James Hardie Preferred Remodeler
LP SmartSide Preferred Installer
380+ Google Reviews at 4.6 Stars
21 Years in McHenry County
Upgrade Your Old Aluminum Siding to James Hardie, LP SmartSide, or Premium Vinyl
Thousands of homes in McHenry County built in the 1970s through the 1990s still have their original aluminum siding. It was the standard back then. But after 30–50 years of Illinois weather, that outdated aluminum is dented from hail, faded from UV exposure, chalking to the touch, and rattling in every windstorm. It conducts cold directly through your walls, which means you’re paying to heat the outside every winter. If your home still has old aluminum siding, it’s time for a conversion that actually performs.
IHC installs three siding replacement options that are all a massive improvement over aluminum. James Hardie fiber cement — we’re the only James Hardie Preferred Remodeler in McHenry County, which means our crews are factory-trained and every installation meets Hardie’s warranty standards. LP SmartSide engineered wood — we’re a certified LP SmartSide Preferred Installer, with 200 mph wind-rated panels and real cedar grain texture. And premium vinyl for homeowners who want a lower price point with modern insulated options and lifetime fade warranties.
We’ve been replacing aluminum siding across Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin, Woodstock, and the rest of McHenry County for 21 years. We know what’s hiding behind those old panels — deteriorated sheathing, moisture damage, missing house wrap — and we fix it before the new siding goes on. That’s the difference between a siding company and a company that actually understands building science.
✓ Dual Certified — James Hardie Preferred Remodeler + LP SmartSide Preferred Installer. The only contractor in McHenry County with both. See all certifications →
Four Reasons Aluminum Siding Fails in McHenry County
Aluminum was fine in 1980. It’s not fine anymore. Here’s why every aluminum-sided home in McHenry County is overdue for an upgrade.
Dents from Hail
Aluminum dents permanently from hail impact. There’s no repair — every dented panel has to be swapped out. McHenry County averages nearly 2 hail days per year, and every event adds more damage. After a few decades, your siding looks like a golf ball. If you’ve already filed a hail damage insurance claim, your siding should be part of that scope.
Fades and Chalks from UV
That white powder on your hands when you touch the siding? That’s the paint breaking down from UV exposure. After 20–30 years of sun, aluminum siding looks washed out and chalky. Painting it is a temporary fix that peels within a few years.
Zero Insulation Value
Aluminum is a metal. Metal conducts temperature. Your old aluminum siding is literally conducting cold directly through your walls every winter and heat directly in every summer. It has zero R-value. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends exterior insulation in climate zone 5 (that’s us) — modern siding options with foam backing add meaningful insulation your home has been missing for decades.
Rattles and Bangs in Wind
If you hear your siding banging during every thunderstorm, that’s aluminum doing what aluminum does. The panels expand and contract with temperature swings, fasteners loosen over the years, and wind gets underneath. We hear this complaint from homeowners in Huntley, Crystal Lake, and McHenry all the time. Modern siding systems lock together and stay quiet.
Three Aluminum Siding Upgrade Options — All Better Than What You Have
All three options blow aluminum away on durability, looks, energy performance, and weather resistance. Here’s what the conversion looks like at each price point.
James Hardie Fiber Cement
$12–$16/sqft installed. The gold standard for siding replacement in Illinois. HZ5 climate-specific formula engineered for freeze-thaw cycles. ColorPlus factory-applied finish with a 15-year color warranty. 30-year substrate warranty. Won’t dent from hail, won’t melt near grills, won’t fade like your old aluminum. IHC is the only James Hardie Preferred Remodeler in McHenry County — that certification matters because it’s what activates the full warranty.
LP SmartSide Engineered Wood
$12–$16/sqft installed. Engineered wood with LP’s SmartGuard process for rot, termite, and fungal resistance. TrueTexture cedar grain looks and feels like real wood — a night-and-day difference from flat aluminum panels. 5/50 warranty (5-year labor, 50-year substrate). Rated to 200 mph winds. IHC is a certified LP SmartSide Preferred Installer.
Premium Vinyl
$8–$10/sqft installed. Modern premium vinyl is not the thin, wavy stuff from the 1990s. Today’s panels are thicker, with deeper profiles and realistic wood-grain textures. Lifetime fade warranty options available. Insulated versions add R-value and eliminate the rattling you get with aluminum. A solid pick if you want a big upgrade without the fiber cement price tag.
How We Handle Your Aluminum-to-Hardie (or SmartSide or Vinyl) Conversion
Here’s what happens when we replace your aluminum siding, step by step. No surprises.
Free Estimate with Material Samples
We come to your home with actual material samples — James Hardie, LP SmartSide, and premium vinyl — so you can see and touch the options. We measure your home, discuss your goals, and provide a detailed written estimate with no pressure. Schedule yours here or call or text us at (815) 356-9020.
Complete Removal of Old Aluminum
We strip every panel of old aluminum siding from your home. The aluminum gets responsibly recycled — not thrown in a dumpster. This is the step most homeowners don’t think about, but it’s critical to see what’s underneath.
Inspect and Repair Sheathing
Once the aluminum is off, we inspect every square foot of sheathing underneath. After 30–50 years, we commonly find moisture damage, deteriorated OSB or plywood, missing house wrap, and gaps that have been leaking air for decades. We repair or replace everything before the new siding goes on. This is where our 21 years of experience really pays off — newer companies don’t always know what to look for behind old aluminum panels.
Install New Siding to Manufacturer Standards
Your new siding goes on to manufacturer certification standards. For James Hardie, that means Preferred Remodeler installation specs. For LP SmartSide, Preferred Installer specs. For vinyl, manufacturer-specific nailing patterns and clearances. Certified installation is what activates your full warranty. While we’re at it, we can also address your gutters, windows, and trim so everything matches and seals properly.
Ready to Get Rid of That Aluminum Siding?
Free estimate with material samples brought to your home. No pressure, no storm chasers — just 21 years of siding experience.
Call or Text (815) 356-9020
Get a Free Estimate
James Hardie Preferred • LP SmartSide Preferred • Women-led • 21 years in McHenry County
Aluminum Siding Replacement FAQs for Crystal Lake & McHenry County
Can you replace aluminum siding with James Hardie fiber cement?
Absolutely. IHC is the only James Hardie Preferred Remodeler in McHenry County, which means our crews are factory-trained on Hardie installation methods. We completely strip the old aluminum, inspect and repair the sheathing underneath, and install James Hardie HZ5 fiber cement siding to Preferred Remodeler specifications. That’s what activates the full 30-year warranty. Installed cost runs $12–$16 per square foot depending on the profile and color selection.
What’s the best siding upgrade for older homes in Crystal Lake?
It depends on your budget and goals. James Hardie fiber cement ($12–$16/sqft) is the premium choice — it handles McHenry County’s freeze-thaw cycles better than any other siding material, and the ColorPlus factory finish holds its color for 15+ years. LP SmartSide ($12–$16/sqft) gives you the look and feel of real cedar without the maintenance. Premium vinyl ($8–$10/sqft) is a solid option if you want a major upgrade at a lower price point. All three are dramatically better than the original aluminum. We also offer financing through GreenSky to make the project more manageable.
How much does it cost to replace aluminum siding in McHenry County?
It depends on which material you pick and how big your home is. James Hardie fiber cement runs $12–$16 per square foot installed. LP SmartSide engineered wood is also $12–$16 per square foot installed. Premium vinyl starts at $8–$10 per square foot installed. That includes ripping off all the old aluminum, inspecting and repairing your sheathing, and certified installation of the new siding. We provide a detailed written estimate after measuring your home — no ballpark numbers. If your aluminum was damaged by hail, insurance claim assistance may cover part or all of the swap.
What happens to the sheathing under old aluminum siding?
After 30–50 years behind aluminum siding, we commonly find moisture damage, soft or deteriorated OSB and plywood, missing or torn house wrap, and gaps where air has been leaking for decades. Some homes — especially 1970s-era builds in the Edgebrook and Lakewood neighborhoods — have no house wrap at all. The aluminum was nailed directly to bare sheathing. IHC inspects every square foot once the old siding is removed and repairs or replaces damaged sheathing before any new siding goes on. Skipping this step is the biggest mistake a siding contractor can make.
Explore All IHC Siding Options
James Hardie Siding
The #1 brand of fiber cement siding in North America. HZ5 climate-specific formula, ColorPlus factory finish, 30-year warranty. IHC is the only Preferred Remodeler in McHenry County. If you’re upgrading from aluminum to Hardie, this is the page to read.
LP SmartSide
Engineered wood with SmartGuard protection. TrueTexture cedar grain, 200 mph wind rating, 5/50 warranty. IHC is a certified Preferred Installer.
Vinyl Siding
Premium and insulated vinyl options with lifetime fade warranties. A big step up from aluminum without the fiber cement or engineered wood price tag.
Still Living with Aluminum Siding?
It’s time to swap it out for something that looks better, performs better, and actually keeps heat inside your house. Free estimate with material samples brought to your door. Financing available through GreenSky.
James Hardie Preferred • LP SmartSide Preferred • Women-led • Financing available
Innovative Home Concepts, Inc.
4410 IL-176, Ste 1
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: (815) 356-9020
Email: info@innovativehomeconcepts.com
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
James Hardie Preferred Remodeler
LP SmartSide Preferred Installer
CertainTeed ShingleMaster
Best of Fox since 2011
