Wood Siding vs. Hardie Board – Which One is Much Better?
You might be wondering if you should go with wood siding or a Hardie board for your home. Both have pros and cons, but which one is the best choice for you? It can be hard to decide what material to choose for your home’s exterior. Siding is a big investment, and you want to […]
Article Summary
- You might be wondering if you should go with wood siding or a Hardie board for your home.
- Both have pros and cons, but which one is the best choice for you?
- It can be hard to decide what material to choose for your home’s exterior.
- Siding is a big investment, and you want to […]
PRO TIP Start with the city winner if they hang the material you want. Get wrap, flashing, and trim on the written estimate.
PRO TIP Ask who is on the job the week they start.
You might be wondering if you should go with wood siding or a Hardie board for your home. Both have pros and cons, but which one is the best choice for you?
It can be hard to decide what material to choose for your home’s exterior. Siding is a big investment, and you want to make sure you make the right decision.
In this article, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of both sidings and provide tips on how to choose between these sidings to help you decide which is best for your home.
Wood Siding
Wood siding is a natural choice for home exteriors. It is made from planks of real wood attached to your home in alternating patterns. You have a lot of options when it comes to wood siding.
It can be painted, stained, or left natural for a more rustic look. There are even types of wood siding designed to mimic the look of stone or brick.
Advantages of Wood Siding
There are lots of reasons to choose wood siding, including:
- It has traditional and natural beauty.
- It can be stained or painted for a stylish look you’ll love.
- Eco-friendly because it’s made from a renewable resource.
- Various styles are available, so you can easily find something that matches your home’s look.
Disadvantages of Wood Siding
Along with being a popular choice, wood siding does have some drawbacks that might make it less than ideal for your home.
- If you’re looking to maximize energy efficiency, wood isn’t always the best option because it can allow heat to escape into your attic, even if it has insulation.
- It’s also susceptible to rotting and warping over time.
- This siding needs regular, ongoing maintenance because moisture can damage it.
- Mold will grow if you leave water or moisture inside your siding. If this occurs, you’ll have to pay for costly repairs if you want your siding to look good again.
Hardie Board Siding
Hardie board is an exterior siding composed of cement and fiber materials. James Hardie invented it in the early 1980s, and it’s become increasingly popular over the years.
It is also known as masonite or fiber cement board because of its primary materials. Siding companies manufacture Hardie board with several finishes, including paint, stain, and even faux wood grain.
Advantages of Hardie Board Siding
- Inexpensive compared to other durable exterior siding materials.
- It’s sturdy and strong, which means it can handle severe weather like hurricanes and storms without damage.
- It is ideal for coastal areas because it won’t expand or contract at high humidity levels.
- It offers good insulation properties, so your home is more energy-efficient.
Disadvantages of Hardi Board Siding
- All that convenience and durability come at a higher price than traditional siding.
- Hardi board can also be expensive compared to other exterior siding materials.
- It’s not as flexible as wood siding, so it can’t be used for lots of different applications and styles.
Features Comparison
We will compare each of the same features for both sidings. We will give the advantages and disadvantages of these factors.
Price
Wood Siding is cheaper than Hardie Board Siding. This siding cost around $5 – $12 per square foot installed, while Hardie Board costs around $7 – $13 per square foot. This is because the Hardie board is more expensive to make.
Appearance
Hardie Board Siding has a more modern look than wood siding. It can also be made into different styles like simulated wood or stone, while natural siding tops out at the kind of grain you see on cedar boards.
Both come in paintable and non-paintable types. Wood siding comes in either painted or stained, which allows you to choose how you want it to look. Hardi board can be stained or painted like real wood boards, but it also comes in faux wood grain options for a more natural appearance.
Type of Material
Wood Siding is made from real wood, which is a renewable resource. Hardie Board or Type C Sheet siding is made from cement and fiber materials, a lightweight alternative for materials like brick and stone.
Material Durability
Hardie Board Siding is more durable than wood siding because it can better withstand harsh weather conditions like hurricanes and storms without any damage.
Wood siding is easier to warp and rot over time if you don’t take care of it well. Wood can be damaged by moisture and mold growth when the wood becomes wet after long periods of sitting in water.
Maintenance
Hardie Board requires less maintenance because it does not require staining or repainting as wood siding does. This siding would need to be repainted or stained every few years.
Hardie Board does not rot like wood siding because it is composed of cement, which dries up water. Additionally, no mildew spores grow on the Hardie board once you paint or stain it.
Installation Process
Wood Siding is easy to install. Hardie Board requires different techniques and requires special tools for installation due to its rough surface. It is also much heavier than wood and more difficult to cut. Hardie board siding requires a special blade for cutting the panels.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Between Wood and Hardie Board Siding
Here are some factors to consider to help you choose between the two sidings.
Location of your home
Hardi board is the best siding material if you live in a coastal area because it won’t expand or contract due to high humidity levels, unlike wood. However, if you live in a place that rarely rains, this siding is much easier to maintain.
Design of your home
You should consider the design of your house before choosing a new siding. If you are trying to achieve a colonial look with clapboard walls and shutters, you should choose woods.
However, if you are trying to achieve a modern look with simple, clean lines, then Hardie board is a better option.
If you have an old house with no exterior work in 50 years or more, it might be best to use real wood for your siding because it will be easier to match the old wood look.
Climate
If you live in a place like Oklahoma, this siding will warp and crack because of the humidity levels. Hardie Board Siding is a better choice for these conditions because it won’t expand or contract like wood siding.
Online Reviews
Some people prefer Wood over Hardie Board because of their lifestyle. Wood is a natural material, and some people enjoy having a home with a rustic feel.
Hardie Board Siding is a good choice if you want something that requires less maintenance while still looking good for a long time.
If you want something that looks more natural and is not very expensive, then Wood might be a better choice for you.
Conclusion: Which One Is Better?
Both sidings have their pros and cons. Real wood exteriors enhance the beauty of your home, while Hardi Board Siding is a low-maintenance material that can resist harsh weather conditions.
Both wood siding and Hardie board siding have their own separate advantages. Still, based on price, durability, appearance, type of material, and installation process, Hardi Board Siding would be the better choice to go with.If you reach this end part of the article, you might consider one of these two options. If you live in Oklahoma and you are looking for a siding contractor, you can read our article about 7 Best Siding Contractors in Oklahoma so you will get an idea about whom to choose.
FAQ
How do I hire a siding company in Oklahoma?
Start with the 2026 city winner if they hang the material you want, then call that shop. Get wrap, flashing, and trim on the written estimate. Ask who is on site the week they start.
How much does new siding cost in Oklahoma?
Price depends on material, square footage, tear-off, trim, and access. Vinyl is usually the lowest bid. Engineered wood sits in the middle. Hardie, fiber cement, and brick cost more up front. Ask the shop to split labor and materials on the written estimate.
What should be on a written siding estimate?
Product line and color, square footage, tear-off or reside, housewrap, flashing, trim, soffit, paint or factory finish, dumpster, and start window. If wrap and flashing are missing, the cheap number is usually a thinner scope.
What siding holds up in Oklahoma weather?
Fiber cement and Hardie handle hail, heat, and ice better than thin vinyl. Wood looks right on older homes but needs paint and rot checks. Match the material to the storm risk on your street.
Do I need to replace siding or can I repair it?
Repair works when damage is local: a few cracked boards, one wall, chimney wrap, or trim rot. Full replacement makes sense when the wrap is failing, paint will not hold, water is behind the skin, or you are changing material.
How do I pick a shop?
Most cities have one winner. Start there if they hang the material you want. Call that shop and get wrap, flashing, and trim on the written estimate.
How long does a siding job take?
A typical Tulsa house is days, not months, if weather holds. Homeowners on this issue describe whole-house wraps in a week and smaller chimney or gable jobs in a day or two. Ask about start date, crew size, and whether they tear off and hang in the same week.
Do I need a permit for siding in Tulsa?
Ask the shop who pulls the permit and whose name is on it. Some jobs need a permit, some do not. Get that answer in writing so the start date is not a surprise.
Should I stay in the house during the job?
Most homeowners stay home. Expect noise, outdoor crews, and daily cleanup. If you will be out of town, ask who locks the site and how they reach you. One Tulsa Renew homeowner wrote that a wrap finished while they were away and the yard was cleaned.
What is tear-off versus hanging over the old siding?
Tear-off removes the old skin so the crew can see sheathing, wrap, and rot. Hanging over existing siding is faster and can hide problems. After Oklahoma hail or a leak, ask to see the wall before you agree to reside over it.
How do insurance claims work with siding?
After hail, some shops help walk the claim with the adjuster. Ask who talks to insurance, what the supplement process is, and whether the walls and the roof are one ticket. Get the scope in writing even when insurance is paying.
What warranty should I ask for?
Ask for the manufacturer warranty on the product and a workmanship warranty from the shop. Burnett publishes a live-in-the-home workmanship warranty. Other shops state their terms on the bid. Read what is covered after wind and hail.
The 2026 ranking of Oklahoma siding contractors
Read the ranking, then call the company you want for an estimate.