HardiePlank vs. Vinyl Siding:
Which One Should You Choose?

If you're planning new siding, you'll probably end up choosing between two materials: HardiePlank fiber cement and vinyl. They're the two siding materials we install, and both can look great and protect your home for decades. But they're built very differently, they cost different amounts, and they suit different homes and priorities.

There's no single right answer. A homeowner planning to stay for 30 years in a home that takes a beating from hail and wind might make a very different choice than someone who wants a fresh, low-maintenance look on a tighter budget. This guide compares the two side by side so you can decide what makes the most sense for your home.

The Short Answer

• Choose HardiePlank if you want maximum durability, the most realistic wood look, strong resistance to hail, fire, rot, and pests, and you're comfortable paying more upfront.
• Choose vinyl if you want a lower upfront cost, a faster install, very little maintenance, and a wide range of colors and wood-look textures.

Now let's look at why.

What Is HardiePlank Siding?

HardiePlank is fiber cement siding, made from a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It comes as lap siding, and the same material also comes in shingle-style and panel products, so you can mix textures while keeping one durable material. The line we install is engineered for climates like ours.

Learn more about our HardiePlank siding installations.

What Is Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding is made from PVC and is the most popular siding choice in our area. It's affordable, versatile, and resists moisture, fading, and everyday wear. It comes in a wide selection of colors and realistic textures that replicate the look of wood, and because the color runs all the way through, it never needs painting.

Learn more about our vinyl siding installations.

HardiePlank vs. Vinyl: Side-by-Side Comparison

Durability and Impact Resistance

This is where fiber cement pulls ahead. HardiePlank is roughly five times thicker than standard vinyl, so it can take a hailstone or a stray ball without denting or cracking. Vinyl is more flexible, but it can become stiffer in very cold weather and is more likely to crack on impact. Thin, low-grade vinyl is especially vulnerable, which is why panel quality matters so much if you choose vinyl. Our post on why you don't want cheap vinyl siding explains what to look for.

Weather and Moisture

Both materials handle Pennsylvania weather well when installed correctly. Fiber cement doesn't rot, and freeze-thaw cycles have almost nothing to work on. Quality vinyl is engineered to resist moisture and rot as well. With either material, what's behind the siding matters most: sound sheathing, a quality weather barrier, and properly flashed windows and doors.

Fire Resistance

Fiber cement is non-combustible and won't contribute fuel to a fire. Vinyl can melt and warp when exposed to high heat. If fire resistance is a priority, HardiePlank is the clear winner.

Pests

Woodpeckers, carpenter bees, and termites have no interest in fiber cement. Vinyl isn't a food source for pests either, so both materials are a big step up from wood siding here.

Appearance

Both offer realistic wood-look textures, but fiber cement has a deeper, crisper look that's very close to painted wood. It's often the choice for historic homes and higher-end projects where authenticity matters. Matching trim boards at corners, columns, and openings give fiber cement homes a sharp, finished look.

Vinyl offers a wide range of colors and textures, and quality vinyl looks far better than the shiny, thin panels many people picture. For most homes, it delivers a clean, attractive result at a lower price.

Color and Finish

HardiePlank comes in factory-finished ColorPlus colors, a multi-coat finish baked on at the factory that's highly resistant to fading and peeling and typically lasts 15 years or more before it needs a refresh. Primed boards can also be painted on site if you want a custom color. Vinyl's color runs through the material, so it never needs painting, though lower-quality vinyl can fade over time on sunny walls.

Maintenance

• Vinyl: Usually just an occasional rinse with a garden hose.
• HardiePlank with ColorPlus: An occasional wash, and a repaint somewhere past the 15-year mark.
• Primed and painted HardiePlank: Needs repainting sooner than ColorPlus.

Both are dramatically easier to maintain than wood siding, which typically needs repainting every five to seven years.

Lifespan and Warranty

Fiber cement is designed to last 30 to 50 years or more with proper installation and minimal maintenance, and it carries a 30-year non-prorated limited substrate warranty from the manufacturer. We register manufacturer warranty documentation on your behalf and hand it to you at completion. Quality vinyl, installed correctly, also protects a home for decades.

Cost

Fiber cement costs more than vinyl in both materials and labor. The boards are heavier, they have to be cut with a fiber cement blade and dust collection, and installation takes more time and care. There's no honest flat rate for either material. Your price depends on your home's square footage, number of stories, the finish you choose, trim details, and whether any sheathing needs repair once the old siding comes off. We provide free, written, line-itemed estimates so you can compare both options side by side.

Installation Time

• Vinyl: Most installations are finished within a few days.
• HardiePlank: Most residential fiber cement projects run five to ten working days, depending on the size of the home, the number of elevations, and the trim package.

One more difference: fiber cement is never installed over failing siding, so a full tear-off is part of every HardiePlank project.

Which One Is Right for Your Home?

HardiePlank Is Usually the Better Fit If:

• You plan to stay in your home for a long time
• Your home takes a lot of hail, wind, or impact
• You want the most authentic wood look, especially on an older or historic home
• Fire resistance is important to you
• You're comfortable with a higher upfront investment for maximum durability

Vinyl Is Usually the Better Fit If:

• You want the best value for your budget
• You want the lowest-maintenance option possible
• You want your project finished quickly
• You'd like a wide range of colors and textures to choose from
• You may sell in the next several years and want a fresh, clean look

Can You Use Both?

Yes. Some homeowners use fiber cement on the most visible parts of the house and quality vinyl elsewhere, or combine lap siding with shingle-style accents in the gables. We'll help you think through whether a mixed approach makes sense for your home and budget.

Installation Quality Matters More Than the Material

Even the best siding fails early if it's installed wrong. Here's what a quality siding installation from RAM Roofing & Exteriors includes, whichever material you choose:

• An inspection of the sheathing for rot or structural problems before anything new goes on
• Replacement of damaged sheathing so new siding isn't covering old damage
• A high-quality weather barrier to keep water out of the walls
• Flashing at windows, doors, and other openings
• Correct fastening for the material. Vinyl has to be fastened so it can expand and contract with the seasons. Fiber cement is blind-nailed in the specified fastening zone at the correct depth, with cut ends sealed.

What About Storm Damage?

Hail and wind can crack, dent, and loosen siding, and vinyl is more vulnerable to impact than fiber cement. If a storm damaged your siding, our insurance restoration team documents the damage with photos and works with your adjuster. For more detail, see our post on how much hail damage equates to siding replacement.

Plan Your Siding With the Rest of Your Exterior

New siding is the perfect time to look at what's around it. Replacing windows at the same time lets us flash every opening properly while the walls are open. It's also smart to check on your roof before investing in new siding. A complimentary roof inspection tells you how much life your roof has left, so you can plan both projects in the right order and coordinate colors. Our post on new siding ideas has more design inspiration.

Can Siding Be Installed in Winter?

Yes. Siding can be installed year-round when the weather is dry. Spring and fall are popular, and winter projects can often be scheduled faster since it's the off-peak season. If you want your home looking its best by spring, now is a great time to start planning. If you'd like to spread out the cost, ask about our financing options.

Why Homeowners Trust RAM Roofing & Exteriors

Our roots go back to the early 1990s, when our founder started out as a carpenter. Today, our crews focus on the outside of your home: roofing, siding, windows, doors, and gutters. Read more about our story on our About Us page.

• Honest, repair-focused recommendations, with no unnecessary replacements
• Free, written, line-itemed estimates
• Fully licensed and insured in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (PA072883 and NJ 13VH11020800)
• A 4.9-star Google rating from 200+ reviews. See what homeowners say on our testimonials page.
• Certified Owens Corning Preferred Contractor for roofing, backed by manufacturer standards
• Around-the-clock emergency storm damage response

Siding Installation Across Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester County

From our office at 52 E Oakland Ave Ste 3A, in Doylestown, we install HardiePlank and vinyl siding throughout the region. That includes homeowners in Elkins Park, Hatfield, and Phoenixville, where we work on everything from historic homes that call for fiber cement to newer homes where quality vinyl is the perfect fit.

Still Deciding? Let's Compare Both for Your Home

The best way to choose is to see real pricing for your home side by side. Schedule a free on-site assessment with RAM Roofing & Exteriors, and we'll walk you through HardiePlank and vinyl options, colors, and trim, and give you a clear written estimate. Have questions first? Visit our FAQ.

Call (215) 315-7700 or stop by our Doylestown office.