Fiber Cement Siding Pros & Cons
Your siding is one of the hardest-working components of your home’s exterior. But when your home’s siding needs to be replaced or updated, it’s a great time to look at more efficient siding solutions.
Over the past few decades, fiber cement siding has become one of the more popular choices for homeowners and new home contractors. This durable option has only improved over the years, making it a great solution when ordering replacement siding.
In this post from Powers Premier Contracting, your source for professional Twin Cities exterior remodeling services, we’re exploring fiber cement siding’s pros and cons. Check out this guide and then give us a call to discuss siding options for your Minnesota home.
What is Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is a type of siding that’s manufactured using cellulose, sand, water, and cement. The result is a durable, semi-rigid material that’s flexible enough to withstand the changes of heat and cold. Fiber cement is versatile enough that it can mimic the look of real wood, stone, or masonry.
Fiber Cement Siding Pros
Like all siding materials, fiber cement has some benefits over other types of siding. To determine which siding material is right for your home, check out this list of fiber cement pros:
- It’s incredibly durable.
Humidity can be tough on traditional wood siding, often leading to warped and cracked panels. And we certainly have our share of humidity in Minnesota. But with fiber cement siding, your siding will stand up to the humidity, the rain, the wind, and anything else the Twin Cities weather has in store for your home.
- It isn’t flammable.
The fear of a fire is one of the most significant worries for most homeowners. But because most of the materials used in fiber cement siding aren’t flammable, your fiber cement won’t help fuel a potential fire. Instead, the heat will transfer through it like heat through a frying pan. This can help to reduce the rate at which fire travels through a home.
- It looks just as good as wood.
Although there are plenty of siding materials that mimic the look of real wood, fiber cement does it better than any other siding material. While other types of siding can be a dead giveaway from close up, the texture of fiber cement offers a traditional look that doesn’t look artificial.
- It’s a great value.
While fiber cement isn’t the least expensive siding option available, it is comparable in price to many other types of siding. And because fiber cement is so durable, it will save you money in the long run on maintenance and siding replacement.
- It’s pest-resistant.
Wood siding is vulnerable to infestation by insects and vermin, especially termites. With fiber cement siding, there’s nothing for insects to chew through. Fiber cement is also resistant to mold, mildew, and rot.
- It’s repaintable.
If you change your mind about siding colors down the road, you’re not stuck with the same siding color. Any quality exterior siding paint can be added to your fiber cement siding.
- It’s easy to maintain.
Because fiber cement siding doesn’t warp or rot, you won’t have to worry about replacing paneling and damaged pieces as often. And fiber cement can be easily cleaned a couple of times a year with a garden hose.
- It has a long lifespan.
Fiber cement siding has one of the longer lifespans when compared to other types of siding. When well-maintained, you can expect quality fiber cement siding to last for as long as 50 years or more.
Fiber Cement Siding Cons
Fiber cement siding is not without its cons. But when compared to other types of siding, the benefits outweigh them.
- It does require some maintenance.
Although you won’t have to worry about replacing panels, you will eventually need to repaint your siding at some point during its lifespan. Your siding may also require caulking down the road.
- You’ll still need insulation.
Although some types of siding on the market today are manufactured with a higher R-value, you’ll still need to invest in good insulation with fiber cement siding.
- It isn’t recyclable.
Although fiber cement siding is a more environmentally neutral type of siding than many alternatives, it is not recyclable.
Order Your Twin Cities Fiber Cement Siding
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 siding options on Minnesota homes, stop by our online gallery and see our work in action. Find out more about whether fiber cement siding is right for your home by calling Powers Premier Contracting at 612-710-7283 or contact us online to get your free estimate.