When we meet with folks at their home to discuss siding projects, especially Hardiplank installation, one of the main questions we receive is this: " How often will we need to paint our HardiePlank® siding?" Here is some insight into factors that can affect the quality of paint on this type of siding as well as what Southwest Exteriors does to ensure the quality of your Hardiplank installation.
Fiber Cement Composite Material
HardiePlank® siding is a composite material made of fiber cement, which means it doesn't fall victim to the climate the same way that wood does. Whether it’s hot or cold or wet or dry, James Hardie® siding products stay in a constant state, as opposed to wood or Masonite siding that is going to expand, contract, shrink, and swell in response to these different climate conditions. Paint will naturally last longer on the HardiePlank® siding in comparison to other materials.Painting Materials and Application
Another factor to consider is the paint application and type of materials used for the paint job. We have seen time and time again contractors using the HardiePlank® siding shipping primer, which is the yellow tinted material, as a painting primer. However, this type of primer is actually only intended to provide protection against the normal wear and tear of shipping. It is only about 1 1/2 millimeters thick and is not recommended as a painting primer.Environmental Conditions
Other variables that can affect the durability of the paint include how light or dark paint color is, the amount of exposure or protection from the sun, and the environmental conditions when the paint was applied. A darker paint color will tend to fade more, especially in direct sunlight, than a lighter color will. Applying paint when it’s raining or when the temperature is too cold, can prevent the coating from getting the best possible seal on the siding. Fortunately, the weather in San Antonio tends to be warm and dry enough for the majority of the year for successful hardiplank installation.
What type of paint can be used on James Hardie fiber cement siding?
James Hardie recommends using 100% acrylic exterior paint for their fiber cement siding. It is important to choose a paint that is specifically formulated for use on cementitious materials and that is compatible with fiber cement. The paint should also have good adhesion and be able to resist fading, peeling, and cracking. It is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparation and application of the paint to ensure a successful and long-lasting finish.
Other Factors to Consider
As with most paint jobs, the integrity of the paint and how long it will last on your home depends on the type of primer and the application method used to put the primer on the wall. At Southwest Exteriors, we like to start with applying a high-grade multi-surface primer and then following that with a topcoat, as opposed to using a paint-and-primer-in-one product. This ensures the best hardiplank installation and increases the longevity of the paint used. By following this method and maintaining strict standards of application using only professional and highly skilled painters, we give our clients a 25 year adhesion warranty on all of our painted HardiePlank® siding surfaces.
We have had the pleasure of going back and visiting with some of our clients that we completed hardiplank installation for in the 1990s, and their siding work looks as if it were just done yesterday. This type of longevity is the type of result you can expect with a paint application on your new James Hardie® siding.
If you have vinyl siding on your home that you're considering re-painting, click here to read this previous blog post. If you'd like more information about our products and services, feel free to post a comment below or contact us directly.
