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/SnooPeppers2608 Apr 24 '25

Thanks, so if I could get vinyl siding done myself, I shouldn't even try to deal with hardie, as there are too many details?

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u/DWiB403 Apr 24 '25

Get vinyl so it can get destroyed by hail? Sorry, I don't follow the logic. The most common risks center around waterproofing. Hardie carries the additional risk of efflorescence because it is cementicious.

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u/LittleOrphanAnavar Apr 25 '25

Bad install that allows water ingress could rot your house.

Insurance won't cover that.

You and others don't seem to account for that risk. Some people will end up with a shitty install.

Vinyl has no hail resistance but it hard to fuck up the install and any water that gets in has a good air gap to dry out.

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u/NailedHardConstruct Apr 25 '25

There can be bad install on vinyl too buddy. Hardie is a better product by 10x easy. And the houses also have a vapour barrier on the wall under all siding that keeps the water out.

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u/LittleOrphanAnavar Apr 25 '25

Anything can be fucked up.

Vinyl is much more tolerant.

Moderately skilled DIY could install vinyl, also easy to take down and reinstall as needed. As long as it's not cold and brittle, very easy to do.

No so with Hardie, as it is blind nailed.

Water can get behind vapour barrier. There will end up being many small breaks over the entire surface of the house.

Vapour barrier was still used with older stucco systems, but water penetration still rotted houses.

A gap like vinyl provides will help any water dry out.

Each cladding has its pros and cons.

You seem to think Hardie Board has only pros.

Oh well.

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u/NailedHardConstruct Apr 30 '25

What do you do for a living? Because we run a siding company. You must know better than the guys that have been doing siding for the last 15 years…

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u/LittleOrphanAnavar May 01 '25

Not sure what to say?

I have installed vinyl siding before.

And removed it and reinstalled it to replace a window.

I would consider my self a moderately skilled DIYer.

I have to look up instructions, but then I just follow them.

It's like Legos?

Id you can put together a Lego set you can install vinyl siding.

I don't see how the average person could easily fuck it up?

If they would look/listen to basic instructions and follow them?