Asbestos Siding vs Fiber Cement vs Hardie Board: What You Need to Know

Comparing asbestos, cement fiber, and Hardie board siding with layered siding textures.

Which Is Worse: Asbestos Siding, Fiber Cement, or Hardie Board?

Asbestos vs Modern Siding: Pros, Cons, and Risks

Asbestos siding is dangerous. Fiber cement and Hardie board promise a safer future. But not all replacements are equal. Here’s the real breakdown—safety, cost, and what works when you can’t remove.

ASBESTOS SIDING VS. FIBER CEMENT VS. HARDIE BOARD: THE REAL COMPARISON

Siding Showdown: Asbestos vs Fiber Cement vs Hardie Board

Old vs New: Why This Matters

If you own an older home, there’s a real chance you’ll run into asbestos siding. It was everywhere from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Today, it’s banned or restricted—but not gone.

And if you're renovating or selling, you need to know how it compares to the stuff replacing it: fiber cement siding and brand-name Hardie board.

This is a side-by-side reality check.

What Is Asbestos Siding?

Used: 1920s to late 1980s
Made of: Portland cement + asbestos fibers
Purpose: Cheap, fireproof, rot-resistant exterior cladding

You’ll find it in overlapping shingles, clapboards, or panels. It was sold by companies like Johns Manville, GAF, CertainTeed, and Carey Canada. It was marketed as maintenance-free, and in many ways, it was—until we learned how deadly the fibers are when disturbed.

Typical dimensions:

12" x 24" shingle most common
Often grooved, chalky, and brittle

Risks:

Can release microscopic asbestos fibers when broken, drilled, or sanded
Linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis
Expensive to remove

What Is Fiber Cement Siding?

Used: 1980s to today
Made of: Cement + sand + cellulose fibers
Often branded as: Hardie board (James Hardie), Allura, Nichiha

Fiber cement was created as a modern alternative to wood, vinyl, and asbestos siding. It looks like wood, performs like concrete, and won’t rot or burn easily.

What it offers:

Resistant to moisture, pests, fire
Stable under temperature swings
Available in pre-painted, textured, or smooth finishes

What Is Hardie Board?

Hardie board is the best-known brand of fiber cement siding. It comes in planks, panels, shingles, and vertical options.

Popular types:

HardiePlank Lap Siding (horizontal wood-look boards)
HardiePanel Vertical Siding
HardieShingle (mimics cedar)

Hardie uses proprietary fiber cement mixes and offers ColorPlus technology—factory-baked paint that lasts longer than field-applied paint.

Why it matters: Most people say “Hardie board” when they mean fiber cement. But not all fiber cement is made equal. Cheaper versions may crack or delaminate faster.

What’s the Difference Between Hardie Board and Asbestos Siding?

Real-World Comparison: Pros & Cons

Feature	Asbestos Siding	Fiber Cement Siding	Hardie Board (Brand)
Health Risk	High if disturbed	None	None
Removal Required?	Usually covered, not removed	No	No
Durability	Very high, but brittle	High	Very high
Appearance	Dated, brittle	Clean, customizable	Premium finishes
Paint Requirements	Must repaint often	Needs repaint every 10-15yr	ColorPlus lasts longer
Cost (Install)	$$$ for safe removal	$$	$$+
Resale Value	Often lowers resale	Neutral or positive	Positive impact
Environmental Impact	Toxic waste	Low-medium	Medium (depends on source)

What to Do If You Have Asbestos Siding

You have 3 options:

1. Leave it alone
Safe if intact. Clean gently. Don’t drill, sand, or pressure wash.

2. Cover it
This is what most contractors do. Vinyl or fiber cement goes over it.

3. Remove it professionally
Requires permits. Must follow abatement rules. Expensive, but permanent.

Never DIY asbestos removal. One cracked shingle = thousands of fibers in the air. Fines, lawsuits, and health risks are real.

Installation Differences

Asbestos:

Nailed directly to sheathing or furring strips
Extremely brittle when aged
Usually has metal nails or hooks holding panels

Fiber Cement & Hardie:

Installed with special nails or screws
Needs water-resistant barrier and flashing
Can be cut with specific tools (no silica dust exposure if done right)

Pro Tip: If you’re hiring someone to install Hardie over asbestos, make sure:

They don’t break the old siding
They use furring strips or approved methods
They don’t violate your city’s building codes

Maintenance & Longevity

Asbestos Siding:

Paint peels easily
Cracks from freeze/thaw cycles
Can last 70+ years if untouched

Fiber Cement/Hardie Board:

Lasts 30-50 years with proper care
Wash gently 1x per year
Repaint every 10-15 years (or 20+ with ColorPlus)

Insurance & Legal Impacts

Home insurance:

Some insurers won’t cover homes with visible asbestos
Others will charge more or require proof of encapsulation

Selling a home:

You must disclose known asbestos siding in many regions
Buyers may demand removal or a price cut
Enclosing it with new siding is usually accepted

Permits:

Required for removal in most provinces/states
Fines if dumped or removed illegally

Resale & Home Value

Asbestos siding:

Lowers home value
Flags inspection reports
May scare off buyers

Hardie Board / Fiber Cement:

Signals recent upgrade
Boosts curb appeal
Neutral to positive appraisal impact

What It Took: Contractor’s Notes

"We opened up vinyl siding and found cracked asbestos underneath. We stopped work immediately. Homeowner didn’t know. Had to call in an abatement team. Delayed the project by 4 weeks. Cost her $9,200 more than planned. If we had just installed over it without checking, we’d be liable."

Lesson: Always ask your contractor: What’s behind the siding?

Our Take: What You Should Choose as the Best Solution (and Why)

You Have This Situation	Best Option
Intact asbestos, no plans to sell soon	Leave or cover with vinyl/fiber cement
Damaged asbestos siding	Cover with fiber cement (carefully)
Major reno, resale in mind	Remove + replace with Hardie
Flipping or refinancing soon	Don’t risk red flags—cover or remove

Final Thoughts

Hardie board and fiber cement are the clear winners today. They’re safe, attractive, and reliable. But asbestos isn’t going away overnight. If you have it, don’t panic—plan.

Cover it. Don’t disturb it. And if needed, hire licensed pros to get rid of it the right way.

Your health, resale, and peace of mind depend on it.