Choosing the right siding for your Portland-area home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re weighing two popular options from James Hardie: HardiePlank® and HardiePanel®. Both are made from durable fiber cement and built to handle the Pacific Northwest’s rainy, fluctuating weather. But while the material is the same, the way each product looks, installs, and performs from a design standpoint can vary dramatically.
At LADA Exteriors, we help homeowners across Portland, Beaverton, and Lake Oswego navigate the pros and cons of different siding profiles so they can make the best choice for their home’s architecture and long-term value. This post will break down the differences between HardiePlank® (horizontal lap siding) and HardiePanel® (vertical siding), explore where each is most commonly used, and show how pairing siding updates with window replacement can take your curb appeal and performance to the next level.
What Is HardiePlank® Lap Siding?
HardiePlank® is one of the most widely used fiber cement siding products in the United States. Installed in long, horizontal strips, it offers the classic “lap” look that most people associate with traditional home siding. HardiePlank® is available in several textures—from smooth to cedar-like grains—and it can be pre-finished with James Hardie’s baked-on ColorPlus® Technology, which offers superior resistance to UV damage, peeling, and chipping.
This siding style is a perfect match for older homes being restored in Portland neighborhoods like Sellwood, Irvington, and Montavilla. It creates clean, timeless lines that pair well with traditional wood trim, decorative corbels, and double-hung windows. Because it’s so versatile, HardiePlank® is also a great option for suburban homes and remodels in Tigard, Hillsboro, and beyond.
Benefits of HardiePlank®
HardiePlank® lap siding offers a classic look that captures the charm of traditional wood siding without the maintenance headaches. It’s specifically engineered to withstand Portland’s wet, unpredictable climate, providing reliable protection from rain, snow, wind, and seasonal fluctuations. Its broad visual appeal makes it a great fit for a range of architectural styles, from historic homes to modern remodels. One of its key advantages is how seamlessly it integrates with other exterior elements, particularly popular vinyl windows and traditional trim packages. Whether you’re renovating to increase your home’s resale value or planning to enjoy it for years to come, HardiePlank® delivers both lasting durability and timeless curb appeal.
What Is HardiePanel® Vertical Siding?
HardiePanel® is the vertical counterpart to HardiePlank®. It’s often used in board-and-batten configurations, where narrow strips of trim (called battens) are installed over the seams to give the wall rhythm and structure. The look is modern, architectural, and fast-growing in popularity throughout Oregon’s custom home market.
Many new builds in areas like Forest Heights and Happy Valley use HardiePanel® to achieve clean vertical lines that emphasize height and structure. It also looks fantastic on farmhouse-style homes, barndominiums, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Combined with black-framed new windows or oversized picture windows, the result is eye-catching and contemporary.
Benefits of HardiePanel®
HardiePanel® vertical siding offers a modern aesthetic that brings bold, clean lines to your home’s exterior, an ideal choice for homeowners looking to make a design statement. It’s particularly well-suited for board-and-batten applications, where vertical batten strips add architectural depth and visual rhythm.
This siding style naturally draws the eye upward, helping low or flat buildings appear taller and more refined. It also pairs beautifully with vertical window styles such as casement or awning units, adding cohesion to contemporary designs. If you’re building a new home or planning a major remodel, vertical siding could be the standout feature you’re looking for, especially when combined with window replacement and modern trim details.
Mixing HardiePlank® and HardiePanel® for Custom Style
One of the best parts of using James Hardie siding is the flexibility to mix and match profiles. Many Portland homeowners are blending horizontal HardiePlank® with vertical HardiePanel® to break up large walls, highlight architectural features, or add contrast to second-story bump-outs. This approach gives the home dimension and a more personalized feel.
When combining profiles, it’s also smart to think about your windows. A well-thought-out design will pair trim and siding lines with window placement to create clean sight lines and prevent awkward transitions. This is especially important when replacing older or undersized windows during your siding project.
Siding + Windows: Why Replacing Both at Once Makes Sense
Many of our clients ask whether they should replace their windows at the same time as their siding, and in most cases, the answer is yes. Coordinating these two upgrades offers both aesthetic and practical advantages. From a performance standpoint, installing windows before siding allows for better sealing around the openings, which enhances weatherproofing and helps protect your home from moisture intrusion. It’s also more efficient, handling both projects at once avoids redundant labor, and eliminates the need to cut into brand-new siding later.
Energy efficiency is another key benefit, as replacing old, drafty windows with modern vinyl windows can significantly lower utility bills. On the design side, doing both at the same time ensures a cohesive look, allowing you to match colors, trim styles, and finishes across the entire exterior. As a full-service exterior remodeling company, LADA Exteriors is equipped to manage both siding and window replacement together, ensuring a seamless result and a smoother project experience.
Choosing What’s Right for Your Home
If you prefer a more timeless look with broader appeal, HardiePlank® is an excellent choice. It’s classic, versatile, and works with nearly every house style in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re looking to break the mold and embrace a fresh, bold aesthetic, HardiePanel® might be the better option, especially when paired with modern new windows and vertical trim details.
Still unsure? Our design consultants can help you visualize both siding profiles on your home using renderings, samples, and photos from real projects around Portland. We’ll walk you through what’s trending, what’s proven to last, and what delivers the best value based on your goals.
Work with Portland’s Trusted Exterior Experts
At LADA Exteriors, we’ve spent over two decades helping homeowners reimagine their exteriors with James Hardie siding and energy-efficient vinyl windows. Whether you’re doing a full remodel or a simple refresh, we’ll guide you every step of the way—from style consultation to final walkthrough. Our team is licensed, insured, and certified as a James Hardie Preferred Remodeler, which means we meet the highest standards of training, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll help you decide whether HardiePlank®, HardiePanel®, or a hybrid approach is the best fit and show you how window replacement can complete your home’s transformation.