JHX vs LII Comparison

James Hardie is a manufacturer of fiber cement-based building products, selling primarily to the residential construction industry. North America is the primary geography, generating about 80% of group earnings. Here, it is the largest manufacturer of fiber cement, which is mainly used for exterior siding on houses. Following the Azek acquisition in 2025, it also produces wooden composite decking materials, siding trims, and accessories for outdoor areas including stair and deck railing. Businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, make up the rest of earnings.

Lennox manufactures and distributes heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration products for the North American replacement (75% of sales) and new construction (25% of sales) markets. Residential HVAC (home comfort solutions) accounts for 67% of sales and commercial HVAC (building climate solutions) accounts for the remaining 33% of sales. Lennox's commercial exposure is what its peers refer to as residential and light commercial, and lacks the scale and complexity of what is referred to as an applied solution. The company goes to market with multiple brands, but Lennox is its flagship HVAC brand.