Photo Release -- Remodeling Magazine's 2008-09 'Cost vs. Value' Report Bolsters Sales...

Photo Release -- Remodeling Magazine's 2008-09 'Cost vs. Value' Report Bolsters
Sales of James Hardie Siding Products in Today's Tough Resale Market

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Jan. 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In today's challenging
real estate market, James Hardie Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:JHX), the leading
manufacturer of fiber cement building products, is pointing homeowners to a new
study that ranks fiber cement siding as the number one home improvement project
when it comes to delivering the highest return on investment at resale.

A photo accompanying this release is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5805

For the fourth year in a row, Remodeling Magazine's 2008-2009 "Cost vs. Value"
Report, which helps guide home improvement decisions by comparing construction
costs for common remodeling projects with the value they add to a home at resale
in the current real estate market, has ranked fiber cement siding in the top
spot, above popular projects like kitchen and bath remodels. The current report,
which has been published annually since 1988, says that residing with fiber
cement gives a 31% better return than adding a bathroom and costs $61k less to
complete.

"In today's buyers' market, sellers know they have to go the extra mile to
attract buyers, but often times the improvements made don't deliver a higher
sale price and the money put into improvements is lost," said P.J. Rosch, Senior
Product Manager for James Hardie Building Products. "Remodeling Magazine's Cost
vs. Value report is a valuable tool for sellers, as well as for real estate
agents counseling sellers, when it comes to making home improvement decisions
that will both attract buyers and protect the seller's investment."

In other comparisons, the report showed that a minor kitchen remodel gives a 10%
less return on investment than residing with fiber cement, while adding a second
story addition nets a 23% lower return on investment than fiber cement residing.

Fiber cement products were first introduced in the U.S. by James Hardie Building
Products in the early 1990s as a durable, low-maintenance alternative to wood
and vinyl. In addition, fiber cement siding products such as HardiePlank and
HardieTrim with ColorPlus Technology, and the new HardieWrap weather barrier
system protect a home owner's biggest investment. All James Hardie Siding
products are also resistant to fire, wind, impact and flood.

In addition to Remodeling Magazine, James Hardie products have been recognized
by multiple publications as a financially sound investment: Money Magazine
called James Hardie "a smart investment that delivers on durability"; Smart
Money magazine listed James Hardie in its "Smart Fiscal Sense" feature; and
Builder magazine has cited James Hardie as the top quality exterior lap siding
product for the past nine years.

About James Hardie:

James Hardie Building Products Inc. (NYSE:JHX) is committed to helping builders
by providing innovative solutions that can increase the value of a home. As the
world's leading manufacturer of fiber cement building materials, James Hardie
has been manufacturing cement-based building products for more than 100 years.
It introduced fiber cement products to the U.S. in the early 90s as a durable,
low-maintenance alternative to wood and vinyl. Due to their resistance to wind,
fire, impact and flood, James Hardie(r) products have been specified for homes
in hurricane- and wildfire-prone areas throughout the U.S. Currently installed
on over four million homes, James Hardie products have earned a favorable
reputation within the industry and have been specified in some of the country's
most prestigious projects.

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP
PhotoExpress.

-0-
CONTACT: Vertical Marketing Network
Christy Ingle
949-751-9200
Christy.Ingle@verticalmarketing.net