Key numbers
45 verified hail storms with stones of 1.75 inches or larger reached Denver County from 1984 to 2026 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 1984 to 2026 | 1980s: 1, 1990s: 4, 2000s: 12, 2010s: 17, 2020s: 11 Source: Storm library: Denver metro hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $2.3 billion insured losses (2017 dollars), May 8, 2017 Source: RMIIA |
| 42% | Fiber cement siding reached a 42% share of new single-family homes started in the Mountain division (which includes Colorado) in 2025, surpassing stucco for the first time since at least 2000. Source: National Association of Home Builders (analysis of Census Survey of Construction), 2025 |
| 18.34 million | 18.34 million occupied U.S. homes were built in the 1970s, the most of any single decade bin in RECS 2020 (20.26 million were built before 1950). Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2020 |
| 5.4% | 5.4% of U.S. households reported open cracks or holes in walls in 2023, versus 6% in 1973. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2023 |
A storm counts when the library lists Denver County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
Integrity Roofing and Painting replaces siding on existing homes across Denver and its suburbs, and James Hardie fiber cement is the siding we mainly install. Each job starts with a full tear-off to the sheathing so we can see and fix what the old siding hid: soft sheathing, missing flashing at windows, and gaps where roof lines meet walls. Then the wall is rebuilt in order: a continuous water-resistive barrier, flashing at every opening, trim, and new siding fastened to the maker’s schedule. We replace siding only; we do not side new homes or additions.
Signs a Denver home is ready for new siding
- Cracks and holes on the storm side after a hail season, especially on vinyl and older hardboard.
- Swelling, softness or mold along bottom courses, under windows and below roof edges.
- Paint that keeps failing on wood siding or trim even with good prep.
- Loose or wavy panels after wind events.
- Rising heating bills and drafts at walls where the old barrier is torn or missing.
A wet wall is a different problem from tired siding. If you see stains inside, read water behind siding first, then check window flashing leaks, because a new skin over a leak only hides it.
Built for the metro’s weather
Denver sits at 5,280 feet with strong sun, freezing nights for much of the year and regular hail. James Hardie sorts its fiber cement into climate lines, and its HZ5 boards are meant for freezing temperatures, extreme seasonal swings, and snow and ice. James Hardie offers a 30-year limited, transferable, non-prorated product warranty on its siding, plus a 15-year limited warranty on its ColorPlus factory finish. Those are the manufacturer’s terms; your contract spells out our own workmanship coverage.
The details are what make it last. Fiber cement needs clearance above roofs, decks, patios and grade, cut edges sealed, and kickout flashing where a roof edge meets a wall. Moisture wicking into board ends and then freezing is the classic Front Range failure. Compare materials in how to choose siding for Colorado, or read about vinyl siding and engineered wood siding if you are weighing them.
Code basics for the wall
The International Residential Code requires a weather-resistant wall that drains water getting past the siding (R703.1), at least one water-resistive barrier layer (R703.2), and flashing at windows, doors and wall-to-roof joints (R703.4). Fiber cement must meet ASTM C1186 (R703.10) and vinyl must be certified to ASTM D3679 (R703.11). Code editions and permit rules differ across Denver, Aurora, Lakewood and the counties; our Denver building code data page covers the city.
Wildfire mapping in the foothill suburbs
The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code applies where a jurisdiction adopts it and the state maps the parcel. On moderate and high parcels it limits exterior walls to noncombustible, fire-retardant-treated wood or ignition-resistant coverings, and vinyl only over a fire-rated wall assembly. Replacing 25 percent or more of the exterior wall area triggers those rules. Fiber cement fits them. See WUI siding, eaves and decks and the wildfire code reroof guide for details.
One contractor for the whole exterior edge
Siding, roofing and gutters meet at the same lines, so we plan them together. Roof work sets the step flashing and kickouts, the siding laps over them, and the gutters go back on last. If windows are due too, Denver window replacement done during the re-side lets the window flashing tie into the new barrier. See Denver roof replacement and hail damage in Denver if the storm hit both.
Get a Denver siding estimate
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred roofing contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Our Denver office is at 13275 E Fremont Pl, Suite 340, Centennial. Call (303) 209-0152 or book a free inspection, and we respond the same business day. Ask about financing for larger projects.
Sources: 2021 IRC Chapter 7, sections R703.1 to R703.11 (UpCodes); James Hardie, HardieZone system and warranty; James Hardie, Frequently Asked Questions; Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code; Fine Homebuilding, Fiber-Cement Siding Problem (2016).
