Woodpecker Damage to a Minnesota Home Solved by James Hardie Siding

by Kara Wenman
9/16/2019

For months, homeowners Michael and Kimberly Kaul of Stillwater, Minnesota were woken nearly every morning by a woodpecker jackhammering through their chimney. In addition to the intense noise, the pest created a softball-sized hole in their home. Desperate for help, the Kauls reached out to local contractors in hopes of finding a solution, along with some peace and quiet.

“When I first arrived, I was faced with the dilemma of what to replace it with, and we ended up using a hardboard siding that was a wood composite,” said Tommy Parent, exterior sales manager at JG Hause. 

The woodpeckers made it immediately clear to the contractor and homeowners that they wouldn’t be deterred by the new siding. “The first day it was put up, the woodpeckers had already chewed through it,” said Parent. The Kauls began to worry they would have a recurring problem. 

Finding a Solution that Works

The Kauls had Parent remove the wood composite siding and start from square one. At the same time, they carefully considered what material to trust to do the job and they ultimately chose James Hardie® fiber cement siding.

“I did have reservations that nothing was going to hold up, because it seemed like everything on this chimney this woodpecker was going through, and the minute James Hardie was installed, this woodpecker has been obsolete,” Parent said. 

“I haven’t heard any woodpeckers for weeks, maybe even months, since we had it done,” said Kimberly Kaul. 

James Hardie Siding Resists Woodpecker Damage

James Hardie siding is constructed with materials that can achieve the look of wood without the susceptibility to damage from pests.  It holds no appeal for woodpeckers, termites, and other pests. 

The fiber cement siding may not be attractive to woodpeckers, but the results certainly appealed to the Kauls.  “It’s just a relief to have it done,” said Kimberly Kaul. “It’s your home, and you want to feel protected.”

The project left the Kauls pleased with the appearance of their home and confident that their new siding would stand up to woodpeckers in the area.