Is Hardie Board a Type of Vinyl?

REFRESH YOUR HOME THIS SPRING

50% OFF INSTALLATION
James Hardie Siding · Vinyl Siding · Roof Replacement · Window Replacement · Entry Doors

+FINANCING UP TO 20 YEARS*
Stop Drafts. Cut Energy Bills. Boost Curb Appeal. Increase home value.

Fill Out the Form to Schedule Your Free Estimate

"*" indicates required fields

Instagram

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Zipcode*

Product Interest*

Windows

Roofing

Siding

Doors

Message*

Agree*

* By checking the button, you authorize Coastal Windows & Exteriors to call/text you at the phone number you provided using automated telephone technology about its products and services. Consent is not required to purchase. Message and data rates may apply. ***

Verification

***Dispute Resolution Policy | ESIGN Act Consumer Disclosures | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

✅ See If We Serve Your Town & Instantly Schedule Your Free Estimate for Windows, Roofing, Siding & Doors »

Is Hardie Board a Type of Vinyl?

Hardie board is not vinyl — it is fiber cement, a completely different and more durable material.

Knowing the types of Hardie board helps Franklin County homeowners make confident, informed siding decisions. Fiber cement and vinyl are both excellent options, but they perform differently across Western Massachusetts’s demanding four-season environment.

What Massachusetts Homeowners Need to Know:

Material Difference: Hardie board is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers compressed into an extremely durable panel. Vinyl siding is made from PVC plastic, which performs well but serves a different homeowner need.
Fire Performance: Hardie board fire rating reflects fiber cement’s natural resistance to ignition and flame spread. Fewer than 2% of all home fires originate from exterior wall surfaces, and fiber cement adds meaningful extra protection.
Types Available: The types of Hardie board include HardiePlank lap siding, HardieShingle, HardiePanel vertical siding, and HardieTrim. Pioneer Valley homeowners can choose the profile that best matches their home’s architectural style.
Durability Advantage: Fiber cement resists rot, warping, and pest damage that wood and some vinyl products cannot withstand. Homes near the Vermont/New Hampshire border benefit from fiber cement’s strength through harsh freeze-thaw cycles.
ROI Comparison: Fiber cement siding delivers an estimated 121% return on investment nationally versus 118% for vinyl. Both are strong performers, but Hardie board edges ahead for Franklin County homeowners prioritizing maximum long-term value.
Warranty Protection: James Hardie backs its products with a 30-year non-prorated warranty when professionally installed. This warranty only applies to fiber cement products installed by certified contractors, not vinyl alternatives.

Choosing the Right Siding Material

Best Overall: James Hardie fiber cement siding for maximum durability, 121% ROI, and superior fire resistance across New England conditions.

For Low Maintenance: Premium vinyl siding for homeowners wanting 30+ year performance with virtually no upkeep requirements or repainting needs.

Smartest Long-Term Investment: Hardie board with ColorPlus Technology for Western Massachusetts homes needing decades of fade-resistant, low-maintenance curb appeal.

Request a free estimate by clicking here.

Learn more about James Hardie and vinyl siding by clicking here.

For more questions about siding FAQs click here.

Last Updated: April 2026

Sources:

James Hardie HardieWrap Weather Barrier Summary
Polymeric Exteriors Insulated Siding Guide
Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report, 2024

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.

Search Our Service Area

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.
Call 978-344-1853 to schedule your free consultation.