Replacing siding in Moraga with noncombustible James Hardie fiber cement

Custom Exteriors replaces aging siding on Moraga homes with James Hardie fiber cement, a noncombustible siding that also resists rot, swelling, and pests. Our own full-time crews install it, not subcontractors, and we handle the Town design review and County permit process for you. James Hardie siding carries a 30-year non-prorated product warranty. We have served Moraga and the Lamorinda area from our Pleasanton showroom since 1997, with 30,000+ completed projects.

Why so many Moraga homes need new siding now

Most Moraga homes were built in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and the siding from that era is reaching the end of its life. Moraga incorporated in 1974 when Moraga, Rheem, and Rheem Valley joined into one town, and more than half of its homes were built between 1970 and 1999. The median home dates to 1972.

Homes from this period were often built with siding that does not age well:

Hardboard siding, which absorbs water at cut edges, nail holes, and lower courses, then swells, softens, and flakes.
Plywood panel siding (often called T1-11), which delaminates and rots at the bottom edges and seams once its paint film fails.
Original wood siding and trim, which needs repainting every few years and invites woodpeckers and insects near Moraga's open space and oaks.

If you are repainting more often and patching soft spots between paint jobs, the siding underneath is usually the problem. When we remove it, we inspect the sheathing and repair water damage before the new siding goes on.

Moraga's fire hazard map: what "High" means for your home

Most of Moraga is now mapped as a High or Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone, with some Very High areas. Under the State Fire Marshal's 2025 maps, Moraga has 2,238 acres rated High and 863 rated Moderate. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District adopted the map on May 21, 2025.

This is new for many Moraga homeowners. Earlier state maps only identified Very High areas in local jurisdictions. The 2025 maps added High and Moderate zones, so homes that were previously unrated may now be in a mapped zone.

What a High zone means in practice:

The hazard is real, but lower than Very High. The map rates the expected severity of a wildfire based on terrain, vegetation, and weather. It measures hazard, not your home's individual risk.
Embers are the main threat. In most wildfires, homes ignite from wind-blown embers and nearby burning material, not a wall of flame. Siding, eaves, vents, and the area right around the house are where that happens.
Building standards may apply. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District adopted the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code with local amendments, and the Moraga Town Council ratified it in early 2026. Whether those standards apply to a siding project depends on your zone and scope of work.

Check your address on MOFD's website or the State Fire Marshal's Fire Hazard Severity Zone viewer to see your zone.

How siding materials compare in a fire

James Hardie fiber cement is noncombustible, which sets it apart from the siding most Moraga homes have today. It is classified as noncombustible when tested to ASTM E136 and has a Class A flame spread rating when tested to ASTM E84.

Stucco is also noncombustible, but many Moraga homeowners want to keep a lap, shingle, or board-and-batten look. James Hardie lets you keep that look without a combustible material.

Two more pieces matter as much as the siding itself:

Eaves and soffits. Open eaves trap embers. HardieSoffit panels box them in with the same noncombustible fiber cement.
Trim. Wood trim is still fuel. HardieTrim boards replace it around windows, doors, and corners.

James Hardie siding is a strong step toward a fire-resistant exterior, but no siding is fireproof. Roof, vents, windows, and the 5 feet around your house matter too.

Learn more about James Hardie siding

Siding styles for Moraga homes

Moraga's 1970s through 1990s homes suit several James Hardie profiles, all with the same noncombustible performance.

HardiePlank lap siding is the most common replacement for hardboard lap siding and keeps the same horizontal look.
HardiePanel vertical siding replaces T1-11 plywood panels, or creates a board and batten look for an updated exterior.
HardieShingle siding gives you the cedar shake look on gables and accents without a combustible material.
Hardie Artisan siding has a thicker profile and deeper shadow lines for custom homes.

ColorPlus Technology, James Hardie's factory-baked finish, holds color longer than paint applied on site and is backed by a 15-year limited finish warranty. Our East Bay siding color guide and full-size displays in our Pleasanton showroom help you choose, and bring color samples to design review.

Design review and permits in Moraga

Replacing siding in Moraga usually involves two agencies: the Town for design review, then Contra Costa County for the building permit. Moraga contracts with Contra Costa County for building permits and inspections, but the Town handles planning and design review first.

Town design review. Moraga's municipal code subjects building permit applications in single-family districts to design review. Minor projects are usually reviewed at staff level by the Town's design review administrator. Homes along designated scenic corridors may need review by the Design Review Board.
County building permit. Once the Town signs off, Contra Costa County issues the building permit and inspects the work.
HOA approval. If your neighborhood has an HOA, it may have its own architectural review. Check early.

Custom Exteriors prepares the product specifications, color samples, and drawings these reviews need, and manages the process from application to final inspection.

Replacing siding and windows together

If your windows date to the same era as your siding, replacing both at once usually gives you a better result. With the siding off, we can install new windows using the new construction method, so each opening is fully flashed and sealed. One design review, one permit, one crew.

Ask about tempered glass options if your home is in a mapped fire hazard zone. See our Moraga replacement windows page for the Infinity by Marvin fiberglass windows we install.

Why Moraga homeowners choose Custom Exteriors

Moraga homeowners hire us because they can verify who does the work and who stands behind it.

Full-time employee installers, not subcontractors. The crew that installs your siding works for Custom Exteriors. Here is why that matters.
Local since 1997. We have served Lamorinda and the East Bay from Pleasanton for nearly three decades, with 30,000+ completed projects.
Design review and permits handled. We prepare what the Town and County need and manage both steps.
Lead-safe work. We are EPA Lead-Safe RRP Certified for homes built before 1978.
Third-party recognition and warranty coverage. Diamond Certified and BBB Accredited. See our awards, reviews, and product and labor warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can you replace hardboard or T1-11 siding? A: Yes. Replacing hardboard and T1-11 plywood siding is one of the most common projects we do on 1970s through 1990s homes. HardiePlank lap siding replaces hardboard lap siding, and HardiePanel vertical siding replaces T1-11 panels, both in noncombustible fiber cement that will not swell or rot.

Q: What is the difference between a High and a Very High fire hazard zone? A: Both are State Fire Marshal ratings of expected wildfire severity, based on terrain, vegetation, and weather. Very High is the most severe rating. Most of Moraga is mapped High or Moderate, with some Very High areas, while neighboring Orinda is mostly Very High. Check your address on MOFD's website to see your zone.

Q: Is James Hardie siding fireproof? A: No siding is fireproof, but James Hardie siding is noncombustible. It is classified as noncombustible when tested to ASTM E136 and has a Class A flame spread rating under ASTM E84, so it will not ignite or add fuel to a fire.

Q: Is fiber cement or stucco better for fire resistance? A: Both are noncombustible. The choice usually comes down to look and upkeep. Fiber cement lets you keep a lap, shingle, or board-and-batten look, and James Hardie's ColorPlus finish reduces repainting. Stucco gives a smooth or textured look but can crack and let water in over time.

Q: Do I need design review to replace siding in Moraga? A: It may be required. Moraga's municipal code subjects building permit applications in single-family districts to design review, and minor projects are usually handled at staff level. After the Town signs off, Contra Costa County issues the building permit. Custom Exteriors prepares the materials and manages both steps.

Q: Will fire-resistant siding lower my homeowners insurance? A: We cannot promise that, because insurers set their own pricing and discounts. Ask your insurer which home hardening measures it recognizes. We provide product documentation for the James Hardie siding we install if your insurer asks for it.

Q: How much does James Hardie siding cost in Moraga? A: Cost depends on the size of your home, how much old siding has to come off, how much water damage we find underneath, the profile and finish you choose, and how much trim and soffit is involved. Homes with failed hardboard or T1-11 siding often need more sheathing repair. See our siding pricing guide for the main factors. We provide free, itemized estimates so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Ready to replace the siding on your Moraga home?

Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation. We will look at your current siding, check for damage underneath, walk through profiles, colors, and fire-resistant options, and give you an itemized estimate, with no obligation. Prefer to see the products first? Our Pleasanton showroom has full-size James Hardie displays.

Visit our Pleasanton showroom (2142 Rheem Drive, Suite E, Pleasanton, CA 94588) Phone: (925) 249-2280

Financing options

We offer 18 months with no payments and no interest if the balance is paid in full within the promotional period, or 4.99% financing on approved credit. Ask about options during your consultation.

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Nearby areas we also serve

Custom Exteriors also installs James Hardie siding in Orinda, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Danville, and Alamo. See everything we offer in Moraga, or view our full service area list.