James Hardie product warranties explained: length, inclusions, exclusions (Article)
August 5th, 2021 | 7 min. read
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SubscribeAfter noticing some wear and tear on your home exterior, you decide it’s time for a siding replacement. Now, tearing off your entire home’s exterior can be a little daunting.
A siding replacement is no DIY project and is a serious investment in your home. You want to make sure you choose a high-quality siding type that will last.
James Hardie is the leading manufacturer of fiber cement products, including siding. They are named the best because of the material it is made of, easy maintenance, and high-quality installation.
Whether you’re looking to get Hardie siding or already have it, you want to be familiar with what is covered under the warranty if something goes wrong.
Southwest Exteriors has been an exterior remodeling contractor for over 30 years. We are experts in James Hardie siding solutions, and your Hardie siding is backed by our lifetime warranty.
This means if anything goes wrong with your siding, we will repair or replace it for as long as you live in your home.
Warranty paperwork isn’t the most exciting thing to review. Sometimes they are often filled with confusing language, extremely long lists, and undefined terms.
This article will detail the warranties for James Hardie siding products. We will cover the warranty lengths, inclusions, and exclusions for Hardie siding, trim, soffit, and weather barriers.
You will have a clear understanding of Hardie warranties after reading. If you’re considering Hardie siding, this will help you decide whether the warranty is what you’re looking for or not.
If you already have Hardie siding and are experiencing an issue, you will know if it is covered under the warranty and what steps to take next.
What is the length of Hardie product warranties? What is included?
Knowing the longevity of your Hardie warranty and what is included is the first key element to understand. This way, you know exactly what is covered, and for how long in case your siding fails you before its lifetime is up.
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All HardiePlankⓇ lap, HardiePanel verticalⓇ, HardieShingleⓇ siding, and HardieSoffitⓇ have a 30-year limited product warranty.
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HardieTrimⓇ boards have a 15-year limited product warranty.
The lifetime of each of these warranties begins on the date of purchase of the products.
HardieWrapⓇ weather barrier, flashing, flex flashing, and seam tape all have a 10-year limited product warranty. The lifetime of these warranties begins on the date of installation of the products.
These warranties ensure the products will be free from manufacturing defects and resist damage from hail or termite attacks for the lifetime of the warranty.
The warranty is only transferable once from the original purchaser.
If the product is found defective in the material or manufacturing, Hardie will either repair or replace only the defective portion of the product or reimburse the covered person for up to twice the product's original retail price. The cost for reimbursement is determined solely by Hardie.
You are not allowed to substitute the damaged product for any other Hardie product.
Different Hardie products are labeled and distributed only in certain areas of North America. HZ10Ⓡ products are distributed along the West Coast from Washington, Oregon, and parts of California, to the lower belt of the U.S. up to Virginia.
HZ5Ⓡ products are distributed in the midwest and northern states as well as Canada. HZⓇ trim boards are only distributed in the western third of the U.S. and British Columbia in Canada.
This is important to note because the different types of boards are only covered in the outlined areas in the warranty.
For example, if an HZ5Ⓡ trim board were installed in San Antonio and had a product defect, it would not be covered.
To sum all that up, your Hardie products are covered under warranty for any manufacturing defects, hail damage, or termite damage. Boards and soffit are covered for 30 years, trim for 15 years, and weather barrier elements for 10 years.
Now that you know what is included in the warranty coverage, it’s important to learn what is excluded.
What is not included in Hardie products’ warranties?
Exclusions in product warranties are just as important as inclusions. If you are unaware of the exclusions of the warranties, you may file a false claim, wasting time and energy.
Exclusions in Hardie warranties include improper installation, natural damages, neglect and misuse, and more.
Improper installation or alteration of Hardie products
Hardie offers multiple best practices guides for all products they offer. These guides outline the exact steps to installing the products properly as well as how products must be stored, shipped, and handled.
If Hardie products are not installed correctly, the warranty is void. There are siding contractors out there that offer James Hardie products but do not install them under their best practices. This will not ensure your Hardie products are under warranty.
This also includes improper installation of studs or other accessories, like nails.
If Hardie products are altered in any way not listed under the best practices, the warranty will be void. This does not include trimming or cutting of boards.
Natural weather damages and occurrences
The second-largest factor that is not covered under Hardie warranties is weather damages.
This includes damage from water infiltration, exceeding wind, tornados, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and severe weather or other Acts of God.
Other natural elements that void the warranty include the growth of mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, or any other organism that forms on the product’s surface.
Foundational movement and design structure
Damages to products that occur from the foundational movement are not covered under warranty.
The foundation of your home continuously shifts over time with the natural movement of the earth. This means that any damage caused by foundation shifts is not covered.
Under this similar category, any damage that occurs to products because of incorrect structural design is not covered under warranty.
Neglect or abuse
The final category of exclusions is neglect or abuse of products. This also includes misuse of the product, alterations, or repairs made on your own.
Now that you know the inclusions and exclusions of Hardie product warranties, you know when to file a claim by identifying the different causes of damage.
How do you file a claim on your Hardie products?
If you notice any damage due to termites or hail, or any product defects, you can file a claim to have your Hardie products replaced, repaired, or refunded within the lifetime of the warranty.
To file a claim, you must provide a written notice to Hardie within 30 days of discovering the damage. The notice must describe the location and details of the damage or defect and any additional information Hardie may need to know to inspect the claim. It must also include photos of the product in question.
You must also provide proof of purchase or that you are a qualified covered person (i.e., if you are the first transferee). This proof may come as a receipt of purchase or Hardie installation certification if you are the first transferee.
Does James Hardie have a better warranty than vinyl siding?
James Hardie fiber cement siding generally has a better warranty than vinyl siding. While warranties can vary by manufacturer and product, here are some general differences between the warranties of James Hardie fiber cement siding and vinyl siding:
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Length of warranty: James Hardie fiber cement siding typically comes with a longer warranty than vinyl siding. James Hardie's products come with a 30-year limited warranty, while most vinyl siding warranties are for 25 years or less.
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Transferability: James Hardie's warranty is transferable, meaning that it can be passed on to the next homeowner if you sell your home. This can be a selling point for potential buyers and may increase the value of your home. Vinyl siding warranties are often not transferable.
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Coverage: James Hardie's warranty covers defects in the product and installation, as well as damage from hail and woodpeckers. Vinyl siding warranties may not cover these types of damage or may have limited coverage.
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Exclusions: James Hardie's warranty has fewer exclusions than many vinyl siding warranties. For example, James Hardie's warranty covers fading, while many vinyl siding warranties do not.
It's important to note that individual manufacturers may offer different warranties, so it's always a good idea to read the warranty carefully and compare it to other options before making a decision. Additionally, the warranty is just one factor to consider when selecting siding. You may also want to consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal when making your decision.
Ensuring your warranty is backed by a quality contractor
At Southwest Exteriors, we handle all warranty claims for you. If you notice any damage to your Hardie products we installed, contact us immediately, and we will handle the claim for you.
We offer a lifetime warranty for the installation of all products and services. If anything goes wrong with your Hardie siding project, we will do everything we can to make it right.
Are you looking for the right siding contractor for your project? Check out this article that outlines 10 questions you need to ask a siding contractor before committing to working with them.