Does James Hardie Siding Expand and Contract with Ohio's Weather?

There's nothing more unsightly than cracked, warped, or buckled siding—but unfortunately, homeowners who live in continental climates, like Dayton, may suffer from this problem more frequently than homeowners who live in warm, dry climates.

Discover why all siding (even James Hardie!) expands and contracts in cold, wet climates and how you can keep your siding in great shape despite the weather with professional installation.

What Causes Siding to Expand and Contract?

Siding expands and contracts during rapidly fluctuating temperatures. When the weather is warm, your siding expands, and when temperatures drop, your siding contracts.

In continental climates where temperatures change rapidly, like Dayton, Ohio, your siding may crack, warp, or buckle if the weather changes quickly. This damage is more likely to occur if boards don't have enough space to move without restriction. Once your siding has cracked, your home is prone to moisture penetration, pest intrusion, a lack of curb appeal, and other troublesome problems.

Does James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding Expand and Contract?

James Hardie® is the most popular siding brand in North America and is praised by homeowners for its durable, beautiful, low-maintenance products. Fiber cement is made from a durable blend of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers that is waterproof and, therefore, more resistant to expanding and contracting than vinyl or traditional wood siding. However, it still requires precise installation to avoid issues from expansion and contraction, like cracking.

Tips to Prevent Hardie Board Siding from Warping, Bucking, and Cracking in Fluctuating Temperatures

When installing your James Hardie siding, it’s important to follow the tips listed below to ensure your siding will not crack, warp, or buckle when it expands or contracts.

Hire a James Hardie Preferred Contractor

First and foremost, it's crucial to hire a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor to install your fiber cement siding. These contractors are a part of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance Program—a collection of trained, certified, and licensed professionals vetted by James Hardie.

Installation errors are one of the most common reasons James Hardie siding cracks, warps, or buckles in fluctuating temperatures. However, you can easily avoid this problem by hiring a company with the knowledge and training to install fiber cement siding correctly.

Your HardieZone

James Hardie knows you need your siding to be as tough as the weather, which is why the company’s products are Engineered for Climate^®. Your fiber cement siding will be able to stand up to powerful weather events, like snowstorms and hurricanes, and incremental temperature changes that cause cracking, swelling, and buckling.

James Hardie has even designed their products with different climates in mind. The HardieZone^® System offers two types of products— HZ5 products resist wet, freezing conditions, and HZ10 products protect homes from heat, humidity, and more. Your contractor will know exactly the right HardieZone siding to install on your home.

Discover the Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding from Dayton’s Top James Hardie Contractor

It’s easy to see how James Hardie fiber cement siding installation by a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor is the most effective way to protect your siding from warping, cracking, or buckling during fluctuating temperatures.

American Way Exteriors is trained to follow the stringent guidelines set by James Hardie, so you can be confident we’ll install your siding the right way to protect your warranties and give your siding plenty of space to expand and contract—without damaging your exterior.

Learn more about the valuable benefits and versatile styles available to you when installing Hardie siding with American Way Exteriors.