Hardie Plank Options

[Brian in sunny FL]

Just wondering if anyone has any good and less expensive alternates to Hardie plank.  I would start with a detached building that is 14' of block plus roof trusses and is 40' x 50'.  The quote I got for Hardie was about $28K and I figured there may be other alternates out there that are similar in style but less expensive.  Really didn't want wood or stucco and have vinyl now.  I assume there are some wood furring strips already attached to the block for attaching the vinyl.

[rudedan60]

I live in WI near the twin Cities. When, I did my house 22 years ago I used Certainteed Weather Boards. You have to follow the same rules as Hardie board. At the time it was a lot less than Hardie. I now see that Menards has a brand called Allure. A 12" x 12' piece is $20.98.  before the 11% rebate. My buddy who did his block house insulated it with 2" Foam board and furring strips. His only mistake he made was to not use long enough nails to go through the insulation into the firing strips. He needed a 3 1/8" nail. You need to use full round head nails and a air nailer. He used my 2 1/4" nails that went through a 3/4" Sheathing and the weather board into my studs. Get the Gecko Siding spacers and a Fiber Cement Shear and a Clever (No dust for most cuts.
When working with the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS rehabing houses they only use Hardie Board and the pre painted as well.