Masonite siding, mostly known as hardboard, was developed as a replacement for wooden and vinyl sidings. It was manufactured from wood chips and resin, which looked like wood.
You will notice that I am using past tense while discussing Masonite siding. Do you know why?
It is because after surviving 20 years and class-action lawsuits, Masonite stopped producing this particular siding. And why is that?
Masonite siding was supposed to lower maintenance and last longer. Sadly, they couldn’t hold up to their promise.
Now, if your house has Masonite siding and you think you have been dealt a bad hand, then I assure you it isn’t. In this article, I will present 3 Masonite siding replacements to keep your house as good as new.
Comparison Factors Between Masonite Siding Replacements
Before diving into the details, let’s take a quick look at the specifics of these 3 sidings.
| Factors | James Hardie Siding | Traditional T1-11 Plywood | Versetta Stone |
| Material | Fiber cement | Plywood, OSB | Cement |
| Style | 3 styles | 2 styles | 2 styles |
| Longevity | Up to 50 years | Up to 20 years | 20 – 75 years |
| Fire Resistance | Yes | No | Yes |
| Price | $1-$6 USD/sqft | $3.50-$7.20 USD/sqft | $17-$20 USD/sqft |
| Maintenance | Zero maintenance | Proper maintenance | Little maintenance |
| Warranty | 30-year limited | 50-year limited | 50-year limited |
Material
First things first, let’s talk about the material.
James Hardie siding is one of the top siding products in the country, and it is made of fiber cement. This assures its durability as well as the warranty.
Now, the Traditional T1-11 Plywood siding comes in two types, Plywood and OSB (oriented strand board). The OSB is the cheaper one, but the Plywood is stronger. Traditional T1-11 Plywood siding provides a more natural grain look.
Versetta Stone is a mortarless, cement-based, artificially manufactured stone with a unique and panelized design. Their siding adds a beautiful traditional stone masonry look to your home.
Winner
Considering the materials used for the manufacturing process, I would say this round goes to the James Hardie siding.
| James Hardie Siding | Price |
 | Check price on eBay |
Style
Since the sidings are made by different companies, obviously, they come in different styles too.
The James Hardie siding has 3 styles. The straight edge panel, staggered edge panel, and scalloped. You can choose among these three according to your taste and the modernism of your house.
The T1-11 siding comes with great aesthetics. They have a smooth finish and a more rustic or rough finish for their sidings. However, if you are thinking of giving your house a natural look, you definitely should go with the rustic finish.
The Versetta stone siding is made in two styles. One is Ledge Stone, and the other is Tight Cut. These sidings are so popular because they require no additional footings support and do not need any painting or coating.
Winner
If we consider the numbers, James Hardie siding takes the lead in styles.
Longevity
What good do the sidings do to you if you need to replace them often, right?
The James Hardie sidings are made of cement and reinforced with sand and cellulose, making them extra durable. They are proven to exceed their 30-year limited warranty. With proper care, James Hardie’s siding can last up to 50 years.
The Traditional T1-11 Plywood siding was designed as an all-wood panel that has been around since 1960. They are durable and can last up to 20 years if maintained properly. However, they still need to get painted every 5-7 years.
Versetta Stone sidings require no coating and can still be of service for up to 75 years. They are made of cement and lightweight aggregate materials, and 50% are recycled components, making Versetta Stone sidings very environment-friendly.
Winner
If we are talking about how long these sidings last, the primary variable of it would be maintenance. But counting the years, Versetta Stone siding is the winner here.
| T1-11 Plywood Lumber | Price |
 | Check price on eBay |
Fire Resistance
The fiber cement of James Hardie siding won’t contribute to a fire because it is not combustible. Just follow the maintenance guide that comes with them, and you should be good to go.
The T1-11 Plywood siding, on the other hand, is not fire-resistant at all. The wood-based boards are most likely to catch on fire if they are installed in an extreme-heat climate.
Versetta stone sidings come with an easy panelized installation system, and they meet the Class A fire rating requirements of the ASTM E 84 – fire spread & smoke test. That is why you can use them for the inside wall of your fireplace.
Winner
As Versetta Stone siding has a fire-resistance certification and is the winner for this round.
Price
The James Hardie board siding costs from $1 to $6 per square foot of component installed on a home. The overall installation and replacement costs for siding replacement on a typical 1,500-square-foot home could range from $1,500 to $9,000 in total.
A square foot of T1-11 Plywood siding costs between $3.50 and $7.20. T-11 siding is commonly sold in sheets measuring 4 feet by 8 feet or 32 square feet.
A square foot of Versetta Stone siding costs between $17 and $20. Each panel measures 8″ x 36″, covers 2 square feet, and is available in bundles of two.
Winner
Comparing the price range and durability of these sidings, it is obvious that James Hardie’s sidings runway far more than the others.
Maintenance
Let’s get into their maintenance system, shall we?
James Hardie sidings have required almost zero maintenance over the years. You can simply take your garden hose and a bristle nylon brush to clean them twice yearly.
There seems to be a misconception that since T1-11 Plywood sidings are made of wood, they eventually fail. But it is not completely true.
T1-11 sidings require the prerequisite wood care products and, of course, TLC. If you use protective finishes on your T1-11 sidings, they tend to go a long way. However, you must also apply a new coat of stain every 3 to 5 years without brushing off the finish.
The Versetta Stone sidings also require maintenance, but not that much. You can regularly check your Versetta Stone for a buildup of excessive dirt and other particles.
Use a soft, nylon-bristled brush and a light detergent or granulated general detergent to remove stubborn buildup. Ensure thoroughly rinse the area with a garden hose after using a detergent.
Winner
This goes without saying that the James Hardie sidings win this round.
| Versetta Stone | Price |
 | Check price on eBay |
Warranty
The most important factor that presides over the final decision to purchase new siding is the warranty.
James Hardie siding comes with a 30-year limited warranty because it is durable and weather-resistant. However, with proper maintenance, James Hardie’s siding has proven to last up to 50 years.
The pressure-treated T1-11 Plywood siding has a 50-year limited warranty against termites and fungus rot. Nevertheless, since they are wood, they tend to fail soon without extreme care and proper maintenance.
On the other hand, the Versetta Stone siding requires no paint, coat, or seal. They also come with a limited 50-year warranty. But the bonus is Versetta Stone siding also provides a one-time transferability.
Winner
Judging by the warranty periods and the longevity, the Versetta Stone siding takes this round.
That’s it. You have successfully managed to review your options for your Masonite Siding replacement.
Now let me show you how you can replace them easily!
How To Replace Your Masonite Siding With James Hardie Siding in 4 Easy Steps
There are four steps involved in replacing your Masonite Siding. Let me take you through them.
Demo
- Remove any freeze board that might be installed over the Masonite Siding.
- Use a pump jack if the wall is higher.
Inspection
- Inspect the sheathing behind the old Masonite Siding for any water leakage or damage.
Wrap
- Wrap the whole wall with nx plus wrap.
- Mark all the studs to see the lines.
- This will later help you to nail and break the studs.
Install
- Measure and cut your James Hardie siding according to your wall.
- Install necessary flashing above windows and baseboards.
- Make sure to leave 6 inches of space on the bottom of your siding.
- Use a pneumatic nail gun to nail the sidings in place carefully.
- Place the nails in every 6-10 inches.
- Stagger the joints between each panel to give it a professional finish.
- Once all the panels are in place, fill any gap between the wall and siding with trim.
- Seal up all the gaps using caulk.
- Clean up the whole area and enjoy the new look of your house.
Bottom Line
Although the hardboard siding industry’s demise has left a sizable gap in the siding market, plenty of practical and appealing alternatives exist.
If you are unsure which replacement to choose for your house, go through the article again, and all your doubts will be cleared.
Happy Decorating!
FAQ
When should I replace Masonite siding?
If you notice any holes, cracks, or missing pieces that indicate that there are issues with the siding, you should get rid of them.
Can you still purchase Masonite siding?
Although most people still refer to it as Masonite, it is still available to this day under the name “hardboard.”
Despite its name, the material has a number of similar issues that frequently require its replacement.
Is there asbestos in Masonite siding?
No. As hardboards are wood or cellulose products, it is unlikely that your “Masonite” type board that was painted over in oil or acrylic includes asbestos.
Do termites eat Masonite siding?
Masonite siding is a material that frequently rots and provides termites with a home.
Within the first 3 years of installation, Masonite’s bottom 3 or 4 boards typically deteriorate.
