A More Flexible Approach to Historic Building Exteriors
How Hardie® siding meets revised federal guidance for the use of substitute materials in historic preservation.
Long before Instagram, and even before the first photograph was taken, the memories of our shared cultural experiences were preserved in historic buildings that outlived the era in which they were built. When James Hardie entered the U.S. market in the 1990s, our products provided a durable defense against harsh weather for newly constructed homes and re-siding projects alike. Now, we’re proud to be involved in the rehabilitation of historic homes as well.
New siding gives new life to old places, so that their walls may tell the stories of our past for years to come.
In the past, the federal guidance focused on repairing buildings with the original materials whenever possible while avoiding replacement with modern materials. But a September 2023 update to National Park Service (NPS) Preservation Brief 16: The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors shows a shift toward a more flexible approach to preservation, allowing new replacement materials in an expanded set of circumstances so long as they maintain the building’s historic integrity. That gives Hardie® siding an important role to play in supporting the efforts of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which aims to preserve the aesthetic character of historic buildings that remain rooted in our history.
Responding to Preservation Challenges
As historic building exteriors deteriorate with time, preserving their character becomes more challenging. Certain materials may no longer be available, there may not be skilled workers capable of installing them, or it may not be economically feasible to purchase and maintain them over time.
Building and fire codes also changed, sometimes requiring modern replacement materials for compliance reasons. Additionally, if the building is vulnerable to extreme weather events, newer, more resilient materials may be necessary for the building to withstand future climate risks, especially if a fire, flood, or hurricane has already damaged the existing siding beyond repair.
To make space for creative solutions to preservation challenges, the National Park Service (NPS) expanded its list of suitable materials for replacement and updated its guidance on situations when the use of substitute materials is appropriate. The guidance comes with a reminder, however, preservationists should still select materials that match the visual and physical characteristics of the original building and are consistent with rehabilitation standards in order to maintain the historical integrity of the structure
Replacing Wood Siding with Fiber Cement Siding
Historic buildings typically feature masonry, metal, or wood siding. NPS Preservation Brief 16 evaluates potential substitutes for each of these materials. Fiber cement siding and trim is recognized in the Brief as a potential substitute material for wood siding and trim.
This table shows how fiber cement meets the criteria listed in Preservation Brief 16.
| Preservation Brief 16 Criteria | Hardie® Fiber Cement Cladding |
| Appearance |
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| Affordability |
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| Installation / Artisan Skills |
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| Material Durability |
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| Code Compliance | Meets requirements for:
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| Resiliency and Sustainability |
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Hardie® Siding Has the Aesthetics of Real Wood: To Maintain Historic Character
Hardie® siding is available in textures and profiles that are difficult to distinguish from authentic wood siding—only a highly trained eye can perceive the difference between the two materials. From smooth Hardie® Plank lap siding with a 5-inch reveal, to wood-grained Hardie® Shingle, to Hardie® Artisan with V-groove joints, you will find a profile and texture to match the historic cladding used in your district.
There’s no need to compromise on color, either. Hardie siding is available in a wide variety of ColorPlus® Technology factory finish colors, with a 15-year warranty against chipping, peeling, and cracking. For preservationists hoping to match the color of existing siding on a historic building (in the case of constructing a new addition or completing a partial replacement), Hardie siding is also available factory primed for custom painting on site.
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Long-Term Durability and Resilience Against Severe Weather
Wood siding is combustible—it will burn at high temperatures, ignite when exposed to flame and is more easily damaged by fire. It’s also more vulnerable to moisture damage than fiber cement siding. Hardie siding, on the other hand, is noncombustible and highly moisture resistant, with a FEMA Class 5 flood damage resistance rating—the highest rating possible. That means Hardie siding is more resilient than wood.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Designing for Natural Hazards series recommends fiber cement siding in home upgrades for improved resiliency against fire, wind, hail and flood damage. In addition, Hardie® siding can be installed to meet the strict building code requirements in Florida High Velocity Hurricane Zones—one of the toughest in the country.
Unlike wood, Hardie siding holds no appeal to pests. It also has twice the dimensional stability of wood which means it typically requires less painting and caulking maintenance. That’s why James Hardie stands by its products with a 30-year, non-prorated warranty.
photo by: James Hardie
James Ord Block in Medfield, Massachusetts.
Available, Affordable, and Easier to Maintain than Wood
Hardie siding is readily available nationwide and is often more cost-effective than wood siding, both in terms of material cost and maintenance. For example, cedar siding, which is commonly used in historic districts, can be 50-100 percent more expensive than fiber cement and typically requires more frequent upkeep and repainting. Meanwhile, Hardie siding may result in lower property insurance premiums since many insurance companies recognize the durability and resiliency of the product.
Historic Buildings Get New Life with Hardie® Siding
Due to the aesthetics, durability, resiliency, sustainability, and affordability of fiber cement siding, many historic districts already accept the material for renovations and new construction, including those in Chicago, New York City, and Austin, Texas.
Architect David Sharff, winner of the 2017 HardieDesign contest, brought a historic center in Medfield, Massachusetts. back to life with Hardie Plank lap siding in Deep Ocean and Hardie Trim Boards in Arctic White. Sharff said he was excited to see the James Ord Block, which was originally constructed in the 1890s and had been used as a hardware store for some time, bustling with people again after the restoration. While the building looks pristine, it still holds the historic character of old buildings in the community.
photo by: James Hardie
Historic Home in Baltimore, Maryland re-sided with Hardie Products.
Maryland-based Mueller Homes also used Hardie siding in historic areas of Baltimore. President Paul Mueller, Jr. said local historic boards appreciated the aesthetic of the material, along with its long-term durability, during the company’s presentations. And, serial house renovator Holly Williams used Hardie siding to renovate a dilapidated 1800s farmhouse outside of Nashville due to the product’s historic look and modern benefits. “I’m a fiend for making something old, new again,” she said.
The update to Preservation Brief 16 will likely inspire more architects and contractors to use Hardie siding for their renovation projects, allowing historic districts nationwide to experience the same revitalization. Preserving historic buildings with durable materials allows echoes of the past to carry forward into future generations, protecting early memories of America amid rapid advancements and climate change. Explore our products to see what’s possible for your next historic preservation project.
Lindsay Frankel is a freelance writer based in Denver. Her work has been featured in more than a dozen publications, including SFGate, BiggerPockets, LendingTree, Investopedia, CNN, and Fox Business. She received a B.A. in education from Elmhurst University.
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