When deciding between ColorPlus® and primed Hardie® siding, it boils down to personal preference, your budget for the initial siding investment, and the maintenance level you prefer. If there are customized aesthetics you’d like to achieve, and you have distinct taste when it comes to accenting your exterior and its architectural details, primed siding is an awesome choice!
Let’s dive into the details about why primed Hardie siding may just be the perfect solution for your home’s exterior.
Create the Optimal Look for Your Home with Primed Hardie Siding
While Hardie’s ColorPlus siding offers a variety of hues, choosing primed Hardie siding means you’re not limited by anything when it comes to color. So, go ahead—unleash the vision in your heart and apply the color combinations you’ve been dreaming of to your exterior!
Here are some of the reasons you’ll love primed Hardie siding.


1. Perfect if You’re Looking for Readily-Available Siding Installation
Primed Hardie siding is easy to access, so there is no lag time in the equation when you order it. Painting your siding after installation will only take a few days, weather permitting, making your siding installation seamless and simple.
2. The Best—if a Lower Initial Investment Is Important to You
If you need new siding and you’re looking for ways to trim the initial expense of your home upgrade, primed Hardie siding is a great option to consider. It comes at a lower initial cost than ColorPlus siding, making the upfront costs more palatable when residing your home. Although some of the savings may be offset by the need to paint after installation, you can always choose a DIY paint job over professional painting to create even greater savings.
3. Ideal for Historic Home Renovations
While ColorPlus hues are delightful options to consider, if your historic home needs new siding, authenticity and custom color matching are vital—making Hardie’s primed siding an excellent choice for your property. The versatility of color you can apply to primed siding means you can replicate historically accurate hues for a genuine looking result you’re sure to enjoy for years to come.
4. Exceptional for Partial Siding Replacement
If the siding on your chimney or the north side of your home (where siding often wears out first) is in need of replacement, but the rest of your siding is in great shape, primed Hardie siding may be the perfect solution. Why? Because you can color match your paint job perfectly to the rest of your exterior, saving you time and money, and delivering a cohesive look to your property.
5. Excellent for Traditional Style, Craftsman Homes, and More!
Enhance the charm of your Craftsman or Traditional style home with the perfect color. With no limits to the hues you can choose from, primed Hardie siding is an ideal selection when you want to add unique character to your home. Personalize your exterior’s architectural features with pizzazz that sets your house apart from the others.
6. Fabulous if You Want the Durability You Can Trust from Hardie Siding
Primed Hardie siding and trim products are made of the exact same materials as Hardie’s ColorPlus siding. You can expect the same durable, long-lasting, high performance all Hardie products deliver—like pest, weather, and fire resistance—and more. The warranty on Hardie planks, panels, trim, and soffits remains the same—30 years—so you can rest at ease you are covering your home in the outstanding siding Hardie is so well known for.
7. Awesome if You Are Looking for Hardie Siding’s Reputable Low Maintenance
Primed Hardie siding, made of cement, sand, and cellulose, will deliver the low maintenance you expect from its outstanding manufacturer. While ColorPlus siding may not need to be repainted for up to 15 years, and primed siding may need another coat of paint applied sooner than that, once that initial paint job is complete, you’re looking at basically the same maintenance over the years. Hardie lasts up to 50 years when installed properly and maintained throughout its lifespan.
8. Ideal if Using Sustainable Materials on Your Exterior Is Important to You
James Hardie prioritizes responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices. Most of the raw materials for primed Hardie siding and trim are locally sourced, making them greener than other siding material options. The long life Hardie siding is known for contributes to the reduced waste and environmental impact over its lifespan, making it a sustainable selection for eco-conscious homeowners.
Enjoy the Exact Color You’ve Been Dreaming of For Your Exterior
There is no across-the-board answer to the ColorPlus vs. primed Hardie siding decision. While both options share Hardie’s similarities in their makeup, they each also offer their own distinct benefits in their finish.
Primed siding’s versatility and budget-friendly nature works optimally for those willing to put a little elbow grease into painting in exchange for the endless color options primed siding makes possible for your exterior. Your home should be a unique reflection of you—and primed Hardie siding gives you every opportunity to express yourself!
Cover Your Home in the Perfect Custom Color with Beautiful New Hardie Siding—Primed and Ready to Paint
Don’t put your home at risk by overlooking your worn-out siding (which compromises its protective layer and opens the door to costly moisture intrusion!). Get beautiful new primed Hardie siding for your exterior and enjoy elevated style, enhanced protection from weather, pests and fire, and gorgeous, custom color you’ll love coming home to.


At Bluff City Exteriors, we are an Elite Tier Contractor within the James Hardie ALLIANCE, so you can rest at ease that your siding will be installed with precision and you’ll enjoy the decades of high performance it was designed to deliver. We adhere to the manufacturer’s best practices, ensuring your warranty is honored. Learn more about how our siding services can enhance your home’s beauty while protecting it from the elements.


