Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Lakeside Exteriors

Does Lakeside Exteriors have a referral program?

Questions about James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding

What is the composition of James Hardie replacement siding?

How long has James Hardie Industries been in business?

Once installed, what are the James Hardie Fiber-Cement painting requirements?

How is James Hardie siding installed and how long does it take?

Do you remove my existing siding?

What is the James Hardie warranty?

What is the advantage of James Hardie siding compared to vinyl?

What is the advantage of James Hardie siding compared to premium wood?

I have a stucco house. Does James Hardie offer a stucco look?

Should I have my windows replaced when I replace the siding?

Do you replace soffit and fascia with James Hardie products?

If I have James Hardie fiber-cement installed, will I be eligible for an insurance discount?

Q. Does Lakeside have a referral program?

A. Yes. We will pay you one percent (1%) of the total initial sale price of any job sold and installed by us as a direct result of your referral of a new customer (i.e. $30,000 contract = $300 reward to you). You will be paid upon completion and final payment of the job(s) referred by you.  Should you decide to have us do additional work for you, we will allow a one percent discount off the cost of that work.  In the event we receive the same prospective customer’s name as a referral from you and another source, we reserve the right to pay you a lesser amount, which in our sole discretion we deem appropriate.

Q. What is the composition of James Hardie replacement siding?

Only the finest raw materials are used in James Hardie fiber-cement (Hardiplank, Hardishingle, and Hardipanel). Premium Portland Cement, finely-ground sand, natural cellulose fibers, and water are combined and cured through a proprietary manufacturing process into the most durable siding.

A. How long has James Hardie Industries been in business?

A. James Hardie Industries was founded in Australia in 1888 and began selling cement products in 1903. The company opened its first US manufacturing plant in Fontana, California in 1989. Most James Hardie products installed in the St. Louis metropolitan area are manufactured at a modern plant in Peruque, IL. Hardiplank is now manufactured in eight plants in the US and has been installed on over 3.5 million homes.

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Q. Once installed, what are the James Hardie Fiber-Cement painting requirements?

A. James Hardie siding can be installed with 3 painting alternatives:

1. Factory applied “Color Plus” is available in 20 colors. James Hardie warrants this coating for 15 years. Actual performance can far exceed this.
2. Lakeside Exteriors can apply custom colors on-site following installation of a James Hardie primed product. Some paint manufacturers offer premium lifetime warranted coatings (material replacement), including Lakeside Exterior’s supplier. With this coating, we have a slogan: “paint only when you want to change colors”.

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Q. How is James Hardie siding installed?

A. In most cases, the existing siding is removed. An underlayment to protect against moisture infiltrations is first applied to the exterior of the house, then the Hardiplank, Hardishingles, or Hardipanels are nailed to the existing structure. No nails are visible on Hardiplanks or Hardishingles.

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Q. Do you remove my existing siding?

A. As mentioned above, the existing siding is removed from most homes. This is particularly true when the original siding was composite hard-board or standard wood siding. It is recommended that ALL discovered rot be removed.

Q. What is the James Hardie Warranty?

A. James Hardie has a 50-year limited, transferable warranty.

Q. What is the advantage of James Hardie siding compared to vinyl?

A. Vinyl is subject to fading, mold, hail damage, and being punctured from flying objects. It is also less substantial; it expands greatly with a change in temperature and is readily damaged by heat/fire. James Hardie is either resistant or has no problem with all of the above. For a graphical comparison of James Hardie siding and vinyl, Click Here.

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Q. What is the advantage of James Hardie siding compared to premium wood?

A. Wood siding requires frequent maintenance, it suffers from nail popping, woodpeckers love it as do many other insects including termites. Wood contracts and expands with temperature causing rapid paint failure. For a graphical comparison of James Hardie siding and wood/wood composites, Click Here.

Q. I have a stucco house. Does James Hardie offer a stucco look?

A. Yes, James Hardie offers four types of panels to accomodate architectural styles including Tudor and stucco that do not use lap-style siding.

An example of a Tudor style that uses Hardipanels instead of lap siding.

Q. Should I have my windows replaced when I replace the siding?

A. Yes, if the windows are mechanically failing and if they do not provide adequate insulation from weather. It is preferable to replace the windows when you replace the siding. However, windows can be replaced later if desired.

Q. Do you replace soffit and fascia with James Hardie products?

A. If the soffit and fascia is in good condition, we do not replace them. However, many of our projects replace soffit and fascia at the same time new siding is installed. It depends upon the condition of the original soffit/fascia. Soffit and fascia can be fabricated of James Hardie fiber-cement, aluminum, or vinyl; a choice of the homeowner.

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Q. If I have James Hardie fiber-cement installed, will I be eligible for an insurance discount?

A. We have learned that many of our customers have realized significant homeowners insurance savings with the masonry based fiber-cement siding. However, not all insurance companies discount for this.