Are James Hardie products 1-hour fire-rated?
We’ve all experienced the devastation of wildfires in Kelowna and through out the Okanagan Valley. Which is why a lot of people are asking more questions before replacing their siding or roofing products. While JamesHardie® products will not ignite when exposed to direct flame or contribute fuel to a fire, heat will transfer through them. Because of this, the product itself is not 1-hour fire rated. Think of JH products as a pan used for cooking. The pan can be directly exposed to a stove’s flame and not burn, yet the food in the pan will cook in time. Having an interior wallboard that resists burning for 1-hour buys time for the homeowner and fire professionals.
Are James Hardie products a masonry product?
The Uniform Building Code defines masonry as a form of construction composed of stone, brick, concrete, gypsum, tile, glass block or other materials laid up unit by unit and set in mortar. Although James Hardie products are installed with nails, like most masonry materials, they are primarily cement with performance characteristics similar to brick, stucco and stone. These characteristics include fire, moisture and insect resistance. Many cities include fiber-cement in their masonry definitions for these very reasons.
Can I receive a discount on home insurance for using JH products?
Because JH products are non-combustible, many insurance companies offer a discount. We recommend sharing the information on this page with your insurance company in the Okanagan if they are not familiar with fiber-cement siding’s fire-resistance.
Are James Hardie products considered a Green Product?
Yes. During a recent installment of the NBC News series “America Goes Green,” fiber cement siding earned prominent mention as a sustainable product being used in “green” homes around the country. The video segment also shows a dramatic thermal imaging comparison between a “green” home (with fiber cement) versus a conventional brick home next door.
Source: NBC News - Click to read more http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18422485/
Courtesy of the James Hardie Site www.jameshardie.com
For more information on these products for Kelowna and the Okanagan please contact Conroy Exteriors at 250 765-9324 or visit our website at www.conroyexteriors.com