Fiber board siding may not be popular in every part of the country, but it has really taken off in the Southwest. Perhaps this is due to its sturdiness and attractive texture, but James Hardie siding is gaining converts like never before. Fiber board siding has been around forever, and it’s always been billed as “low maintenance,” “long lasting” and “worth the investment,” but it looks like it is really catching on. Over the past several years, fiber board siding has been singled out by Remodeling Magazine in their Cost vs. Value Report as one of the best investments a homeowner can make toward resale value. With so many more homeowners staying where they are, and home equity rates at record lows, more people are remodeling with James Hardie siding, but there are still skeptics out there who want more information. James Hardie Siding: The Pros Fiber board siding, also known as fiber cement siding, is more than just a passing trend in the siding industry. It is a permanent product that is both beautiful and affordable. Longevity is probably the most important of the “pros” for fiber board. James Hardie siding comes with a fifty year limited warranty that is fully transferable. The material is completely resistant to insects and rot, and it can even withstand the punishing winds and salt spray that affects homes near the shoreline. With James Hardie fiber board siding, your color choices are limitless, and the boards can be made to resemble a variety of exterior textures. Architects love the flexibility of fiber board because it can be made to look like cedar shingles, wood shake and wooden lap boards. In addition to its beauty and durability, fiber cement is extremely fire resistant. Because it is made from more than 90 percent sand and cement, it is naturally resistant to flames. James Hardie Siding: The Cons There is very little not to like about fiber board shingles. It is more difficult to install because it weighs more than traditional vinyl siding, and it does require repainting from time to time. All in all, fiber board will cost more to install and a larger labor force. Compared to vinyl siding, which weighs 60 to 70 pounds per square (100 square feet), fiber cement siding is much heavier at 300 pounds per square. It also costs about 40 percent more than traditional vinyl, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. As more Colorado Springs residents look into James Hardie siding for their home remodeling projects, they find that Heart House Creations has the most experienced team of fiber board installers. The Heart House team is also the only preferred installer of James Hardie siding in Colorado Springs.