Blaine Siding One Product, One Standard
We get asked fairly often why we don't offer vinyl, LP SmartSide, Cemplank, Allura, or cedar as options alongside James Hardie. The honest answer is that we made a decision years ago to install one siding system and install it well, rather than carry five products and become mediocre at all of them. James Hardie fiber cement is that system. This page explains the reasoning, not the marketing.
What Blaine's Climate Actually Does to Siding
Blaine sits right on the water at the top of Whatcom County, which means siding here deals with a specific combination of stresses: salt-laden air off the Strait of Georgia and Semiahmoo Bay, long stretches of driving rain in fall and winter, and a moss and mildew season that can run half the year on shaded, north-facing walls. Wood-based products absorb moisture and swell. Salt air accelerates corrosion of fasteners and finish breakdown. Cheap vinyl gets brittle in cold snaps and can warp near dark trim colors that pull heat. None of these are theoretical problems for this region — they're the reason siding fails early here more than in drier inland climates.
Why We Standardized on Fiber Cement
James Hardie siding is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fiber. It doesn't rot, it isn't a food source for moss or fungus the way wood-based siding can be, and it's non-combustible — which matters more each year as wildfire smoke and ember exposure become a bigger part of Pacific Northwest summers. It holds paint and factory finish far longer than wood substrates because it doesn't expand and contract with moisture the same way.
Engineered for Where It's Installed
Hardie doesn't make one siding for the whole country. Their HZ5 product line is engineered for regions with the kind of cold, wet, humid conditions we get in Whatcom County — as opposed to their HZ10 line, built for hot, dry climates. That regional engineering is part of why we trust the product: it was designed with a climate like ours in mind, not a generic national spec.
ColorPlus Factory Finish
Most of what we install uses Hardie's ColorPlus finish — baked on in a controlled factory setting, not brushed or sprayed on-site. That finish resists fading and chipping far longer than field-applied paint, and it comes with its own finish warranty separate from the product warranty. Fewer repaint cycles over the life of the siding means lower long-term cost, even though the upfront material cost is higher than vinyl.
What We Give Up by Not Carrying Other Products
We want to be straight about the trade-off. By only installing Hardie, we can't offer the lowest possible price point that vinyl siding provides, and we can't offer the wood grain look of real cedar for homeowners who want that specific natural material. Some clients want those things, and that's a fair choice — it's just not one we make for them. We'd rather tell a homeowner honestly that we don't install a product than install something we don't stand behind fully.
The Warranty Backs the Decision
James Hardie backs its siding with a strong transferable limited warranty, and the ColorPlus finish carries its own coverage. That warranty structure only means something if installation is done to Hardie's actual specifications — correct fastening patterns, proper clearances above grade and roof lines, correct caulking and flashing details at penetrations. A huge share of siding complaints nationally trace back to installation shortcuts, not the product itself. We install to spec because that's what keeps the warranty valid and keeps the siding performing for decades, not just for the first few winters.
What Correct Installation Involves
- Proper starter strip and clearance above grade, decks, and roofing to keep water from wicking into the board
- Correct nail placement and fastener depth — over-driven or under-driven fasteners are one of the most common causes of early failure
- Rain-screen or drainage plane details appropriate for a wet marine climate like Blaine's
- Sealed and flashed penetrations at windows, doors, and utility penetrations
- Manufacturer-approved caulking and touch-up products, not generic substitutes
Product Lines We Work With
| Line | Common Use |
|---|---|
| HardiePlank Lap Siding | Most common choice, traditional lap look |
| HardieShingle | Cedar shingle appearance without the moisture upkeep |
| HardiePanel | Vertical board-and-batten and modern styling |
| HardieTrim | Fascia, corners, and window trim matched to the siding system |
Between these lines and the ColorPlus palette, most homeowners in Blaine and the surrounding county find a look that fits their home without stepping outside the one product we trust to perform in this climate long-term.
Get an Honest Look at Your Home
If you're weighing siding options for a home in Blaine or elsewhere in Whatcom County, we're happy to walk the exterior with you, point out what your current siding is doing right or wrong, and explain what a Hardie system would look like on your specific house. Reach out for a free, no-pressure estimate using the form below.