Fiber Cement Siding and Sustainability Can Be Compatible

Hardie building products, already known for durability, are manufactured with sustainability as a top priority.

“Durability is sustainability,” says Jill Kolling, chief sustainability officer for James Hardie, a global manufacturer of building products.

Hardie fiber cement products have been well-known for their endurance since they were developed in the 1980s. Today, the company’s robust goals and actions to lower its carbon footprint contribute to its recognition as a 2024 Eco-Leader by Green Builder Media.

Cement and steel are two of the most carbon-intensive building materials in use today, but at the same time, they are both among the strongest products that contribute to resilience and longevity. James Hardie is working to maintain the durability of their products while reducing their carbon footprint.

“Our sustainability strategy starts with our own manufacturing process and systems,” Kolling says. “In line with the Paris Accord, we plan to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 42% by 2030 and send zero manufacturing waste to landfills by 2035.”

More than 80% of the raw materials used by James Hardie are sourced locally, which reduces supply chain risk and the carbon impact of transporting products. 

James Hardie invests in research and development on a roadmap to improve low-carbon technology and reduce emissions. 

“Our goal is to create lower carbon products that offer the same or better durability and resiliency as our current fiber cement products,” Kolling says. 

James Hardie partners with universities and researchers that are developing improvements and alternatives to reduce the environmental impact of fiber cement siding.

“Maybe someday there will be something other than cement that will be as durable,” Kolling says.

In the meantime, Hardie siding acts as a carbon sink when it absorbs and holds carbon emissions from the atmosphere.

James Hardie and EPDs

More than 90% of products by revenue from James Hardie have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Kolling says. EPDs are third-party verified certifications that provide transparency and an easily understood mechanism similar to a nutrition label for products.

“Our EPDs go from cradle to grave—a full lifecycle—so we can understand the environmental impact of our products and use that information to bring down our carbon impact,” Kolling says. “Architects, builders, dealers and homeowners can also use EPDs to compare products and understand their environmental impact.” 

Internal research at James Hardie reveals an increased interest in energy-efficient homes, solar panels, and questions about embodied carbon.

“The younger generation is more environmentally conscious and more likely to demand transparency,” Kolling says. 

Climate Resilience

Another concern people from every generation share is resilience. While resilience can refer to multiple aspects of a home including financial resilience and energy independence, the most common factor consumers consider as part of resilience is a home that will not be damaged in a storm, according to Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data. 

Source: Green Builder Media COGNITION Smart Data

Hardie products are known for their longevity and durability and are built to withstand the harshest weather conditions. The siding, trim, and soffit resist damage from natural disasters including wildfires and floods.

“We formulate products for specific climates with the Hardie Zone System that create a substrate engineered to resist cracking, shrinking, and swelling,” Kolling says.

For example, homeowners, architects, builders, and designers in Texas can choose HZ10 products that are designed to stand up to brutal heat, humidity, and storms. Buyers in Minnesota can choose HZ5 products that are specifically designed to adapt to extreme cold and to withstand frequent freeze/thaw transitions. 

“We’re looking forward to continuing to improve our products with more innovation to reduce our environmental impact,” Kolling says. “We’re especially excited about the concept of regenerative design—thinking from the very beginning about the full lifecycle of a product and how to minimize the impact on landfills.”