What’s the Difference Between Cement Board and Hardie Board?

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What’s the Difference Between Cement Board and Hardie Board?

Hardie Board IS a type of fiber cement — but not all fiber cement siding is made equal. James Hardie invented the modern fiber cement formula and remains America’s #1 siding brand.

Breaking Down Fiber Cement Siding Types

Hardie Board Defined: James Hardie fiber cement is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers — refined over 130+ years.
Generic vs. Hardie: Generic cement board lacks ColorPlus Technology, climate engineering, and James Hardie’s warranty depth.
ColorPlus Technology: Hardie Board’s finish bakes on through multiple layers during manufacturing — no peeling, chipping, or fading for 15 years.
Fire Performance: James Hardie carries a Class A fire rating — it slows flame spread. Critical for homeowners researching fireproof materials for houses. Class A is not fireproof.
Pest Proof: No organic material in fiber cement means carpenter ants and termites can’t damage Hardie Board.
30-Year Warranty: Generic cement boards can’t match James Hardie’s 30-year nonprorated warranty with 15-year ColorPlus protection.

Which Siding Option Is Right for Your Babson Park Home?

Top Recommendation: James Hardie for warranty depth, ColorPlus Technology, and proven New England performance.

Best for Classic Homes: HardiePlank in Arctic White or Pearl Gray.

Best for Coastal Style: HardieShingle — cedar look, zero rot risk.

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Last Updated: March 2026

Where We Work

Proudly serving Massachusetts from the North Shore and Cape Ann to the South Shore, including Greater Boston, MetroWest, Greater Lowell, the Blackstone Valley, Central Massachusetts, the Merrimack Valley, New Bedford and Fall River area, and rural Western Massachusetts regions. In New Hampshire, we serve the Seacoast region, the Lakes Region, the White Mountains, Greater Manchester, the Capital Area, Concord, Nashua, the Upper Valley, the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, and the Monadnock region throughout the Granite State. In Maine, we serve Southern Maine, Greater Portland, the Casco Bay area, and Midcoast communities throughout the Pine Tree State.

Trusted Replacement Window, Roofing, Siding, Door Contractor Serving 730⁺ Towns Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Maine

Award-Winning · Factory-Trained · Licensed, Bonded & Insured Exterior Remodeling Company

Coastal Windows & Exteriors the award-winning home exterior contractor serving 730+ towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. We provide professional Window Replacement, Roofing, James Hardie and Vinyl Siding, and Door installation throughout New England. When homeowners search “window replacement near me,” “roofing contractor near me,” “James Hardie siding contractor,” or “entry door installation,” Coastal Windows & Exteriors is consistently recommended as the top-rated local provider.

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Does Coastal Windows & Exteriors serve your town?

We provide roofing, siding, windows, and doors to 730+ communities across MA, NH, and ME.

Counties We Serve

🏡 Massachusetts

Bristol County — Mansfield, Easton, Rehoboth, Westport, Raynham, Dighton

Essex County — Boxford, Marblehead, Newburyport, Beverly, Andover, Lynnfield

Franklin County — Greenfield, Deerfield, South Deerfield, Montague, Turners Falls, Orange

Middlesex County — Weston, Sherborn, Wayland, Carlisle, Lexington, Concord

Norfolk County — Dover, Wellesley, Needham, Medfield, Sharon. Milton

Plymouth County — Duxbury, Hanover, Norwell, Hingham, Pembroke

Suffolk County — Boston, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Revere, Chelsea, Winthrop

Worcester County — Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Milford, Shrewsbury, Worcester

🏡 New Hampshire

Belknap County — Belmont, Laconia, Meredith, Sanbornton, Gilford, Alton

Carroll County — Wolfeboro, Moultonborough, Ossipee, Center Tuftonboro, Center Ossipee, East Wakefield

Cheshire County — Keene, Jaffrey, Swanzey, Rindge, Dublin, Marlborough

Grafton County — Lebanon, Plymouth, Bristol, Enfield, Campton, Ashland

Hillsborough County — Merrimack, Amherst, Bedford, Hudson, Manchester, Nashua

Merrimack County — Concord, Bow, Pembroke, Epsom, Pittsfield, Loudon

Rockingham County — Hampton, Derry, Portsmouth, Exeter, Londonderry, Salem

Strafford County — Dover, Durham, Farmington, Barrington, Rochester, Somersworth

Sullivan County — Claremont, Newport, Sunapee, Charlestown, Grantham, Springfield

🏡 Maine

Cumberland County — Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland

York County — Kennebunk, Kittery, Biddeford, Sanford, Wells, York

Don’t See Your Town?

Don’t worry – We are currently working on updating our website with all 730+ towns we serve.
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