When it comes to protecting your home, siding isn’t just about curb appeal — it’s your first line of defense. Here in Colorado, homeowners know that pests can be more than just an occasional nuisance. Termites, carpenter ants, woodpeckers, and rodents all pose a serious threat to the structural integrity of your home’s exterior.
That’s where James Hardie® fiber cement siding sets itself apart.
At Mountain Safe Exteriors, we install James Hardie products not just for their beauty and durability, but for their pest resistance. Unlike traditional wood siding or even some composite materials, fiber cement is engineered to withstand the types of damage that common pests love to dish out.
Here’s a closer look at what kinds of pests James Hardie siding helps prevent — and why it’s a smart choice for protecting your investment.
1. Termites: Tiny Insects, Big Damage
Termites are notorious for silently chewing through wood and compromising the framework of a home. While they typically live underground, they can easily tunnel into traditional wood siding — often going undetected until costly damage has occurred.
Why James Hardie Wins:
Fiber cement siding is not a food source for termites. It contains no cellulose (the part of wood termites eat), so there’s simply nothing for them to feast on. With Hardie siding, you take away the invitation entirely.
2. Carpenter Ants: Destructive Nest Builders
Like termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood — but they burrow into it to build their nests, leaving behind structural weaknesses. If your siding is damp or deteriorating, it becomes an ideal target.
Why James Hardie Wins:
Because it doesn’t absorb water like wood and resists rot, James Hardie siding removes the conditions carpenter ants need to move in. It’s inhospitable to their nesting habits.
3. Woodpeckers: Nature’s Jackhammers
Woodpeckers may look harmless, but they’re one of the few pests that can wreak visible havoc on the outside of a home. Whether they’re drumming, searching for insects, or nesting, woodpeckers can peck large, damaging holes in wood siding.
Why James Hardie Wins:
Fiber cement is too dense for woodpeckers to penetrate. With no insects to attract them and no soft surface to destroy, woodpeckers will move on to easier targets.
4. Rodents: Persistent and Opportunistic
Rats, squirrels, and mice often look for small openings to chew through — especially in deteriorating or poorly maintained siding. Once inside, they can cause widespread interior damage.
Why James Hardie Wins:
The reinforced composition of James Hardie siding makes it virtually impenetrable to rodents. It’s resistant to gnawing and cracking, which helps keep your home sealed tight.
5. Insects and Spiders: Creeping and Crawling
Although most bugs won’t cause direct structural harm, the cracks and gaps in aging wood siding create easy entry points for insects — from ants and beetles to spiders and wasps.
Why James Hardie Wins:
James Hardie siding is designed for a tight, secure fit. With professional installation and proper sealing, it reduces the crevices bugs use to slip in unnoticed. Plus, its moisture resistance helps deter mold and mildew that can attract bugs.
Built to Last — and Built to Defend
James Hardie siding is engineered to handle the unique environmental challenges of every region — including pest pressure. It’s one of the many reasons why it’s backed by a 30-year limited warranty and trusted by millions of homeowners across the country.
For homeowners looking to combine lasting beauty with real-world performance, James Hardie isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a fortress.
Think it’s time to protect your home from pests and weather alike?
Let Mountain Safe Exteriors show you how James Hardie siding can transform your home — and safeguard it for decades to come.
