If you’re getting new siding in Roscoe or Rockford, the choice usually comes down to two products: James Hardie fiber cement or vinyl. Martin Exteriors installs both from our main office at 11704 Main St in Roscoe, and we’re a Certified James Hardie Installer. Here’s how the two compare on a Stateline house, and how to pick.
The short answer
James Hardie fiber cement is the one we lead with. It’s heavier, it holds up better to hail and impact, it’s made to resist freezing temperatures, and it has the deep shadow lines of real wood lap. Vinyl, from Mastic and Norandex, is the lower-cost option. It never needs paint and it’s a good fit for a lot of ranches, split-levels and rentals. Plenty of homeowners use Hardie on the front and vinyl on the sides and back.
How they compare at a glance
| Question | James Hardie fiber cement | Vinyl (Mastic, Norandex) |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Deep shadow lines, reads like painted wood lap | Clean and uniform; thicker premium panels look better than builder grade |
| Hail and impact | Holds up better to hail and the odd stray baseball | Can crack or punch through, more so when it’s cold |
| Cold weather | Made to resist freezing temperatures (HZ5) | Stiffer and more brittle in a hard freeze |
| Heat | Holds its shape through heat and cold; no loose hanging needed | Grows and shrinks, so it must be hung loose to avoid buckling |
| Fire | Non-combustible, per James Hardie | Can warp or melt near a grill or other strong heat |
| Woodpeckers and pests | Holds little appeal for woodpeckers, per James Hardie | Not a food source, but a peck or impact can still crack a panel |
| Finish | ColorPlus finish baked on at the factory | Color runs through the panel, no painting |
| Upkeep | Occasional wash; touch-up on rare chips | Hose it off; nothing to paint |
| Up-front cost | Higher | Lower |
| Warranty | James Hardie’s own product warranty | Manufacturer’s product warranty |
Why we lead with James Hardie in Roscoe
A lot of Roscoe homes still wear the builder-grade vinyl they went up with: thin panels in a few light colors that have faded on the sunny sides and cracked where mowers kicked up rocks. When those homeowners ask what lasts better, the honest answer for most of them is fiber cement.
It handles our weather. James Hardie makes its HZ5 product line for climates with freezing temperatures, snow and ice, which is what we get from Roscoe down to Rockford. Hardie boards don’t stiffen up in January the way vinyl does, so a hailstorm or a stray hockey puck is less likely to leave a cracked panel.
It looks like the real thing. Hardie’s lap, shingle and board-and-batten profiles have deep, crisp shadow lines. On the older farmhouses around Roscoe and the two-stories and bungalows in Rockford’s older neighborhoods, Hardie fits the house where vinyl can look out of place.
The color is built to last. Hardie’s ColorPlus finish is baked on in the factory, not brushed on in the driveway, so the color comes out even and there’s no painting on site.
It gives woodpeckers less reason to come back. James Hardie says its fiber cement holds little appeal for woodpeckers and wood-boring pests. If you’re tired of woodpecker siding damage on the same wall every spring, that matters.
See our James Hardie siding page for profiles and ColorPlus colors.
When vinyl is the right call
Vinyl isn’t a lesser choice. It’s a different one. It costs less up front, it never needs paint, and modern premium panels from Mastic and Norandex are thicker and hold their color better than the builder grade from twenty-some years ago. It’s often the smart pick when:
- Budget comes first and you want the whole house done at once.
- The house is a ranch, split-level or rental where a clean, low-upkeep wall matters more than a wood look.
- You plan to sell in a few years and want the house looking fresh without a big spend.
Insulated vinyl panels are also worth a look on drafty houses or long two-story walls, because they sit flatter on wavy walls. More on our vinyl siding page, and in our post on the reasons homeowners choose vinyl.
Hardie on the front, vinyl on the rest
You don’t have to choose one for the whole house. A lot of Roscoe and Rockford homeowners put James Hardie on the street-facing front, where looks and impact matter most, and matching vinyl on the sides and back to keep the price down. We’ll price it all three ways: all Hardie, all vinyl, and a mix.
Installing in a Stateline winter
We install siding year-round, winter included. Cold changes how each product is handled, not whether it can go on. Vinyl is cut and handled carefully in the cold, with room left for it to grow in summer. Hardie isn’t hung loose for expansion the way vinyl is, and any touch-up waits for a warmer day. Most siding jobs take 1 to 2 days either way. A good installer only opens as much wall as can be wrapped and closed up the same day.
If either one gets damaged
Hail, wind or a woodpecker can damage any siding. When it happens, we replace the damaged boards or sections. We never patch siding damage with filler or sealant, because the board underneath is still broken and water still gets behind it.
A note on James Hardie pricing
James Hardie has announced a price increase that takes effect January 4, 2027. If you sign with us before January, we hold your quoted price. Since we install year-round, the work itself can be scheduled whenever suits you.
Talk to a siding contractor in Roscoe
Martin Exteriors is our family serving your family since 2006. We’re a Certified James Hardie Installer, a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor and a four-time Inc. 5000 company (2021 to 2024), so if your roof is due too, we can plan both together. Financing is available as low as $149/month for qualified buyers; see our financing options.
We’ll bring Hardie and vinyl samples to your house so you can see them in daylight against your roof and trim, then give you a written price. Learn more about our work as a siding contractor in Roscoe or Rockford siding, schedule a free estimate, or call (815) 624-6278. We’re open 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James Hardie siding better than vinyl in Northern Illinois?
For most homes, James Hardie fiber cement holds up better. It’s made to resist freezing temperatures, handles hail and impact better, and James Hardie makes its HZ5 line for freeze-thaw climates like ours. Vinyl costs less up front and never needs paint, so it’s still a good fit for many homes.
Can I use James Hardie on the front of my house and vinyl on the sides?
Yes. A lot of Roscoe and Rockford homeowners put James Hardie on the street-facing front and matching vinyl from Mastic or Norandex on the sides and back. We’ll price it all Hardie, all vinyl and mixed.
Do you install siding in the winter?
Yes. We install siding year-round, winter included. Most siding jobs take 1 to 2 days.
Are James Hardie prices going up?
James Hardie has announced a price increase that takes effect January 4, 2027. If you sign with us before January, we hold your quoted price.
Can you repair a few damaged siding boards instead of replacing the whole wall?
Often, yes. We replace the damaged boards or sections, never patch them with filler or sealant. We’ll check whether your color and profile can still be matched and tell you if a larger section makes more sense.
