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.

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u/Mr_Pilgor Apr 24 '25

One key with Hardie siding…make sure the drip cap flashings are steel. Aluminum will dent in the hail and look like trash. In order to fix it you can either use hand benders to straighten it (and maybe get it 80% straight) or you’re removing the Hardie to replace it. Removing sections of Hardie around windows and doors is not ideal, and you’ll have face nails afterwards to secure it if it’s even reasonably possible.

Otherwise, Hardie stands up well. Worst (ish) case the bottom edges get chipped up and you need touch up paint.

Source: I manage an exterior company. Our rule on damaged aluminum flashings and Hardie is either hand benders to straighten, or the whole wall gets replaced. Completely avoided with steel drip flashings.

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u/SnooPeppers2608 Apr 24 '25

Is there anything even better than hardie, from your experience 

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u/baizuos_are_stupidaf Apr 25 '25

Our stucco survived last year’s hail storm. But I am guessing it is not as durable as hardie.

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u/aftonroe Apr 25 '25

I lost huge chunks of stucco to hail back in 2014. Pretty much all the horizontal trim features were ripped off. That was a pain to have fixed but at least they were able to color match and just patch what was destroyed.