estimated that a Middle Atlantic fiber cement re-side adds $25,475 at sale, or 99 percent of its cost, compared with $20,391, or 96 percent, for vinyl. Nationally, fiber cement recouped 114 percent of its cost and vinyl 97 percent.
Share of Siding Replacement Cost Recouped at Resale, 2025
Source: Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. Resale values are estimates from a survey of more than 6,000 real estate agents, not closed sales.
| Project | Job cost | Resale value | Cost minus resale value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber cement, Middle Atlantic | $25,666 | $25,475 | $191 |
| Vinyl, Middle Atlantic | $21,175 | $20,391 | $784 |
| Fiber cement, national | $21,485 | $24,420 | Value exceeds cost by $2,935 |
| Vinyl, national | $17,950 | $17,313 | $637 |
The last column is simple subtraction: job cost minus the estimated value added at sale. On the 2025 figures, the extra $4,491 a Middle Atlantic homeowner spends on fiber cement comes back as about $5,084 of extra resale value, so the two projects end up within a few hundred dollars of each other if the house sells.
Treat those figures as directional. They are agents’ estimates, and they move from year to year. In the 2024 report, the same two projects recouped 88 percent and 80 percent nationally, well below the 2025 results. The report itself notes that resale value is only one factor in a remodeling decision and recommends talking with local remodelers and an experienced real estate agent about your neighborhood.
The honest read on resale value
The Cost vs. Value data says buyers’ agents value fiber cement highly, and that its premium is largely returned at sale. It does not say vinyl is a poor investment: recouping 96 percent of the cost is strong for any remodeling project. The premium for fiber cement is still about $4,500 of cash you need today, and that matters more to most budgets than a resale estimate that may change next year.
03
How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last Compared With James Hardie?
Both can last for decades, and no current independent study separates them cleanly. The most-cited source, a 2007 National Association of Home Builders survey of manufacturers and trade groups, rated both vinyl and fiber cement as lifetime materials. That study is nearly 20 years old, so treat any precise lifespan figure with caution.
Many siding comparisons quote specific lifespans, such as 25 to 40 years for vinyl and 50 years or more for fiber cement. We could not find a current, independent source behind those numbers, so this page does not use them. The NAHB study, sponsored by Bank of America Home Equity, said its figures should be used as a general guideline only, and many of the people it interviewed emphasized that maintenance drives how long components last.
Warranty length is often quoted as a lifespan, but it measures something different: what the manufacturer will pay for if the product itself is defective. In Emmons’ experience, siding is rarely replaced because the material simply wore out. It is replaced because of storm or impact damage, faded or dated color, or water damage behind the wall that traces back to flashing and installation. Our guide to the average lifespan of vinyl siding covers the signs that vinyl is due for replacement.
04
How Do the James Hardie and Vinyl Warranties Compare?
James Hardie’s HZ5 siding warranty runs 30 years from purchase, does not step down over that term, and covers the product but not labor. CertainTeed’s CedarBoards insulated vinyl carries a lifetime limited warranty that can include original installation labor, but it becomes a prorated 50-year warranty once the house changes hands.
| Term | James Hardie HZ5 siding and trim | CertainTeed CedarBoards insulated vinyl |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 30 years from the date of purchase. | Lifetime for the original owner who lives in the single-family home. |
| Proration | Not prorated. Reimbursement of up to twice the original retail cost of the defective portion applies from year 1 through year 30. | Not prorated for the original owner. Later owners get a 50-year prorated warranty that falls to 10 percent of coverage after year 14. |
| Transfer | Covers the first owner of the structure and the first transferee. | Transfers automatically, as the prorated 50-year warranty. Fade coverage does not transfer. |
| Labor | Excluded. Hardie will not pay labor or accessory material costs. | The remedy can include the labor cost of the original installation. |
| Finish | ColorPlus finish: separate 15-year warranty against peeling, cracking, and chipping. Normal fading is excluded. | Limited fade warranty against fading beyond normal weathering. |
| Installation | Excludes damage from installation that does not follow Hardie’s published instructions and local codes. | Excludes installation not in strict adherence with CertainTeed’s written instructions. |
The ColorPlus finish warranty deserves a closer look. Besides refunding or replacing defective boards, Hardie may instead pay up to $2.15 per square foot for paint and labor in the first year. From the second through the 15th year, that payment drops by 6.67 percent a year. It also excludes fading and chalking from normal weathering, covering only color change of more than four delta E units in the first three years.
Homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania get James Hardie’s HZ5 line, engineered for freezing temperatures. Its HZ10 line is warranted only in Southern and some Western states. Other vinyl lines Emmons installs, including CertainTeed Mainstreet, CertainTeed Monogram, and Ply Gem Mastic, carry their own terms, so ask to see the actual warranty document for the product you are quoted.
05
Which Siding Holds Up Better to Fire, Hail, and Heat?
Fiber cement does. James Hardie siding is noncombustible under ASTM E136, has a flame spread index of zero under ASTM E84, and its warranty covers hail and woodpecker damage. Vinyl softens and can melt under high heat, and sunlight reflected and concentrated by some low-E windows can distort it.
Fire
James Hardie verifies its siding as noncombustible, meaning it will not ignite or add fuel to a fire, and rates it Class A, the highest classification under ASTM E84. CertainTeed’s own specification for CedarBoards warns that vinyl exposed to significant heat or flame will soften, sag, melt, or burn, which can expose the material underneath. Neither material makes a house fireproof, but on a tight lot or near a neighbor’s grill, the difference is real.
Reflected sunlight
The Vinyl Siding Institute reports that most cases of vinyl distortion from reflected sunlight trace to double-pane windows whose glass has bowed slightly inward. The concave glass concentrates sunlight onto a small patch of siding, and low-E coatings reflect more heat than ordinary glass. It is uncommon, but when it happens, the damage shows up as a wavy section of wall facing a neighbor’s window. Fiber cement does not soften with heat the way vinyl does.
Hail and impact
James Hardie’s warranty states that its HZ5 siding resists hail damage and will not be damaged by termites or other wood-boring insects. CertainTeed also offers a limited hail warranty on CedarBoards, with conditions, including that the owner first pursue an insurance claim. If your siding takes storm damage, our guide to storm damage insurance claims covers what usually qualifies.
Coastal exposure
At the Jersey Shore, fasteners matter as much as the siding. James Hardie’s installation instructions recommend stainless steel fasteners near the ocean or large bodies of water, and hot-dipped galvanized nails elsewhere. Ask any contractor what fasteners they plan to use on a coastal home, whichever material you choose.
06
What Maintenance Does Each Siding Need?
Both need regular washing, and fiber cement also needs paint. James Hardie recommends rinsing its siding with a garden hose every six to 12 months and warns that pressure washing can damage it. Primed Hardie boards must be painted after installation, while ColorPlus boards arrive factory finished. CertainTeed describes its vinyl as never needing paint.
James Hardie’s homeowner care guidance also calls for replacing failed caulk with a quality paintable latex caulk and repainting damaged areas promptly with 100 percent acrylic paint. How often a primed and field-painted house needs a full repaint depends on the paint, the color, and sun exposure, so follow the paint manufacturer’s warranty rather than a rule of thumb. ColorPlus costs more up front in exchange for a finish backed by its own 15-year warranty.
Vinyl’s upkeep is mostly cleaning. The tradeoff is repair: a cracked vinyl panel can usually be unlocked and replaced, but in Emmons’ experience, matching the color of panels that have weathered for 15 years can be difficult. Fiber cement repairs involve cutting, fastening, and touching up paint, and a repainted wall hides the patch.
07
Is Insulated Vinyl Siding Worth the Upgrade?
It can be, especially on older homes with little wall insulation. CertainTeed rates its CedarBoards insulated vinyl at R-2.0 to R-2.7 depending on the profile, tested under ASTM C1363. Federal rules require any R-value advertised for a product like insulated siding to come from standardized laboratory testing.
That is a modest R-value, but it sits outside the studs, where it covers framing that cavity insulation cannot. CertainTeed also credits the rigid foam backing with adding strength to the panel. Under the Federal Trade Commission’s R-value Rule, which was extended to non-insulation products in 2019, sellers who advertise an R-value must have test results behind it. Ask for the tested R-value of the exact product, not a range from a brochure.
Insulated siding is not a substitute for attic insulation and air sealing, so make sure those are in good shape too. If you are already replacing siding on a house with empty or thin wall cavities, it is worth pricing. Our insulated siding page covers the CedarBoards product line.
08
Why Does Installation Matter as Much as the Material?
Because both manufacturers exclude damage from improper installation. James Hardie’s warranty does not cover boards installed outside its published instructions and local building codes, and CertainTeed requires strict adherence to its written instructions. A premium product installed badly can fail sooner than a basic one installed correctly.
The two materials fail in different ways when the details are skipped:
- Fiber cement needs clearance and flashing. James Hardie’s HardiePlank HZ5 instructions specify 6 inches of clearance above finished grade, 2 inches where siding meets a roof, kickout flashing at roof-to-wall intersections, a water-resistive barrier behind the siding, and sealed cut edges. Miss them and water gets behind a product that cannot protect the wall by itself.
- Vinyl needs room to move. CertainTeed’s 2025 installation guide says never to nail vinyl tight, leaving about 1/16 inch between the nail head and the panel, and to leave a gap of 1/4 inch at trim channels, or 3/8 inch below 40 degrees. Panels nailed tight buckle as they expand in summer heat.
The Vinyl Siding Institute, now the Polymeric Exterior Products Association, certifies individual installers who complete a class, pass an exam on industry installation standards, and have at least a year of experience. Certification lasts five years. For fiber cement, ask how the crew handles clearances, flashing, and cut edges, and ask for the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the specific product.
09
Which Siding Is Right for Your Home?
Choose vinyl when the budget is the deciding factor, the house suits a lap or shake profile, and you want the least upkeep. Choose James Hardie when fire or impact resistance matters, when you want a painted-wood look, or when neighboring homes set a higher bar for curb appeal. Either performs well when installed correctly.
- Vinyl makes more sense when the choice is between well-installed vinyl and fiber cement with corners cut on trim, flashing, or crew experience. Spend the money on the installation, not the label.
- Vinyl makes more sense when you want to keep cash for other projects. On the 2025 Middle Atlantic averages, vinyl leaves about $4,500 in your pocket and still recoups 96 percent of its cost.
- James Hardie makes more sense when the house sits close to its neighbors, near woods, or anywhere fire or wind-driven debris is a concern.
- James Hardie makes more sense when the home has trim detail and proportions worth keeping, such as an older colonial or craftsman, where a deeper profile and paint finish read as wood from the street.
- James Hardie makes more sense when woodpeckers or impact damage have been a recurring problem.
If you are replacing stucco, start with what is behind it
When stucco shows cracks or staining, the condition of the sheathing and framing behind it can change the scope of the job more than the choice of new cladding. Emmons evaluates the wall first, then recommends a material. See our stucco remediation page.
How Emmons Approaches a Siding Project
Emmons Roofing & Siding is a family-owned company founded in 1988 by Keith Emmons and led since 2019 by owner Matt Kelly. It works from a main office in Williamstown and a remodeling office in Cherry Hill, and its siding crews install both James Hardie fiber cement and vinyl siding, so the recommendation is not tied to one product.
“Emmons came out and remodeled the exterior of my house. My house is 75 to 80 years old. The house was old looking and now it looks like a brand new house. They did a great job.”
Mike M., Vineland, NJ, Emmons exterior remodeling customer
Get a Straight Recommendation for Your House
Emmons will look at your existing siding, check for damage behind it where we can, and tell you which material makes sense for your home and budget, with a written, itemized estimate before any work begins. Prefer to talk first? Call 1-856-885-6677.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James Hardie siding worth the extra cost over vinyl?
Often, but not always. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report’s Middle Atlantic figures, fiber cement cost $4,491 more than vinyl and added about $5,084 more at resale, so the premium largely came back at sale. It also resists fire and impact better. Vinyl is the better value when cash is tight or when the alternative is a fiber cement job with corners cut on installation.
How much does James Hardie siding cost compared to vinyl in New Jersey?
The closest published benchmark is the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report’s Middle Atlantic region, built from cities in New York and Pennsylvania including Philadelphia. It puts an average fiber cement siding replacement at $25,666 and vinyl at $21,175. Your price depends on house size, stories, trim detail, and any sheathing repair, so a written, itemized estimate is the only reliable number.
Does James Hardie siding need to be painted?
Primed James Hardie boards must be painted after installation, and the paint will eventually need renewing on a schedule set by the paint, the color, and sun exposure. ColorPlus boards arrive factory finished and carry a separate 15-year warranty against peeling, cracking, and chipping. That warranty’s payment declines each year after the first, and it excludes normal fading and chalking.
Is the James Hardie siding warranty transferable?
Yes, once. James Hardie’s current HZ5 siding and trim warranty covers the first retail purchaser, the first owner of the house, and the first transferee, for 30 years from the date of purchase. It is not prorated, but it covers only the product, not labor. Keep the completed warranty card and your purchase records so a buyer can use the coverage.
Which siding is better for a home near the Jersey Shore?
Both can work near the ocean, and the fasteners matter as much as the siding. James Hardie recommends stainless steel fasteners near the ocean or large bodies of water. Fiber cement will not burn and resists impact from wind-driven debris, while vinyl costs less and never needs paint. Whichever you choose, confirm the product’s wind rating and the installer’s fastening plan for your exposure.
Is insulated vinyl siding worth it?
It is worth pricing on older homes with thin or empty wall cavities. CertainTeed rates its CedarBoards insulated vinyl at R-2.0 to R-2.7 depending on profile, and the foam backing also stiffens the panels. Federal rules require advertised R-values to come from standardized testing. It does not replace attic insulation and air sealing, so check those as part of the same plan.
Can James Hardie siding be installed over existing siding?
James Hardie’s HardiePlank HZ5 instructions call for installation over studs or wood structural sheathing, with a water-resistive barrier behind the siding. For that reason, Emmons’ practice is to remove the old siding, which also exposes the sheathing so any rot or water damage can be documented, shown to you, and repaired before the new siding goes on. Skipping that step hides problems inside the wall.
Sources and notes
- Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, National Averages, published September 2025. Siding replacement, fiber cement: job cost $21,485, resale value $24,420, 113.7 percent recouped. Siding replacement, vinyl: $17,950, $17,313, 96.5 percent.
- Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Middle Atlantic Region, 2025. Fiber cement: job cost $25,666, resale value $25,475, 99.3 percent recouped. Vinyl: $21,175, $20,391, 96.3 percent.
- Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Methodology, 2025. Costs from Verisk XactRemodel estimates; resale values from a survey of more than 6,000 real estate agents.
- Zonda, 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, National Averages, 2024. Fiber cement siding replacement recouped 88 percent; vinyl recouped 80 percent.
- James Hardie Building Products, Hardie Siding and Trim Products Express Limited Product Warranty (HZ5), effective February 2024. 30 years from purchase; up to twice original retail cost through year 30; no labor; first transferee covered; improper installation excluded.
- James Hardie Building Products, ColorPlus Technology 15-Year Express Limited Finish Warranty, effective February 2024. Up to $2.15 per square foot in year one, reduced 6.67 percent a year in years 2 through 15; normal fading excluded.
- James Hardie Building Products, 30-Year HZ10 Limited Siding Warranty, effective February 2024. Lists the states where HZ10 products are warranted; New Jersey and Pennsylvania are not among them.
- James Hardie Building Products, HardiePlank Lap Siding HZ5 Installation Instructions, effective September 2019. Clearances, blind nailing, water-resistive barrier, cut edge treatment, stainless fasteners near the ocean.
- James Hardie Building Products, The Hardie Zone System, accessed October 2026. HZ5 engineered for freezing climates; 30-year transferable warranty with non-prorated product coverage.
- James Hardie Building Products, Hardie Fire Resistance, accessed October 2026. Noncombustible per ASTM E136; Class A under ASTM E84.
- CertainTeed, CedarBoards Lifetime Limited Warranty, for products installed on or after March 1, 2023. Lifetime non-prorated for the original owner; 50-year prorated for later owners; original labor included in the remedy.
- CertainTeed, CedarBoards Insulated Siding Specification Sheet, January 2026. R-2.0 to R-2.7 by profile under ASTM C1363; fire safety warning for vinyl.
- CertainTeed, Vinyl and Polymer Siding Installation Guide, 2025 edition. Do not nail tight; 1/16 inch at the nail head; 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch at receiving channels.
- Vinyl Siding Institute, The Effect of Concentrated Sunlight on Vinyl Siding. Most distortion cases trace to concave double-pane glass; low-E glass reflects more infrared.
- Polymeric Exterior Products Association (formerly the Vinyl Siding Institute), Become a Certified Installer, accessed October 2026. Class, exam, one year of experience; certification valid five years.
- National Association of Home Builders and Bank of America Home Equity, Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components, February 2007. Vinyl and fiber cement siding both listed as lifetime.
- Federal Trade Commission, R-value Rule, 16 CFR Part 460, sections 460.5 and 460.22 as amended in 2019. R-value claims for non-insulation products must be based on the rule’s test methods.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction, 29 CFR 1926.1153, Table 1. Handheld saws cutting fiber cement board: outdoors only, with a dust collection system.
Cost and resale figures are regional and national averages for defined projects and will differ from any estimate for a specific home. Warranty terms summarized here are current as of October 2026; the manufacturer’s written warranty for the product you buy governs. This article is general homeowner guidance and does not replace an on-site evaluation.
