Cedral vs James Hardie Plank: An Honest Comparison
Cedral Lap and James Hardie Plank are both fibre cement weatherboards with an A2-s1,d0 fire classification, a factory-applied colour finish and 21 colours. The main differences are board size and weight, texture options, guarantee length and price. Hardie Plank is thinner, lighter and cheaper per board, while Cedral is a thicker board and has a secret-fix option, Cedral Click.
We sell both, so this is a side-by-side comparison using the manufacturers' published figures and our own prices at the time of writing. Neither is the "right" answer for every job.
Cedral vs Hardie Plank at a glance
| Cedral Lap | James Hardie Plank | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Fibre cement (Etex) | Fibre cement (James Hardie) |
| Board size | 3600 x 190 x 10mm | 3600 x 180 x 8mm |
| Weight per board | Approx 11.2kg | Approx 7.4kg |
| Boards per m² | 1.74 | 1.85 (including overlap) |
| Textures | Woodgrain | Cedar and Smooth |
| Colours | 21 | 21 |
| Fire classification | A2-s1,d0 | A2-s1,d0 |
| Guarantee / warranty | 10-year manufacturer guarantee when installed to spec | 15-year warranty |
| Life expectancy | Minimum 50 years | James Hardie states "decades" |
| Fixing | Face fixed, nails or screws, to timber battens or metal frame | Nails or screws to timber or metal battens |
| Secret-fix sister product | Cedral Click (tongue and groove, hidden clips) | Hardie VL Plank (we also stock it) |
| TSO price per board (ex VAT) | £16.29 | From £12.99 |
| Board cost per m² (boards only) | Approx £28.34 ex VAT / £34.02 inc VAT | Approx £24.03 ex VAT / £28.84 inc VAT |
Prices are at the time of writing and change. Per-m² figures are boards only, before waste (allow about 10%), trims, fixings and battens.
Price
On boards alone, Hardie Plank works out cheaper. At 1.85 boards per m² and £12.99 ex VAT per board, Hardie is about £24.03 per m² ex VAT. Cedral Lap, at 1.74 boards per m² and £16.29, is about £28.34 per m² ex VAT. That is a difference of a little over £4 per m² ex VAT on boards.
For a whole job, compare the full list: boards, trims, fixings, closures and waste. Each brand has its own trims, and the trim count depends on your elevations, so the gap can be bigger or smaller once everything is priced. If you want both priced for the same job, send us your plans.
Size, weight and handling
Hardie Plank is 8mm thick and about 7.4kg per board. Cedral Lap is 10mm thick and about 11.2kg per board. The lighter board is easier to carry and lift on scaffold. The thicker board is heavier but gives a slightly deeper profile. Both are 3.6m long, so storage and handling are the same: keep them flat, off the ground, dry and covered, and carry them on edge.
Look and finish
Both give a traditional lapped weatherboard look with a shadow line. Hardie Plank comes in a cedar texture or smooth, so you can choose a smooth lapped board. Cedral Lap is woodgrain only. If you want a smooth, flat-faced look with Cedral, that is Cedral Click, which is tongue and groove rather than lapped and is available smooth in selected colours.
Both brands offer 21 colours, but the palettes are different, so compare actual samples, not names. See our Cedral colour guide for the Cedral range.
Fire performance
Both are classified A2-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1: limited combustibility, very little smoke and no flaming droplets. On fire classification there is nothing between them. As with any cladding, check your project's fire requirements with building control or your architect.
Guarantee and lifespan
James Hardie states a 15-year warranty on Hardie Plank. Cedral comes with a 10-year manufacturer guarantee when installed to Cedral's specification, and Etex gives a minimum life expectancy of 50 years. Read the terms for whichever you choose. Guarantees normally depend on following the manufacturer's installation instructions and using their trims and fixings.
Installation and system
Both are face fixed with nails or screws to battens over a ventilated cavity, so installers used to one will find the other familiar. Use each manufacturer's own trims and fixings and follow their guide. Don't mix Cedral and Hardie components on the same facade. For Cedral, see the Cedral fixing guide (PDF) and our guide to Cedral trims. Cedral Lap boards with matching trims are in Cedral Lap cladding, and Hardie boards and trims are in Hardie Plank cladding.
Which should you choose?
- Hardie Plank makes sense if board price is the deciding factor, you want a lighter board, you prefer a smooth lapped finish, or the longer stated warranty matters to you.
- Cedral Lap makes sense if you prefer its colour palette or thicker board, or you want a matching secret-fix option (Cedral Click) elsewhere on the same project.
- Either will give you an A2-s1,d0 fibre cement facade that doesn't need painting.
Most of the time the decision comes down to colour and budget, which is why we suggest getting samples of both.
FAQs
Is Hardie Plank the same as Cedral?
No. They are made by different manufacturers (James Hardie and Etex). Both are fibre cement weatherboards, but they differ in size, weight, textures, colours and trims.
Which is cheaper, Cedral or Hardie Plank?
At our prices at the time of writing, Hardie Plank boards cost less: about £24 per m² ex VAT against about £28 per m² ex VAT for Cedral Lap, boards only.
Do they have the same fire rating?
Yes. Both are A2-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1.
Can I use Cedral trims with Hardie Plank?
No. Use each manufacturer's own trims and fixings so that the system matches their guidance and guarantee.
Which has the longer guarantee?
Hardie Plank, with a 15-year warranty stated by James Hardie, compared with Cedral's 10-year manufacturer guarantee.
Compare them side by side
Order free Cedral samples (Hardie samples are available in the Hardie Plank collection) and look at both against your house. When you are ready, send your plans through our quote form and we will price your job.