James Hardie		Vinyl
Combustibility Non-combustible, will not melt or release toxic fumes, eligible for insurance discounts due to non-combustibility.		Combustibility Melts or burns when exposed to a significant source of heat or flame, releases toxic fumes when burns, not eligible for non-combustibility insurance discounts.
Color Paint in any color of the rainbow whenever desired, excellent color retention lasting many years		Color Color cannot be changed once installed, bland pastel colors recommended to delay fading, vinyl on different sides of the house fade at noticeably different rates, repairs/replacement pieces are obvious, almost impossible to do partial homes because limited color options means often cannot match current color of other sides of the house
Aesthetic Performance Deep, realistic wood grain with less pattern repetition, available in various grain finishes, solid boards are more than five times the thickness of vinyl, increases curb appeal and appreciation, consistent beauty from porch to street		Aesthetic Performance Thin, unnatural imitation wood look, overlapping seams, limited textures, decreases curb appeal and appreciation
Durability Designed to last a lifetime, withstands winds up to 130 MPH, 50-year transferable product warranty		Durability Brittle when cold, vulnerable to impact and/or wind damage, extreme weather causes expansion and/or contraction
Endurance Dimensionally stable, will not sag or lose its shape over time		Endurance Due to thinness of product, vinyl has difficulty maintaining its original shape, may warp or crack over time
Environmental Impact Environmentally neutral		Environmental Impact Fossil fuels required as a component of product
Consumer Perception Premium alternative, high-end, advanced technology, Natural compliment to stone and brick-work		Consumer Perception Research shows that within five years over half of homeowner's with vinyl siding would have considered a different siding method