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Siding & Exteriors

Siding that survives thirty Illinois winters.

James Hardie fiber cement, LP SmartSide engineered wood, premium vinyl. Full tear-off, rainscreen detail at every penetration, and the flashing work that keeps moisture out of the wall cavity — where the expensive failures happen.

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The real problem

Siding isn't about looks. It's about the wall behind it.

Most siding failures in the Chicago metro aren't the siding itself. They're the house wrap, the flashing tape, the window pan flashing, and the kick-out at the roof-wall intersection. A beautiful Hardie install over bad flashing will rot the OSB in under a decade.

We install the full wall system — not just the panel. Drainage plane, rainscreen furring where specified, fluid-applied flashing at every opening. The siding is the last layer.

Full tear-off to sheathing — no overlay work
Tyvek or Vaproshield weather-resistive barrier, taped seams
ZIP tape flashing at windows, doors, penetrations
Kick-out flashing at every roof-wall intersection
Rainscreen furring strips on Hardie installs where warranted
Factory-primed, factory-painted — no field-paint warranties

Products we install

Three siding systems.

Fiber cement for premium, engineered wood for value, vinyl for budget — and we'll tell you which one fits the house before we quote it.

Fiber Cement · Flagship

James Hardie ColorPlus

Factory-baked ColorPlus finish, 30-year limited warranty, 15-year paint. HZ5 formulation engineered for Midwest freeze-thaw.

Engineered Wood

LP SmartSide

SmartGuard zinc borate-treated engineered wood. 5/50 warranty (5-year labor, 50-year substrate). Handles hail better than fiber cement.

Vinyl · Premium

CertainTeed Cedar Impressions

Thick-profile polymer shake and shingle. Lifetime transferable warranty. 240-mph wind rating on qualifying installs.

Weather Barrier

Tyvek HomeWrap or ZIP System

Continuous drainage plane with taped seams. Integrated window pan flashings. The invisible layer that makes the visible one last.

Trim & Fascia

Hardie Trim / Azek PVC

Cellular PVC trim at grade-level and high-moisture locations. Hardie trim elsewhere. No wood trim below the soffit line.

Color Matching

On-site color consult

Large 4×4 ft sample boards delivered to the house before material order. Colors read differently in Chicago overcast vs. North Shore sun.

Process

Two-week installs on most homes.

On-site estimate

Measure, wall-condition inspection, color consult, line-item quote.

Tear-off

Old siding removed, sheathing inspected, rotten board replaced, WRB installed.

Install

Course-by-course with factory-spec fastener schedule. Trim, corners, J-channel to match.

Final caulk & walk

Color-matched sealant at transitions. Magnetic sweep, property walk, warranty registered.

FAQ

Siding questions.

How much does siding cost in Chicago?

James Hardie on a 2,000 sq ft home runs roughly $22,000–$38,000 depending on trim complexity, tear-off, and color. LP SmartSide is about 15–25% less. Vinyl is the budget tier. Always quoted after an on-site measure.

Is James Hardie or LP SmartSide better?

Different tradeoffs. Hardie is heavier, non-combustible, and holds paint longer. LP SmartSide is lighter, handles hail impact better, and is easier to install on older homes with uneven framing. Both are excellent.

Do I need to tear off the old siding?

Almost always yes. Installing over existing siding traps moisture, prevents flashing integration, and voids manufacturer warranties on both products. We price tear-off into every quote.

Can you match paint color to my windows or trim?

Yes. James Hardie offers 20+ ColorPlus shades with matching trim. Custom field-paint is possible but voids the ColorPlus 15-year paint warranty.

How long does siding last in Illinois weather?

Properly installed fiber cement lasts 40+ years. LP SmartSide 30+. Quality vinyl 25–30. The install quality matters more than the product category — bad flashing kills any siding.