The James Hardie Warranty, in Plain English
What’s covered, for how long, and the difference between the manufacturer’s warranty and your installer’s.
There are several warranties, not one
People often say “James Hardie has a 30-year warranty.” That’s true for the siding, but a typical James Hardie exterior is covered by separate warranties for the siding, the trim and the factory finish.
| What | Published coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank, HardiePanel, HardieShingle siding and HardieSoffit (HZ5) | 30-year limited warranty | Non-prorated product coverage |
| HardieTrim boards (HZ5) | 30 years under the HZ5 siding and trim warranty dated February 2024. Earlier trim warranties were 15 years. | Which term applies depends on the warranty in effect when the product was purchased. Confirm with your installer. |
| ColorPlus Technology finish | 15-year limited finish warranty | Covers the factory finish; published terms reduce coverage in later years |
Summary of James Hardie’s published limited warranty documents. Terms, exclusions and regional coverage change. Read the current warranty for your exact products before relying on it.
What “non-prorated” means
With a prorated warranty, the value of your coverage shrinks every year. James Hardie’s siding warranty is described as non-prorated: the product coverage does not step down over the 30-year period. The ColorPlus finish warranty works differently, with coverage that reduces after the first year under the published terms.
Product warranty vs workmanship warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty covers the product. It does not cover installation mistakes. Problems caused by how the siding was installed fall to your installer’s workmanship warranty, so get that in writing with your quote.
What can affect your coverage
- Installation: the warranty assumes the product was installed according to James Hardie’s published installation instructions.
- Claims process: the published warranty requires written notice within a set period after you discover a problem, before permanent repairs.
- Painting ColorPlus: repainting changes who stands behind the finish.
- Region: coverage is tied to where the product is sold and installed.
Hail and severe weather
The HZ5 warranty states that the product resists damage from hail. The same document excludes damage from “acts of God” such as severe weather. In practice, damage from a major hailstorm is usually a matter for your home insurance, not the product warranty.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which exact products and climate formulation (HZ5) are being quoted?
- Will installation follow James Hardie’s current instructions?
- What workmanship warranty do you provide, for how long, in writing?
- Will I receive the warranty documents and proof of purchase?