Nichiha or James Hardie Siding?

For many years, James Hardie has been the leading brand in the fiber cement siding industry. After all, why shouldn’t it be? It’s not only non-combustible and highly durable, but it’s also visually-appealing and has an extensive variety of colors to choose from.

However, there’s another siding brand that has been steadily increasing in popularity. It’s called Nichiha, a type of fiber cement siding developed by a Japanese manufacturer. Nichiha previously focused on the commercial market but has moved into the residential market in recent years. In this article, we’re going to compare James Hardie and Nichiha to help you determine which siding brand would work best for you. Give our Legacy Service team a call at 215-798-9790 to learn more about siding replacement.

Comparison: Nichiha vs. James Hardie

Should you choose Nichiha or James Hardie siding? Well, they’re both fantastic choices, so it merely comes down to a matter of preference. In the sections below, we’ll compare Nichiha and James Hardie by listing the pros and cons of each, determining the average prices, and presenting which colors they have as options.

The good news is that there’s no wrong answer, whichever one you select!

Nichiha: Pros

Nichiha siding provides a variety of benefits. Some of our favorites include:

• Durability – If you thought that James Hardie siding was tough, just wait until you hear about Nichiha panels. Nichiha offers some of the finest durability in the industry. This is due to the fact that they pour the fiber cement into a solid mold, which helps prevent delamination at the edges from moisture infiltration.
• Wood fiber cement siding – If you’re looking for fiber cement siding that resembles wood, Nichiha is a fantastic choice. The brand uses a specific procedure that puts a ton of pressure on the product during the stamping process, which results in less pattern repetition, deeper grooves, and more pronounced shadows.
• Wall panels – Nichiha panels are not only easy and quick to install, but they also offer a wide variety of colors, styles, and textures. Some Nichiha panels options you can choose from include Nichipanel, vintage wood, architectural block, and Nichiha Illumination.

Nichiha: Cons

Like most things, Nichiha also has a few disadvantages. They include:

• Limited availability – It would be heartbreaking to get find a type of siding that you love only to find out it’s not available in your area. Before you set your sights on Nichiha, check the current list to see their residential siding options and where they’re available.
• Some contractors will not install Nichiha – Some contractors have never even heard of Nichiha. However, Legacy Service will install Nichiha fiber-cement wall panels. Contact us for more information about how to get started!

James Hardie: Pros

James Hardie is one of the leading fiber cement products in the siding industry, and for good reason. There are plenty of advantages to choosing Hardie panels. They include:

• Durability – You probably already know that James Hardie siding is much more durable than vinyl siding, but did you realize how much? It’s five times thicker than vinyl, meaning that it will last longer and your home will be better protected. It has also been approved for fire-rated construction as a non-combustible siding.
• Color flexibility – James Hardie is one of the leading brands when it comes to color options. Its ColorPlus Technology finishes are baked on to provide up to 30% better fade resistance than other options. Colors are also computer-matched, so you can get the highest level of consistency.

James Hardie: Cons

Here’s why people hesitate about choosing James Hardie for siding:

• Expense – Although James Hardie is a wonderful siding brand, one of its drawbacks is the fact that it’s more expensive than vinyl. This is because the material used for James Hardie is heavier than vinyl, so the installation will require specialized installation and more labor.

Nichiha vs. Hardie: Cost

When it comes to siding, most people are mainly concerned with two features: quality and pricing. Now, let’s look at pricing. Nichiha siding jobs tend to cost less than James Hardie jobs; Nichiha averages about $7.97 per square foot while James Hardie averages $9.21 per square foot. Please note that these costs may differ depending on the styles, textures, and colors you choose.

Colors

The good news is that both Nichiha and James Hardie board siding have plenty of color choices. Here’s a list of possible selections that you might want for your home:

Nichiha

• Vintage Wood – Cedar
• Vintage Wood – Ash
• Vintage Wood – Bark
• Vintage Wood – Redwood
• Vintage Wood – Spruce
• Architectural Block – Gray
• Architectural Block – Tuscan
• Architectural Block – Mocha
• Canyon Brick – Shale Brown
• Ledgestone – Bluff
• Plymouth Brick – Crimson
• Vintage Brick – White Wash

James Hardie

• Arctic White
• Cobble Stone
• Najavo Beige
• Monterey Taupe
• Khaki Brown
• Timber Bark
• Gray Slate
• Light Mist
• Pearl Gray

All of these colors (and more) can be viewed respectively on the Nichiha and James Hardie websites.

Assortment/Range

Both Nichiha and James Hardie have a wide assortment of siding products. The only thing you need to remember is to check what Nichiha products are available in your state before you decide on one. Here’s a current list of their residential siding options:

Nichiha

• Architectural Wall Panels – Available throughout the United States and Canada
• NichiFrontier Shake – Available throughout the United States, except Alaska and Hawaii
• Savannah Smooth Architectural Lap Siding – Available throughout the United States
• NichiFrontier Shake – Available throughout the United States, except Alaska and Hawaii

James Hardie

• HardiePlank® Lap Siding
• HardiePanel® Vertical Siding
• HardieShingle® Siding
• HardieTrim® Boards

Contact Us to Get Started!

Choosing fiber cement siding for your home is one of the best investments you can make because it’s durable, yet beautiful. The tough decision will be to choose from James Hardie and Nichiha. Fortunately, you have our team here at Legacy Service to guide you. To learn more about fiber cement siding installation and replacement, call us at 215-798-9790 or fill out a contact form here. It’s time to give your home the siding you deserve!