What Is Fiber Cement Siding?
Published March 25, 2021
Choosing the right siding for your house is no simple task. You’re looking for a balance between aesthetics and durability.
There are plenty of benefits and downsides when using fiber cement siding. If you’re planning to invest in it, you need to know a few things before making that choice.
What is Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is the only type of cement siding that uses masonry with wooden clapboards, stone, brick, or clapboards. Four ingredients make up fiber cement siding: water, fly ash, wood pulp, and Portland cement.
Pros and Advantages
One of the significant benefits you can have when using fiber cement siding is its versatility in style. You can this type of siding however you wish with whatever aesthetic of your choosing.
This type of siding is also resistant to heat, fire, weather, warping, and rotting. It looks like wood, but it doesn’t have the properties of wood.
It only needs minimal maintenance and is made up of sustainable materials. Because of this, it makes installation quick and easy.
Although it can never compare to the cost-effective vinyl siding, fiber cement siding’s prices fairly compete with other sidings. Clapboards have prices that range from 70 cents to $5.25 per square foot, while shingles have prices from $2 to $8.
Cons and Disadvantages
Fiber cement sidings don’t have many disadvantages, but there are at least two to note.
- Fiber cement sidings can last long. However, their paint does not, which means you need to keep painting to maintain its appearance.
- If you’re doing it DIY, you may be susceptible to molds or even panel damage. Fiber cement sidings are absorptive claddings that absorb water if installed incorrectly. It would be best to leave the installation to professionals.
How Long Does Fiber Cement Siding Last?
Plenty of organizations tested the longevity of fiber cement sidings, and they’ve found remarkable data. They found out that fiber cement sidings last for a hundred years with proper maintenance standing against weather conditions.
What is the Best Brand for Fiber Cement Siding?
When you’re ready to purchase and install fiber cement sidings, you should check out these brands. They are trustworthy for the quality of their products in such a small market.
GAF Weatherside
GAF is known for its roofing supplies and focuses on another perspective for fiber cement sidings. It prioritizes making fiber cement siding shingles under their WeatherSide brand.
They are one-hundred-percent American-made, and you can easily find them in your local Home Depot. Because you can find them at the depot, you don’t need to contact an architect or contractor to get them.
James Hardie: HardiePlank
The HardiePlank is arguably the most dominating brand in fiber cement siding. James Hardie made this dominance possible by producing nothing else but fiber cement siding.
HardiePlank’s fiber cement sidings have a variety of colors that they bake in through-body. Like most fiber cement sidings, you can paint over them with colors of your choice.
Nichiha
This brand is professional and elegant, and we think you haven’t heard of them before. Nichiha quietly produces fiber cement siding for commercial purposes.
They offer large format fiber cement panels and boards to modern residences. You can’t find them in retail stores, so it’s best to contact them through a contractor or an architect.
Hire The Timber Experts For Your Next Project
Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Vintage & Specialty Wood website blog. Her passion for carpentry and wood working coupled with her commitment to fact based blogging has helped her articles help millions of people over the years.
