Champion Forest Exteriors, Inc. specializes in professional siding installation services throughout the Houston area, offering James Hardie fiber cement products, HardiePlank® lap siding, and comprehensive exterior renovation solutions backed by manufacturer certifications and over two decades of installation experience.
Our siding installation process begins with a detailed exterior consultation and precise measurement of your home's facade. During this initial assessment, our certified installers evaluate existing siding conditions, identify moisture barriers, check for structural damage, and calculate exact material requirements. We utilize laser measurement tools and digital imaging to ensure accuracy within 1/16 inch tolerances, critical for proper James Hardie product installation according to manufacturer specifications.
James Hardie fiber cement siding, particularly the HardiePlank® lap siding system, requires specialized installation techniques that differ significantly from vinyl or wood alternatives. The material's composition—a blend of Portland cement, sand, and cellulose fibers—demands specific fastening patterns, joint spacing, and flashing details. Our crews maintain James Hardie's required 6-inch minimum clearance from grade and install ColorPlus® Technology products with the prescribed 1/8-inch gaps for thermal expansion, preventing buckling and warranty violations.
The installation timeline typically spans 5-7 days for an average 2,500 square foot home, though factors like architectural complexity, trim work, and weather conditions affect scheduling. Our process includes removing existing siding, inspecting and repairing sheathing, installing house wrap moisture barriers, applying metal flashing at critical junctions, and systematically installing siding courses from bottom to top. Each HardiePlank® board is blind-nailed through the top edge using corrosion-resistant fasteners, ensuring the warranty-required penetration depth into structural framing.
As an Andersen Windows Certified Contractor and Simonton Window Master Installer, Champion Forest Exteriors frequently coordinates siding projects with window replacements, ensuring proper integration of fenestration components with new cladding systems. This expertise proves invaluable when installing James Hardie's HardieTrim® boards around window and door openings, where precise cuts and sealed joints prevent moisture infiltration.
Cost considerations for fiber cement siding installation range from $8-12 per square foot installed, including materials and labor. This investment delivers superior durability compared to vinyl options, with James Hardie products carrying 30-year limited warranties and demonstrated resistance to Houston's humid climate, termite activity, and hurricane-force winds. Our installation teams complete mandatory James Hardie installer certification programs annually, ensuring compliance with evolving best practices and maintaining our preferred contractor status for warranty processing.