What PNW Weather Does to Siding
Understanding the challenges helps you pick the right material:
Moisture Penetration
Wind drives rain horizontally into seams and gaps. Materials must resist water infiltration from multiple angles, not just straight-down rain.
Mold & Mildew Growth
Our humidity promotes biological growth on most surfaces. North-facing walls stay damp and grow green within 2-3 years on many materials.
Expansion/Contraction
We see 20-30 freeze/thaw cycles annually. Materials expand and contract, stressing fasteners and seams. Rigid materials crack; flexible ones warp.
UV Degradation
When the sun does appear, UV breaks down paint and materials. South and west faces fade fastest. Cheap materials chalk and fade in 5-7 years.
Material Comparison: What Works Here
Fiber Cement (James Hardie)
Recommended30-50 year lifespan. Won't rot, resists impacts, holds paint well. Needs repainting every 15-20 years.
Cost: $8-14/sqft installed | PNW Grade: A
Vinyl
Budget Option20-30 year lifespan. No painting needed. Can crack in cold, warps in heat, cheaper grades fade quickly.
Cost: $4-8/sqft installed | PNW Grade: B-
Wood (Cedar)
High Maintenance20-40 years with vigilant maintenance. Beautiful but demanding. Needs treatment every 3-5 years or it rots.
Cost: $8-16/sqft installed | PNW Grade: B (if maintained)
Engineered Wood (LP SmartSide)
Good Value25-30 years. Wood look without cedar maintenance. Must be painted; cut edges need sealing.
Cost: $6-10/sqft installed | PNW Grade: B+
Full comparison: Vinyl vs Fiber Cement Siding: Which Is Better for the PNW?
James Hardie: Worth the Premium?
James Hardie fiber cement is the most specified siding in the Pacific Northwest. It costs 40-60% more than vinyl. Here's why contractors (including us) recommend it:
- Moisture resistance. Fiber cement doesn't absorb water like wood or trap it like some vinyl installations.
- Impact resistance. Won't crack from hail, rocks from mowers, or accidental impacts.
- Fire resistance. Non-combustible. Matters for insurance and safety.
- ColorPlus finish. Factory-applied finish with 15-year warranty outperforms field-applied paint.
- Resale value. Appraisers and buyers recognize the quality difference.
Full cost-benefit analysis: Is James Hardie Siding Worth It? Honest Analysis
Our take: If you're staying 10+ years, fiber cement pays for itself through lower maintenance and better durability. For shorter ownership or tight budgets, quality vinyl is acceptable.
Maintenance by Material Type
Important: "Low maintenance" doesn't mean no maintenance. All siding needs annual cleaning in our climate to prevent moss and mildew buildup. A pressure washer on low setting or soft wash service handles this.
Signs It's Time to Replace Your Siding
May Be Repairable
- • Localized damage from impact
- • A few cracked or loose boards
- • Fading that can be painted over
- • Caulk failure at seams
Time to Replace
- • Rot visible in multiple areas
- • Warping across large sections
- • Water damage inside walls
- • Severe fading/chalking everywhere
Pro tip: When repairing older vinyl or wood siding, matching colors is often impossible. If you need to replace more than 20% of the siding, full replacement often makes more sense visually and financially.
Considering New Siding?
We install James Hardie, LP SmartSide, and quality vinyl. Free estimates with honest material recommendations for your situation.