Pre primed vs. Pre painted – A Comparison
Choosing between ColorPlus and Primed Siding by James Hardie
Pre painted items offer a more uniform finish, a brighter appearance, and a longer life.
James Hardie® is so confident in the durability of their pre primed and pre painted products that they back them up with a 15-year guarantee.
Pre painted James Hardie® vs. Pre primed
1. Color Schemes
Seven colors are offered for panel and batten boards (all the five soffit and trim colors above plus Navajo beige, evening blue, and light mist colors). Pre painted planks are available in the same seven colors as panel and batten boards, as well as eight additional shades: Pearly Gray, Boothbay Blue, Gray Slate, Aged Pewter, Evening Blue, Iron Gray, Night Gray, and Mountain Sage.
If you want pre painted James Hardie® items in a single hue for your house, you must choose one of the five colors (Arctic White, Khaki Brown, Cobblestone, Timber Bark, and Monterey Taupe). Alternatively, you may mix and match colors according to availability.
Alternatively, you may select pre primed siding and customize the color of your siding, trim, soffit, and other exterior surfaces by having them painted on-site.
2. Configure the Finish Expectation
During the installation procedure, the various contact areas of the planks might leave dirt and stains on the final boards. This might be an issue with brightly colored pre painted objects (such as artic white).
This is not an issue with pre primed items. The finish is superior since painting occurs at the conclusion. While James Hardie® includes a touch-up kit with all pre painted products, touching up has several drawbacks.
For instance, a part of a plank that has been touched up may fade with time. Typically, the fading is inconsistent with the remainder of the plank’s hue, resulting in an uneven appearance. Factory-supplied touch-up paint fades in a unique manner. Pre primed items outperform unprimed ones in this aspect.
Additionally, pre primed materials are superior in terms of joint care. James Hardie® offers boards measuring 12 feet in length. Two boards linked together to create a butt joint are required for a 20-foot wall, but the planks do not include a butt joint sealer.
Pre primed planks offer an alternative to pronounced seams, since they may be treated with a paintable sealer and then painted with a new coat of paint to create a seamless look.
However, you may see caulked butt joints in the future due to caulking’s inherent shrinkage and cracking over time.
3. Product Dimensions and Sizing
Pre painted boards also have a restricted range of designs. While the finish is designed to resist fading and stick firmly for years regardless of the climate/weather, it is now only available in wood grain. Pre primed planks are ideal for homeowners seeking smooth textures or a contemporary farmhouse look.
What’s the difference between pre painted and pre primed James Hardie® products?
However, it’s wise to comprehend their distinct advantages and disadvantages, as well as what works best for you.
When working with a seasoned James Hardie® authorized contractor such as KV construction LLC, you can depend on decades of skilled advise when deciding between pre primed and pre painted James Hardie’s products in Seattle, Washington and across the Pacific Northwest Puget Sound region. Contact us for your free consultation.