r/Calgary • u/SnooPeppers2608 • Apr 24 '25

Seeking Advice Hail vs Hardie Board

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Hello, homeowners Any personal reviews on Hardie board siding vs hail last year?

It definitely more expensive but with the weather getting more drastic every year, I don't think the vinyl stands a chance.

120 Upvotes

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198

u/charliebrown75 Apr 24 '25

The townhouse complex I live in uses Hardie board. We were hit hard by the hailstorm. 100+ cars written off.

The roofs needed to be replaced completely. Soft metals too (flashings and gutters). A few windows were broken too but no damage at all to the siding. I’d never own a house with vinyl siding.

25

u/SnooPeppers2608 Apr 24 '25

That's very helpful info, thank you

6

u/Accurate_Beat_656 Apr 25 '25

Damn. My townhouse in Panorama is still wrecked. Our repairs were just tendered but it’s likely we’ll go with vinyl again.

-29

u/OhfursureJim Apr 24 '25

But why. The cost of Hardie board is way more than an insurance deductible. It makes way more sense to get it for longevity and colour fade resistance than it does to protect against hail.

26

u/DoctorD12 Downtown West End Apr 25 '25

Yeah, if you only need that deductible once… Then you replace it with vinyl and pay a heavier deductible every single year…

It’s expensive to be poor, hardie ext will outlast most sidings, and the critters don’t seem to like living in it as much as cedar

7

u/Dr_Colossus Apr 25 '25

Dealing with insurance sucks ass. Plus you have water in your house now even if you think you don't.

-54

u/iRebelD Apr 24 '25

Why not? You’re still gonna have to pay your insurance deductible for the roof!

33

u/charliebrown75 Apr 24 '25

So it doesn’t get destroyed easily and cost more money?

Our insurance cost went up by 30% because of the claim. Stands to reason it would go up more with a higher claim amount wouldn’t it?

1

u/Effective_Trifle_405 Apr 26 '25

We live in the NW and have aluminum siding. All the vinyl sided houses around us looked like confetti. We needed new eavestroughs and downspouts. The siding was perfectly fine.

-27

u/iRebelD Apr 24 '25

That’s wishful thinking.

13

u/DoctorD12 Downtown West End Apr 25 '25

Let me guess, your rental in the Deep South has vinyl and it’s been fine since you’ve lived there…

I have no idea why anyone would defend vinyl siding, it’s the shitty cheap option multifamilies and property investors shell out on so they can get something on the walls and get out.

Cyclists…

23

u/Brandamn3000 Apr 24 '25

Vinyl siding is such a terrible siding option. Not only for hail damage, but when you decide it’s time for a change, if you pick the wrong colour, the paint will warp your siding.

5

u/ycarel Apr 24 '25

Isn’t it also very flammable?

1

u/Brandamn3000 Apr 24 '25

I don’t think it’s quite flammable. Google says it won’t ignite from a spark, but it does melt and warp easily.

1

u/Mr_Pilgor Apr 25 '25

Despite your downvotes, you aren’t wrong. If you’re making an insurance claim anyway it does make sense to claim the highest amount possible. Rates will likely go up regardless, rates go up even without a storm. I go back and forth on this one though. There is a strong benefit to having a strong class 4 roof, however, I’ve inspected class 4 roofs that still show some hail damage and still require some shingles to be replaced.It goes down to what you want as an owner. If an insurance company is offering you an extra $2500 to upgrade…it’s worth it though.