The Impeckable House, which was intended to demonstrate how wood-look homes and woodpeckers can coexist.
James Hardie Building Products Inc. (James Hardie), a subsidiary of James Hardie Industries plc and the North American pioneer in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions, has unveiled The Impeckable House, a house that can withstand a forest of woodpeckers.
Traditional wood siding on homes has always been a popular target for woodpeckers to destroy, thus homeowners have traditionally considered them pests. The 23 distinct woodpecker species found in the United States contribute to an estimated population of over 70 million woodpeckers in North America, with an estimated 1.4 million woodpeckers in Wisconsin alone*. To assist homeowners in outwitting their most formidable pests, James Hardie constructed The Impeckable House, which was intended to demonstrate how wood-look homes and woodpeckers can coexist. The house and its siding met the ultimate test when they were placed amid Wisconsin’s deep, woodpecker-rich forest.
The Impeckable House was built using Hardie Plank siding and trim. Hardie fiber cement siding, developed by James Hardie, the #1 siding brand in North America**, offers a realistic wood-look with the added durability of Hardie fiber cement for long-lasting beauty.
The Impeckable House remains unharmed after several months, despite being located in a woodpecker-infested woodland during peak mating season, when they are most active. The house will be donated to Gensburg-Markham Prairie, which is part of the broader Indian Boundary Prairies managed by Northeastern Illinois University and The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, and will continue to serve as a haven for woodpecker researchers.
“Homeowners shouldn’t have to choose between beauty and durability,” said James Hardie Building Products Inc.’s president of North America, Sean Gadd. “The Impeckable House proves that with Hardie products, you can create a beautiful home that’s meant to last and holds less appeal to pests like woodpeckers.”
In addition to helping to resist insect damage such as woodpeckers, Hardie fiber cement siding products are noncombustible*** and moisture resistant, which means the siding will not swell, fracture, or warp due to rain, sleet, or snow. All Hardie siding products are Engineered for Climate, ensuring optimal performance in the region where they are utilized. Hardie siding and trim solutions come in a variety of colors and styles, making it a great low-maintenance choice for a wide range of climates and home styles.
For more information about The Impeckable House, go to jameshardie.com/impeckablehouse.
*Partners in Flight Population projections Database, Version 3.1, accessed July 18, 2025, https://pif.birdconservancy.org/.
**Based on Freedonia’s 2022 Global Siding (Cladding) demand projections and James Hardie sales in North America.
***Hardie fiber cement products are noncombustible and/or have a Class A fire rating when tested according to ASTM E84. Fiber cement fire resistance does not include applied paints or coatings, which might be damaged or charred when exposed to flames. Noncombustible siding, when paired with other fire mitigation measures, can effectively harden a home against exterior fires.
