What is wrong with your siding that makes you want to replace it? That's a big, expensive job-- we re-sided our house (with cedar clapboards and shingles) as part of a deep energy retrofit. Hardi is OK if you seal the cut ends carefully per the instructions, but it won't look as good as wood on an old house. Better than vinyl for sure!

Well, nothing is wrong with the wood siding, except it needs a very good scraping and painting job--was poorly painted last time.

Guess I'm just musing here and wondering why the neighbors went with Hardi board. As far as I can tell, their siding was in the same shape as mine--just needing a paint job. Of course I will find out more once I get a chance to ask them.

I live in an area of mostly 1920s homes. Neighbor across the street resided with light yellow Hardi Board. Their reason was the easier maintenance (we're in a very high labor cost area - painting exterior runs $15k minimum (residing is more, but not much more)). Their original shingles were shot - had to be replaced. They haven't had to do anything to it and its about 15 years old. They were told it would need repainting after 15 or 20 years, but I don't see any flaking or fading from sun. Looks same as when new.

FYI: Other neighbors who know more about design said they did something most don't: all the trim/edges/window trim are wood (painting white). It isn't obvious that they used a non-wood product for the siding. I.e., all the houses near it have wood shingles or siding, and their home doesn't look out of place.

I won't paint my house again - I'll reside with Hardie or other composite. HTH.

A good paint job is going to cost me $15-20K here, also a neighborhood with 1920s homes. So that's part of the reason I'm musing on Hardi board. I have yet to get an estimate but I may do so, just for fun. Did you get an estimate Amanda?

Estimate for Hardie? I didn't but only b/c we got got the painting done for "only" $8k (note that I have a dutch colonial: brick 1st floor, only painting to be done was 2nd floor (white cedar shingles) and tiny kitchen porch railings and 6 window shutters.) This was after estimates for $15k and $12k IIRC.

If we were planning to stay here long term I'd definitely reside next time. (Would research to see whats new first. There's a faux cedar shingle called "Cedar Impressions" another 1920s house used. They also have color choices like Hardieboard. That home looks new still - been at least 5 years since they resided. In another part of my town with tear downs/new construction: all have composite siding - so I'd go find out what they have. I don't ever see new builds with wood siding here.)

As I get older anything I can do to make maintenance easier/less often is worth considering. I'd guess that the labor hours for residing is similar to that of painting - so probably wouldn't cost that much more. (Labor is, by far, the biggest cost to paint - sounds like in your area too as goodness knows paint doesn't cost $15k.) But finding a skilled carpenter is probably harder than finding a painter here.

" I'd guess that the labor hours for residing is similar to that of painting - so probably wouldn't cost that much more."

Not even close on a strip and re side using Hardie.

"Not even close on a strip and re side using Hardie."

Meaning far more to strip/reside? (The estimates to paint just the 2nd story of my house (dutch colonial - 1st floor is brick) were $8k to $15k (2 bids $15k; 1 bid $8k). Ok this was 3 years. I'm in a HCOL area.)

I heard that Hardi board for a house about my size (Dutch Colonial, 1600 sq ft) would run about $40,000. But that's only what I heard in a casual conversation. I have not gotten an estimate (yet).

If you're residing an old house with Hardie, I'd only use their Artisan brand which is more true to old siding.

Personally, if my siding were in good condition, I'd have it professionally painted.

I much prefer the look of a home with timber/lumber it looks solid somehow, more finished than Hardy. When painted well it leaves Hardy for dead.