Pump Up Your Siding and Trim with Natural Wood Looks

There’s nothing like natural wood—the authentic feel and the timeless look. It’s one that’s tough to replicate, especially as a home exterior, but James Hardie mastered the look of wood and threw in the strength and durability of fiber cement, too. Schmidt Exteriors can install this and any kind of James Hardie siding for you.

With such a protective, durable and good-looking siding option, it makes sense that HardiePlank® lap siding is the most widely used James Hardie® product on the market. And all of James Hardie’s exterior building materials—including lap siding, straight and staggered edge shingle siding, and vertical panels—are engineered to help withstand the Midwest’s drastic temperatures, resist damage from pests and bugs, and are non-combustible.

If you find yourself seeking some natural wood details, check out these homes that incorporate James Hardie lap siding as the main siding choice paired with natural wood, character-filled front doors.

Crisp with Chestnut

This pristine home is clad in HardiePlank lap siding in clean Arctic White. The chestnut-stained natural door stands out against the white home.

Golden Craftsman

This home is clad in HardiePlank lap siding in Autumn Tan with HardieTrim boards in Arctic White. The red brick stairs and columns feel original to the home, along with the golden oak door—all adding to the character of the Craftsman.

Warm in Walnut

This Craftsman style home is clad in Artisan® lap siding by James Hardie. The entryway feels warm and welcoming with the home’s walnut-hued front door.

For all your James Hardie Siding needs, call Schmidt Exteriors today! We are your local James Hardie siding expert!

 

Home Siding that’s High Quality, Lower Maintenance

James Hardie Siding

James Hardie Siding

There are highs and lows with everything.

Thankfully, with high quality James Hardie exterior you’re getting a combination of good looks, durability and lower maintenance not found in other types of siding and trim.

When it comes time to clad your home, go with hardworking, lasting products that will stand the test of time. You will also need James Hardie certified installer like Schmidt Exteriors.

Here’s a closer look at why this durable siding and trim last for years:

What makes James Hardie building materials high quality?

  • They’re durable. James Hardie’s durable fiber cement formulation is engineered to help withstand rot and damage from insects and pests.
  • They’re fire resistant. In the unfortunate case of a fire, fiber cement siding and trim can help slow down the progress of the flames and help protect the structure of your house (James Hardie siding is rated as an ASTM E136 non-combustible cladding).
  • They’re storm resistant. Whether you’re looking for a siding material that can withstand a blizzard, or one that can fend off a summer heat wave, James Hardie’s fiber cement siding is formulated with your region’s climate in mind.
  • They have distinctive design. James Hardie siding and trim products have the appearance of traditional wood cladding all in a refreshed palette of colors made exclusively to reflect the taste and styles of homeowners.

Why are James Hardie building materials lower maintenance?

  • They’re easy to clean. When it comes to removing dirt and debris from your James Hardie siding and trim, you won’t need a pressure washer. Every 6 to 12 months, get out the garden hose. For stubborn dirt or stains, a mild detergent and a soft brush may be used.
  • It looks newer, longer. James Hardie engineers created ColorPlus® Technology exclusively for its products—it’s a baked-on color process that helps prevent fading, chipping and cracking. That means your home siding and trim will look fresh and bold with less maintenance.

If you want a home exterior that holds its look for years, go with James Hardie’s high quality, lower maintenance products with ColorPlus Technology. It’s an easy choice—let the siding and trim do the hard work.

Call Schmidt Exteriors today for all your James Hardie siding needs.

Gray Siding in Wheaton

Beautiful Mastic Quest Double 4 Siding in Harbor Gray, Wheaton.

For all your Siding Installation needs call Schmidt Exteriors today! We are local and trustworthy siding experts!

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3 Simple Ways to Cozy Up Your Exterior Style

(This home is clad in HardiePlank® lap siding in minty green with HardiePanel® vertical siding and HardieShingle® siding in a creamy neutral. The varieties of siding styles on this quaint, snow-dusted home make it feel cozy and comfortable.)

This home is clad in HardiePlank® lap siding in minty green with HardiePanel® vertical siding and HardieShingle® siding in a creamy neutral. The varieties of siding styles on this quaint, snow-dusted home make it feel cozy and comfortable.

Creating a space that feels both homey and welcoming seems to be a part of the Midwest makeup. A space that breathes comfort and relaxation. A space where you’d love to curl up with a blanket and watch the snow fall. James Hardie® siding and trim can help you create that space and call it your own.

Here are a few homes that inspire complete coziness, and three easy ways to get the relaxed and inviting exterior that many of us crave.

Use warm colors

Colors are critical when creating a sense of coziness, and warm hues are the way to go. This home is clad in HardiePlank lap siding in Countrylane Red with the HardiePanel vertical siding in Monterey Taupe and HardieTrim® boards in Sandstone Beige. The warm red paired with the soft neutrals provides an inviting farmhouse feel.

Colors are critical when creating a sense of coziness, and warm hues are the way to go. This home is clad in HardiePlank lap siding in Countrylane Red with the HardiePanel vertical siding in Monterey Taupe and HardieTrim® boards in Sandstone Beige. The warm red paired with the soft neutrals provides an inviting farmhouse feel.

Create an inviting space

As you design your outdoor areas, try to create spaces that exude informal tranquility, too. This home is clad in HardiePlank lap siding in Timber Bark, and makes an ideal backdrop for this cozy porch space. The comfy furniture, the reading material, a warm cup of coffee, a fireplace and greenery—all ways to make a space feel friendly.

As you design your outdoor areas, try to create spaces that exude informal tranquility, too. This home is clad in HardiePlank lap siding in Timber Bark, and makes an ideal backdrop for this cozy porch space. The comfy furniture, the reading material, a warm cup of coffee, a fireplace and greenery—all ways to make a space feel friendly.

Think about your view

James Hardie Siding

This charming home is clad in HardiePanel vertical siding in a creamy neutral with an outdoor dining area that looks out on tall trees and lake views—a dreamy and captivating backdrop.

Call us today for all your James Hardie Siding needs!

We are James Hardie Certified Contractor with over 40 years of experience.

Pella Entry Doors Installation in St Charles

Door Replacement Project in St Charles, IL.
Pella Front Entry System Installation.

Call Schmidt Exteriors today for all your Door and Windows Replacement Projects!

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Siding Replacement Batavia, IL

Beautiful siding replacement work by Schmidt Exteriors in Batavia, IL.

LP Diamond Kote Siding, Overhang Rebuild and Front Stoop Addition.

We are Batavia, IL based trustworthy siding company with lots of experience. Call us today!

Batavia Il Siding Replacement

Batavia Il Siding Replacement

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James Hardie Siding Wheaton

Another great work by Schmidt Exteriors.

Check out those beautiful Country Farm Townhouses in Wheaton, IL.

Products used are LP Smartside Lap Siding, and James Hardie Shake.

For all your James Hardie Siding needs, call Schmidt Exteriors today!

James Hardie Siding Wheaton

James Hardie Siding Wheaton

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Give Your Exterior a Makeover with Schmidt Exteriors

There’s nothing like aged, rickety home siding getting a makeover. A simple siding update on drab-colored siding can make a home feel cleaner, brighter and even larger. Check out this James Hardie re-sided home exterior with ColorPlus® Technology, giving this home a refreshed face lift.

 

Before and AfterAged PewterHardiePlankChicagoR&R

Before and AfterAged PewterHardiePlankChicagoR&R

These Chicago homeowners swapped their worn-wood siding for HardiePlank® lap siding and straight edge HardieShingle® siding in Aged Pewter with HardieTrim® boards in Arctic White. The main body gray color is a stylish hue, lighter than the popular Iron Gray, and stays close to the home’s former gray color, while adding the benefits of durability.

If you would like to achieve similar look, give Schmidt Exteriors a call today! We are Chicago area James Hardie siding expert!

The home still has the classic colonial look, but now with way more protection, which is especially important with Midwest winds and freezing temperatures. James Hardie® siding products are specifically engineered to help resist wet or freezing conditions and will hold their own, come rain, sleet, or snow. And with ColorPlus Technology—a baked-on color option that resists fading—your siding color will stay vibrant longer with less maintenance.

Make your home have “after” status with James Hardie siding and trim.

James Hardie ColorPlus products not only offer durability and lower maintenance, but they create a striking exterior that enhances curb appeal.

No matter what your design preference, James Hardie products with ColorPlus Technology give you the ability to completely transform your home and there is no better James Hardie siding contractor than Schmidt Exteriors.

Naperville James Harding Siding and Polaris Windows Replacement

Miguel and Betsy Santana of Naperville

James Hardie siding and trim

Polaris Ultra Weld windows.

santana-hardie-siding-2014-front-porch

Warmth, comfort, Class. Come join us for an beverage.

Naperville James Hardie Siding and Windows replacement

Miguel worked very hard on the detail of this porch rebuild. The columns are awesome.

Naperville James Harding Siding

The Santana’s really hit the home run with their choice of James Hardie lap siding and shake.

Pella Entry Doors i Naperville

Class and Elegance. This Pella entry door defines it.

Naperville James Harding Siding

The Pride of home ownership.

How to size exterior shutters

Shawn,  “I WAS WONDERING IF MY SHUTTERS ARE THE CORRECT SIZE.  I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD BE LONGER”

Mike’s response:

The classic shutter look is to generally look like it fits inside the window trim, not from the top of the trim to the bottom of the sill.

This is from the days when shutters actually functioned as a window covering.

In early days, shutters had to swing inside the trim.

This look has continued on to this day.

Standard pre-made vinyl or poly-styrene shutters are made in 4” increments.

This allows a cost effective way to achieve the look.

Shutters are applied to the house with screws.

Shutters will not swing in.

Custom sized shutters and historical hardware can be ordered at additional cost.