When it comes to architecture, a Cape Cod home’s refreshing simplicity includes its classic steep roof, shingled exterior, symmetrical facade, and a large chimney in the middle. Its centered front entry, gabled dormers, and double-hung windows with shutters emit a comfy charm that homeowners have loved for decades. But its classic shingle siding can become problematic when made of wood. Here’s why:
When cedar shingle or cedar shake siding covers your Cape Cod home, it looks gorgeous but can become troublesome over time due to moisture intrusion. As wood siding ages, it becomes vulnerable to water intrusion, creating wood rot, mold and mildew problems. If left unaddressed, water intrusion can eventually impact your home’s structure, leaving you with an even more sizable investment to solve the original issue.
Cedar Shake Siding vs. HardieShingle
Looking for long-term solutions to common problems with wood siding? Consider the facts about replacing it with James Hardie fiber cement (a cedar shake look-alike without costly vulnerabilities).
Here are some common problems homeowners run into with cedar shake or cedar shingle siding, and what to do about them if you’d like a long-term solution.
Siding Makeup
Cedar Shakes
Organic cedar shake comes from red or white cedar trees. While it’s beautiful to behold and an excellent insulator, wood siding suffers problems over time when exposed to rain, hail, and snow.
HardieShingle
James Hardie’s fiber cement is made of cement, sand, and cellulose. This combination stands up to rain, hail, snow, and even severe weather including high winds.
Durability
Cedar Shakes
Because cedar is easily infiltrated with water, problems like wood rot, mold and mildew often arise, decreasing the lifespan of this particular siding material.
HardieShingle
Hardie siding lasts up to 50 years when it is installed by one of Hardie’s trained and experienced Preferred Contractors (like us!) and then is well maintained throughout its lifespan. Hardie’s maintenance is easy. Simply wash it twice a year and replace any deteriorating caulking over the years.
Maintenance
Cedar Shakes
Paint wears off cedar shake and shingle siding easily, requiring homeowners the costly and tedious task of repainting it every 3-5 years. Additionally, wood siding needs to be regularly inspected for damage from moisture intrusion, pest infestation, or woodpeckers. If these common problems are overlooked, they get significantly worse over time, costing you even more in home maintenance and repairs.
HardieShingle
Low maintenance Hardie siding comes in durable ColorPlus® technology colors that are applied in a controlled factory setting and are warrantied for 15 years—so you don’t have to be concerned about your home’s siding chipping, fading, and flaking! You get durable, vibrant colors, smooth and consistent in application with UV resistance, and you can rest at ease knowing you only have to repaint your home every 15 years, saving you the expense of repainting.
Pest-Resistance
Cedar Shakes
Wood siding tends to attract termites, carpenter ants and other pests, creating costly damage to your home. If woodpeckers nest in and peck on your wood siding, just when you think you have the repairs done, they typically return annually to do more damage to your home.
HardieShingle
The only solution to the problem with pests is to replace your wood siding with a material that resists pest intrusion. Hardie siding is not edible, and pests are not attracted to it in any way, giving you peace of mind that your home is well-protected and pest-free for years to come.
Fire-Resistance
Cedar Shakes
Should the unexpected happen and your house catches on fire, cedar shake and shingle siding will fuel a fire—increasing the danger to you and your property. While wood siding is often treated with fire retardant, it still doesn’t match other non-combustible siding materials (like fiber cement).
HardieShingle
Hardie siding is non-combustible, so it won’t fuel a fire as wood siding does. Hardie’s non-combustible nature means you, your loved ones, and your property are better protected if a fire breaks out in your home. In fact, some insurance companies offer a discount due to the added protection you get if your home is covered in James Hardie siding.
Cedar Shake’s Iconic Look
Cedar Shakes
When you own a Cape Cod home, you’ll love the look of cedar shake or cedar shingles on its exterior. The problem is that when you cover your home with wood siding, it will create problems over time.
HardieShingle
You can get the beauty of cedar shakes or cedar shingles without the high maintenance and without costly moisture intrusion if you replace your wood siding with Hardie siding. Imagine enjoying the beauty of cedar without the problems that wood consistently causes homeowners. James Hardie delivers stunning beauty that lasts. Install HardieShingle® siding, and your Cape Cod home will look gorgeous for decades!
Color Options
Cedar Shakes
Your cedar shakes can either be stained or painted to achieve the perfect look for your Shawnee or Kansas City area home. The problem is, your home will need to be repainted in just a few years to keep it sealed and prevent moisture intrusion.
HardieShingle
When you choose Hardie’s ColorPlus technology, you get designer-picked color combinations that elevate your home’s curb appeal and will last 3 to 5 times as long as traditional house paint.
Get Stunning, Low Maintenance Siding for Your Cape Cod Style Home
If you’re tired of your wood siding’s problems, replace it with James Hardie siding, and enjoy genuine warmth and beauty without the high maintenance and costly damage wood brings.
At Safe Harbor, we are James Hardie certified contractors, so we follow their strict guidelines on the installation process to meet the warranty requirements. The result? Your home will be well-protected, low maintenance, and attractive!
Learn more about our James Hardie siding.
