Everything You Need to Know About Fiber Cement Siding
Most people don’t recognize fiber cement siding when they see it, and that’s a good thing! Fiber cement is a highly versatile siding material that’s been manufactured to look like wood grain or another type of siding. The beauty of fiber cement is that it looks almost completely indiscernible from other types of siding it’s meant to resemble with one exception: It’s far more durable!
At Powers Premier Contracting in Minnesota, we’re a Twin Cities siding installation contractor with a wide range of home exterior solutions for your home. In this post, we’re breaking down the basics of fiber cement siding. To learn more about new siding installation for our Twin Cities home, give us a call!
Choosing the Right Siding
When you’re ready to replace your old siding, you’ve got plenty of great choices. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to maintain. Steel siding is powerful and longer-lasting than any other siding on the market. Fiber cement offers the best of both worlds, serving as a cost-effective middle ground between steel and vinyl siding.
Here are a few reasons to love fiber cement siding:
● Excellent ROI
● Low maintenance
● Fire-resistance
● Durability
Introducing Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is a type of siding material that’s suitable for both residential and commercial applications. This durable material is a composite that’s manufactured using cement and cellulose fibers.
The complete composition of fiber cement typically includes only four ingredients:
● Wood pulp to improve resilience and flexibility
● Water to activate the cement
● Filler such as fly ash or silica sand
● Cement made from iron, clay, and limestone to bind the ingredients
This composition results in a material that offers the same level of durability as masonry. Fiber cement siding is extremely low-maintenance. It won’t rot or mildew because the material doesn’t alter with moisture. It’s termite-resistant because there’s nothing for insects to eat. Fiber cement is even resistant to fires in much the same way that bricks are and is not affected by dramatic temperature changes, wind, or ice.
Because fiber cement is a highly versatile material, it can be manufactured in a wide range of designs to mimic the look of original wood. It can even be designed to replicate cedar shake!
Other Advantages of Fiber Cement
Because fiber cement is so durable, it is one of the longest-lasting siding materials available for modern homes. That’s why so many fiber cement manufacturers offer a limited lifetime warranty.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Fiber cement board is also a high efficient siding solution. This can help to maintain the comfort levels in your home and may even help to reduce your energy costs over time.
Fiber Cement Looks
Although fiber cement siding is available in a wide range of designs, the most common is similar to the look of vinyl siding. Just like vinyl siding, fiber cement comes with the same visual details that mimic traditional wood siding. Choose from smooth planks or planks that use a realistic wood grain texture.
Here are just a few of the options to chose from with fiber cement:
● Traditional lap siding
● Vertical siding
● Board and batten
● Cedar shake
● Cement board
The Eco-Friendly Siding Solution
If you’re environmentally-conscious, fiber cement is going to be a better option for you than vinyl. Although carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the cement production process, vinyl siding products twice as much during production.
Additionally, vinyl siding will continue to give off gases throughout its lifespan. Once your vinyl siding needs to be replaced, it will end up in a landfill. Unlike vinyl siding, fiber cement is inert and won’t put off gases. It will also last much longer than vinyl siding.
Fiber Cement Versus Other Siding
As an insulator, fiber cement also beats out vinyl siding. Vinyl cement is thicker and has a more homogenous composition, making it a naturally better insulator. Not only does this regulate the temperature in your home better, but it also means your home will be better at keeping sounds out.
Unlike some types of vinyl siding that can melt or warps when exposed to Low-E glass, fiber cement siding is much stronger and more resistant to melting, sagging, and warping.
Fiber cement siding also runs laps around wood and engineered wood siding with its durability. Here are a few ways fiber cement siding stands out:
● Fiber cement won’t expand or gap after long-term exposure to moisture.
● Unlike engineered wood, fiber cement won’t swell or get edge damage.
● Fiber cement is much more fire-resistant than wood and engineered wood.
Order Your Twin Cities Fiber Cement Siding
Are you tired of warped and cracked wood siding? Are you thinking of increasing your home’s curb appeal or getting it ready to list on the market? Fiber cement siding is a beautiful way to transform your home’s exterior.
To check out our many beautiful siding installation projects, stop by our online gallery. Then give us a call to connect with our exterior remodeling contractors at 612-710-7283 or contact us online for a free estimate.