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Siding Installation for North Carolina Homes
Vinyl, LP SmartSide engineered wood, and James Hardie fiber cement — the three dominant siding materials in North Carolina, all installed by AARC crews across the Triangle and coast.
Vinyl · LP SmartSide · James Hardie
Coastal Specialists
Color Consultations Included
50yr LP SmartSide Warranty
30yr James Hardie Warranty
Free Estimates
Siding Is the Most Visible Square Footage on Your Home
Siding
Your siding is the single largest visible surface on your home — more square footage than your roof, more visual impact than your front door, more weather exposure than any other exterior component. It is also one of the most consequential decisions you will make during a renovation, because the siding you choose will define your home’s curb appeal for the next 25–50 years and affect resale value the whole time.
Above All Roofing & Construction installs the three siding materials that dominate the North Carolina market: vinyl siding (the most affordable, most widely used, zero-maintenance option), LP SmartSide engineered wood (the premium engineered-wood option), and James Hardie fiber cement (the top-tier option with 30+ year warranties and the best weather resistance of any mainstream product).
Each material has specific strengths and ideal use cases. The right choice depends on your budget, aesthetic goals, local climate exposure, and how long you plan to own the home. If you are a coastal homeowner, pay particular attention to fiber cement and engineered wood — both significantly outperform vinyl in hurricane and wind-driven rain conditions.
Three Materials. One Honest Comparison.
Siding Materials
Every siding material has real trade-offs. We explain all three honestly so you can make the right choice for your home, budget, and NC climate — not just the choice that generates the largest invoice.
Vinyl Siding
PVC-based, zero maintenance, moisture-resistant — never needs painting, staining, or sealing. Proven 30+ year service life. Most economical option at $4.50–$8.00/sf installed. Color is through the material so minor scuffs don't show. Wide profile selection: classic lap, Dutch lap, beaded, board-and-batten, shake-look.
Vinyl — Best For
Triangle-region residential where budget is a consideration and zero maintenance is the priority. Investment and rental properties where operational simplicity matters more than premium aesthetics. Not recommended for extreme-wind coastal environments where wind resistance is critical.
LP SmartSide Engineered Wood
Engineered from wood strands bonded with resins and treated with zinc borate for termite and fungal decay resistance. Authentic wood appearance with better durability than traditional wood. Factory-primed and paintable in any color. 50-year limited substrate warranty. $7.00–$12.00/sf installed — the middle-ground option.
LP SmartSide — Best For
Homeowners who want authentic wood aesthetic and better durability than vinyl at a lower cost than fiber cement. Coastal applications and homes in wooded or rural environments. Projects where paintability is important — LP SmartSide can be repainted to change color later in a way that vinyl simply cannot.
James Hardie Fiber Cement
Composite of Portland cement, sand, and cellulose fiber — the most dimensionally stable, weather-resistant mainstream siding available. Will not rot, warp, ignite, or be attacked by termites. Class A fire rating. HZ10 product line engineered specifically for the Southeastern US humid climate. $10.00–$16.00/sf installed — the top-tier option.
James Hardie — Best For
Homeowners who prioritize maximum long-term durability, hurricane wind resistance, fire resistance, and premium aesthetics. Coastal and high-wind environments where vinyl's limitations matter. Long-term hold properties where resale value is a priority. ColorPlus factory finish carries a 15-year fade and chip warranty.
Natural Cedar Siding — Timeless Character, Real Wood
Cedar Siding
Cedar siding is the original premium exterior cladding — used on American homes for centuries because it works. Western red cedar and eastern white cedar are naturally resistant to moisture, insects, and decay without chemical treatment. No other siding material matches cedar’s authentic grain character, warm natural tones, or the way it weathers gracefully over decades.
AARC installs cedar in bevel lap, shiplap, board-and-batten, and shingle profiles. Cedar accepts any stain or paint color and can be refinished to change the look at any point in its service life — a flexibility that composite and fiber cement products simply cannot match. Properly maintained cedar siding carries a service life of 30–40+ years.
The honest trade-off: cedar requires maintenance. Staining or painting every 5–7 years is necessary to protect the wood and maintain appearance. For homeowners who want real wood and are committed to that maintenance cycle, cedar delivers an aesthetic that no manufactured product can replicate.
The AARC Siding Installation Process — Step by Step
Installation Process
From first consultation to final warranty package — every step designed to protect your investment and keep you informed throughout the project.
Free On-Site Consultation
Our sales team visits your home, measures the exterior, discusses your goals, and walks through all three material options with physical samples. Typically 60–90 minutes. No pressure, no obligation.
Material & Color Selection
We bring color samples to your home and place them against your existing trim, roof, and surroundings in natural light. We also provide online visualizer access so you can see different colors applied to a photo of your home before committing.
Written Estimate & Contract
Line-item written estimate specifying material, profile, color, trim detail, accessory selection, and pricing. Contract signing with payment schedule. Every component itemized before you sign anything.
Material Ordering & Scheduling
Materials ordered — typically 1–2 weeks lead time for custom colors. Crew scheduled, start date confirmed. We keep you updated throughout the lead-time period. Window replacement is most efficiently coordinated at this stage if planned within the next few years — one mobilization, one warranty package.
Tear-Off & Preparation
Existing siding removed. Any rot in the sheathing or framing is identified, documented with photos, and repaired before new materials go on. Pre-agreed per-sheet repair pricing means no surprises.
House Wrap & Weather Barrier
Modern house wrap installed beneath the new siding with proper integration at all windows, doors, and penetrations. The weather barrier is as important as the siding itself for long-term moisture management — and it is where most siding failures actually begin.
Siding Installation to Spec
New siding installed per manufacturer specification — proper nailing, proper overlap, proper expansion allowance, proper flashing integration at all windows and doors. Trim boards, corner boards, and accessories coordinated with the main siding.
Caulking, Touch-Up & Final Inspection
All field cuts and trim joints caulked. Touch-up paint applied where needed. Final inspection walk-through with you before sign-off. Magnetic sweep for any dropped nails.
Warranty Package & Closeout
Project closeout package delivered: warranty registration, manufacturer documentation, and AARC workmanship warranty. Everything in writing so you have the documentation you need now and at resale.
How to Choose the Right Siding for Your Home and Climate
Choosing Your Siding
The right siding for your home depends on four things: budget, aesthetic goals, climate exposure, and ownership timeline. We walk you through the comparison honestly — not with a bias toward the highest-margin product. Here is our straight assessment of which situation calls for which material.
For coastal NC homeowners specifically: vinyl siding has real limitations in hurricane and wind-driven rain conditions. Both James Hardie and LP SmartSide significantly outperform vinyl at the transitions and penetrations where wind-driven rain infiltrates. If you are within 50 miles of the coast, we strongly recommend considering fiber cement or engineered wood.
Budget is the top priority
Vinyl — lowest installed cost, zero maintenance, 30yr service life.
Want wood appearance, not wood maintenance
LP SmartSide — authentic wood grain, treated for rot and termites, paintable any color.
Best coastal NC weather performance
James Hardie fiber cement — the preferred coastal spec, 30yr substrate warranty, hurricane rated.
Planning to sell within 5–10 years
James Hardie adds measurable resale value — buyers recognize the brand and associate it with quality.
HOA or historic district color requirements
LP SmartSide and James Hardie are paintable to any exact color. Vinyl is limited to manufacturer-available colors.
Fire-resistant materials required
James Hardie is Class A fire rated — non-combustible, important for some areas and insurance policies.
Investment or rental property
Vinyl — zero maintenance, low operational cost, no repainting required. Maximizes NOI.
Transparent Siding Pricing — Three Materials, Three Price Points
Siding Installation Pricing in NC
Vinyl is the most economical option — typically 50–70% of James Hardie’s installed cost. LP SmartSide falls in the middle. James Hardie fiber cement is the premium specification. All three carry meaningful warranty coverage and look excellent on the right home. We provide firm line-item estimates after inspecting your home and walking through material options.
Typical installed ranges: Vinyl $4.50–$8.00/sf · LP SmartSide $7.00–$12.00/sf · James Hardie $10.00–$16.00/sf · Prices vary by profile, color, trim complexity, and project size · Financing available · Military discounts offered
3
Siding materials we install
50yr
LP SmartSide substrate warranty
30yr
James Hardie substrate warranty
$0
Cost of our consultation
What Every AARC Siding Installation Includes
Warranty Coverage
Manufacturer Material Warranty
Vinyl: 30+ year limited warranty. LP SmartSide: 50-year limited substrate warranty, 5–15 year factory finish warranty. James Hardie: 30-year substrate warranty, 15-year ColorPlus paint warranty. All manufacturer warranties registered and delivered in your project closeout package.
Moisture & Flashing Detail
Every window, door, penetration, and transition is properly flashed and sealed before new siding goes on. This is where most siding failures begin — at the transitions, not on the flat field panels. Proper housewrap integration, head flashing, and sill panning are non-negotiable on every AARC project.
AARC Workmanship Warranty
Every siding installation is backed by our written AARC workmanship warranty covering fastening, overlaps, trim detail, flashing, and caulking. Delivered in writing as part of your project closeout — alongside all manufacturer documentation.
Siding FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full siding installation take?
Most single-family siding installations take 5–10 days depending on home size, material selection, and whether window or door replacement is part of the same project. We provide a firm project timeline at the estimate stage.
Can siding be installed over existing siding?
In most cases we recommend tear-off. Overlaying new siding over existing can trap moisture, hide rot in the sheathing beneath, and void manufacturer warranties. The cost savings of overlay installation rarely justify the long-term trade-offs — and the liabilities if hidden rot is later discovered.
Is James Hardie really worth the premium over vinyl?
For most coastal NC homeowners and for any homeowner who plans to own the home for 10+ years and cares about resale value, yes. Hardie’s 30-year substrate warranty, wind-driven rain resistance, fire rating, and brand recognition at resale are material advantages that vinyl cannot match. For budget-focused inland projects, vinyl is a perfectly excellent choice.
Do you replace windows at the same time as siding?
Yes, and we actively encourage it when both need replacement. Window replacement is significantly easier during a siding project because the trim and flashing detail is already being redone. If you planned to replace windows within the next 5 years, doing it during siding is almost always the most efficient approach.
Can I change my siding color later?
It depends on the material. LP SmartSide and James Hardie are paintable — you can repaint either product to change color at any time. Vinyl siding cannot be reliably painted; if you want a different color, you typically need to replace the siding. This is one of the reasons we recommend paintable products for homeowners who may want future flexibility.
What siding do you recommend for coastal NC?
James Hardie fiber cement is our preferred coastal specification for wind-driven rain resistance, hurricane rating, and long-term durability. LP SmartSide is also a strong coastal option when properly installed and maintained. Vinyl has real limitations at penetrations and transitions in hurricane conditions — lower wind resistance and can lift or tear in extreme events.
Get Started Today
Ready to See Siding Samples on Your Home?
Free consultation. Physical samples placed against your home in natural light. Written estimate across all three material options. No pressure — ever.