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, traditional siding, and more.

The beauty of fiber cement is that it looks almost completely indiscernible from other types of siding. It's meant to resemble it with one exception: it’s far more durable! Over the past few decades, fiber cement siding has become a top choice for homeowners and new home contractors.

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 and its benefits. To learn more about siding installation for your 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. But fiber cement offers the best of both worlds, serving as a cost-effective middle ground between steel and vinyl siding. 

What is 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.

Advantages of Fiber Cement Siding

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!

Here are a few reasons to love fiber cement siding:

Excellent ROI

When you have an innovative product — which beautifies and enhances a home and has durability and safety benefits — then you can add that to your ROI checklist. And did we mention it can have a potential lifespan of 50+ years? It does, and many fiber cement manufacturers offer a limited lifetime warranty!

Low Maintenance

Because fiber cement siding doesn’t warp or rot, you won’t have to worry about replacing paneling and damaged pieces as often. Cleaning is an easy task twice a year by simply spray washing using a garden hose. It’s also termite-resistant because there’s nothing for insects to eat. 

Fire-Resistance

Most of the materials used in fiber cement siding manufacturing aren’t flammable. Fiber cement is resistant to fires in much the same way that bricks are and is not affected by dramatic temperature changes, wind, or ice. 

Durability

Humidity can be unforgiving on traditional wood siding, often leading to warped and cracked panels. Fiber cement siding will stand up to the rain, wind, humidity, or any other mischievous weather that wreaks havoc on sidings and won’t expand or gap after long-term exposure to moisture.

Unlike engineered wood, fiber cement won’t swell or get edge damage. And unlike some types of vinyl siding that can melt or warp when exposed to Low-E glass, fiber cement siding is much stronger and more resistant to melting, sagging, and warping.

Quality Insulation

As an insulator, fiber cement also beats out vinyl siding. Fiber cement is thicker and more homogenous, 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.

Appealing Appearance 

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, even up close! 

Choose from smooth planks or planks that use a realistic wood grain texture. Also, if you change your mind about the color in years to come, you can repaint it with quality exterior siding paint, just like wood siding. 

Here are just a few of the options to choose from with fiber cement:

• Traditional lap siding

• Vertical siding

• Board and batten

• Cedar shake

• Cement board

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 produces twice as much during production. 

Additionally, vinyl siding will continue to give off gasses throughout its lifespan, and 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 release gasses. It will also last much longer than vinyl siding. 

Are There Any Downsides to Fiber Cement Siding?

As you can see, fiber cement siding has many benefits for any home. The few downsides include: 

• Performing minor maintenance, like repainting or caulking.

• Investing a little in insulation because cement fiber doesn’t have the highest R-value.

• Fiber cement is not recyclable.  

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? Fiber cement siding is a beautiful way to transform your home’s exterior. 

At Powers Premier, we offer a complete range of siding options, including vinyl, steel, and fiber cement. All of our siding options are available in a wide range of textures, colors, and styles. Whether you need siding repair or replacement services for your Minnesota home, we’ve got you covered. 

To check out our many beautiful siding installation projects, stop by our online gallery. Give us a call to connect with our exterior remodeling contractors at 612-710-7283, or contact us online for a free estimate.