If you live in a historic home on the Main Line, you know there’s something special about the character and craftsmanship that make these properties stand out. Whether it’s a classic Colonial, a stately Tudor, or a charming Victorian, maintaining that timeless curb appeal is part of what makes owning one so rewarding—and, sometimes, a bit of a challenge.
When it comes time to replace your siding, it’s natural to wonder: How can I protect my home from the elements without compromising its historic charm? That’s where James Hardie siding comes in. With beautiful styles that honor traditional architecture and the durability to stand up to Pennsylvania’s unpredictable weather, it’s a perfect match.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the best James Hardie styles to help your home stay true to its roots—while giving it modern, low-maintenance protection for years to come.
Maintain the Integrity and Beauty of Your Historic Home with Durable, Low-Maintenance Siding
Hardie siding and trim meet the revised federal guidelines for the use of substitute materials in the preservation of historic homes. While resilient fiber cement—made of cement, sand, and cellulose—was engineered to provide a dependable defense against harsh weather elements for new construction and contemporary siding replacement projects, it’s now involved in the rehabilitation of historic homes too!
The Revised Federal Guidelines for Substitute Materials in Historic Home Preservation
Replacement siding breathes new life into historic homes so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. Past federal input encouraged the repairing of historic homes with the types of materials used originally, rather than replacing them with modern materials. But in 2023, there was an update to the National Park Service’s (NPS) Preservation Brief 16: The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors.
This update outlines a shift toward a more flexible approach to the preservation of historic buildings—including homes. It allows new replacement materials as long as they maintain the building’s historic integrity. This change opened the door to Hardie siding’s important role in supporting the work of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which maintains the aesthetic character of historic buildings.
Siding Material That Preserves Your Historic Home
Building and fire codes have changed since historic homes were first constructed, so modern replacement materials are needed to stay in compliance. Newer, more robust materials are often needed for homes to stand up to severe storms and other weather risks. If a fire, flood, or hurricane has damaged the structure, you have even more reason to fortify your house with durable siding—like fiber cement.
Substitutes for a historic home’s original siding outlined in NPS Preservation Brief 16 include fiber cement. Long lasting fiber cement siding (and trim) is the alternate material for a home that had wood as its original siding. Hardie’s aesthetics look like real wood and maintain your historic home’s character with integrity. Its thick profile allows for wood-like texturing that helps the replacement siding look natural and authentic.
Tailored Recommendations That Complement Your Historic Home’s Architecture
Colonial
Hardie® Plank horizontal lap siding is a great choice. This style ensures a traditional look with durability and low maintenance.
Tudor Revival
Hardie siding can be used to replicate conventional materials like stucco or wood, while delivering exceptional fire, pest, and weather resistance, giving you peace of mind as a homeowner. Hardie® Panel vertical siding with a stucco texture can be installed, or Hardie® Shingle siding can be used to recreate the look of cedar shakes.
Dutch Colonial
Hardie Shingle can be used to mimic the look of wood shingles, adding classic texture and charm for a Dutch colonial home.
Victorian
Hardie Plank lap siding is an ideal choice for these historic homes. Hardie Shingle siding is also a popular choice for Victorian homes, as it mimics the appearance of cedar shingles and can be used to accent gables or the whole second story of your home. Hardie® Trim provides an ideal accent to your exterior’s details, which is essential for maintaining a Victorian aesthetic.
Craftsman
Hardie Plank is a popular choice that preserves the classic look of Craftsman homes while providing low maintenance and weather resistance.
Mediterranean
Hardie Plank horizontal siding or Hardie Panel vertical siding in a stucco style are good options as they mimic the look of traditional stucco and are resilient. They preserve your home’s historic character while delivering longevity and simple upkeep.
Ensure a Seamless Blend of Aesthetic Appeal and Long-Term Protection
Siding Styles
- Hardie® Plank lap siding – Original wood clapboard on your historic home can be replaced with hard-wearing horizontal lap siding. This is the most popular Hardie siding style, and it will stay true to your historic home’s wood look while offering you the easy upkeep of durable fiber cement.
- Hardie® Shingle – This gorgeous siding style mimics the appearance of cedar shakes while giving you a low-maintenance siding that resists harsh weather with ease. Hardie’s fiber cement material provides exceptional weather resistance and is less prone to the issues common with wood siding like unsightly warping, damaging cracking, and costly pest infestation.
- Hardie® Artisan – Hardie Artisan delivers a range of textures and styles including V-groove, which allows for flexibility in design and the option to match the specific aesthetic of a historic home. It looks like traditional wood siding with the shadow lines of authentic wood, adding depth and a classic appearance.
Siding Finish and Texture
- ColorPlus® Technology – When covering your gorgeous historic home with new siding, the style and texture are important, and the siding’s finish offers the final touch to your home’s look. While Hardie siding comes in pre-primed boards that you can have painted any color upon their installation, we recommend ColorPlus technology finish. Why? Because it will serve your home so well!
This durable, baked-on color is so strong that it comes with a 15-year warranty against flaking, chipping, and cracking. Its resilient fade resistance ensures your exterior’s color will look vibrant for years to come. Hardie’s Statement Collection™ gives you a carefully curated selection of popular shades in your region. Their Dream Collection™ offers over 700 shades to choose from.
- Select Cedarmill® Texture – Hardie Shingle and Hardie Plank siding come in smooth or textured options. Choosing the textured panels gives you a more authentic look for your historic home. Hardie’s Select Cedarmill strongly resembles cedar clapboards used during the colonial era in New England, making it an ideal choice.
ColorPlus® Suggestions
- Dark Blue – Covering the body of your historic home with Hardie’s gorgeous Deep Ocean siding color will look stunning.
- Crisp White – Creating contrast by adding Hardie’s Arctic White trim to your house delivers eye-catching curb appeal.
- Grays – Gray Slate is a cozy neutral color that provides an air of history and combines well with other gray hues.
- Neutrals – Hardie’s Aged Pewter and Cobble Stone shades are great options for a classic, traditional aesthetic.
Preserve Your Historic Home While Ensuring its Longevity for Generations to Come with James Hardie Siding
If your historic home needs new siding, now is the time to take the first step! After all, worn-out siding makes your home vulnerable to pests, water intrusion, rot, and more. You can bypass the hassle and cost of major repairs by attending to your home’s need for new siding promptly and restoring reliable resilience to its protective layer.
At Porter Family Exteriors, we have renovated thousands of homes in the Philadelphia area since 1976. We offer durable James Hardie siding, giving you peace of mind your home remains beautiful and well protected! We’re a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, so your siding will be installed with precision according to the manufacturer’s high standards. Learn more about how our James Hardie siding services can enhance your historic home’s beauty while maintaining its authenticity.
