The current design of the fiber cement siding goes to the 1980s, when an Australian business, James Hardie Inc. has perfected a method of making fiber cement siding with asbestos that was used in cement siding from the past. Man-made material made up of a mix of silica, cement, along with natural cellulose fibers the mix is then pressed into molds that form the clapboard planks, or shingles, that are sized to be used as exterior siding.
After being dried, prior to shipping, the product can be painted using a range of attractive exterior colors. If it is not painted in the factory the product will receive an primer coat, and be painted at the site of the installation. Fiber cement siding comes in various textures ranging starting from a modern polished finish, to rough rustic wood look.
It is now sold under a range of brand names that are well-known Modern fiber cement siding grew slowly, but recently it has accelerated the pace of its acquisition of market share from the long-standing top-of-the-line in exterior siding: PVC vinyl.
Today, the outlook for the future appears even brighter , as fiberglass cement siding expected to see nearly 50% growth in the five years from 2013 to 2018, whereas vinyl siding’s growth is forecast to be slow around 28 percent over the same time frame.
Residential construction accounts for the vast majority of the fiber cement’s expanding market share. About 15 percent of the new construction homes make the use of siding made from fiber cement.
Here are a few positives that can be explained by the increasing popularity for fiber cement siding homes, and contrasted with a few negatives that homeowners must take into consideration before making a final decision:
Benefits to Fiber Cement Siding
Durability
The name–“fiber cement”–has an industrial strength ring to it. It is thought to be the most durable to the common threats to residential siding. It doesn’t break down or warp, and it is abrasion-resistant. UV exposure doesn’t degrade it, and it is resistant to snow, hail and ice. The wind isn’t a danger in areas that have the highest number of tornadoes or hurricanes, the building codes of many locales recommend the installation in the construction of siding made from fiber cement. Pests that attack traditional wood siding, including termites and woodpeckers, have no desire to eat fiber cement.
Ecologically neutral
In its final form, fiber cement siding doesn’t have the potential to be recyclable in and of itself. But contrary to PVC siding, which is a petroleum product that is broken down and releases toxins into landfills, the components in fiber cement siding can be ecologically inert and won’t change into harmful substances.
Longevity
Fiber cement siding generally comes with the potential for a 50-year maximum service life for products that are not coated and 75 years with backcoated versions. The warranty protection for the product generally ranges from 30 to 50 years. When the exterior was coated in the initial manufacturing process the coating applied by the factory may come with a guarantee against peeling, fading chips, and other issues for a specified period of time, typically about 15 years.
Fire Safety
This is an obvious choice. Wood siding can add an additional source of fuel and flame to house fires. PVC vinyl siding needs temperatures as high as 700 degrees to be able to start to ignite, but it melts and is able to fall off the building even at just about 165 degrees. The fiber cement siding typically not affected by heat or flame. It is an a classification 1(A) score for flame and fire spread, which is the most prestigious rating available.
Advantages of Fiber Cement Siding
Before and After shots using New Fiber Cement Siding
Photo Credit Image Credit: Wplynn
Insulation Value
The insulation factor of exterior siding can help reduce the loss of heat in summer , and the loss of heat during winter. The greater the insulation R-value the better the material impedes the movement of heat energy into and out of the home.
Fiber cement and vinyl provide an insulation rating that are .5 and .61 and.61 respectively. It’s a pretty significant draw. However, vinyl siding is more appealing when a homeowner chooses insulation that boosts the R-value by 2. The extra R-value comes at the cost of increasing the cost of the insulated vinyl as high as 40.
Cost
The cost of installation for fiber cement siding could be significantly higher than vinyl siding. It generally ranges from $6.00 to $11.00 for each square foot. Vinyl siding is typically priced between $3.00 or $4.00 in square feet. Within the range of siding options fiber cement is more expensive than vinyl. It’s about the same price as composite or hardboard siding and less expensive than brick and synthetic stucco.
Installation Issues
Some homeowners are able to accomplish DIY Vinyl siding repair. The tools are widely used and the siding is lightweight. Even when you employ an outside contractor to complete the installation, costs for vinyl are affordable.
Fiber cement is a different issue. The term “cement” refers to the gist of the weight: it weighs approximately 300 pounds for each 100 sq. feet which is approximately 60 pounds to the similar quantity of vinyl siding. It is typically a task that requires a team of skilled professional installers equipped with specialization and equipment. It isn’t an easy task to tackle on your own. when it is handled by an expert contractor, the cost for installing the fiber cement can be an even larger percentage in the overall cost for the job over vinyl siding.
Maintenance Issues
The factory coating of paint of fiber cement siding may last for as long as 25 years before the need to paint. Vinyl siding with colorfast properties will not require repainting, but. Maintenance recommendations for both vinyl siding and fiber cement siding are similar and straightforward–spray down with garden hose or other low-pressure water source every 6 to 12 months, sponge away any dirt or grime with soapy water.
Consumer Caveats
The quality of vinyl siding has been evaluated and verified with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International. Fiber cement siding isn’t tested or approved by any similar quality control organization.
However, a lot of the suppliers of fiber cement are well-known name-brand firms with a reputation for quality — the firm that developed the product is one of them. Hence, making sure to work with only the most reputable and well-known producers of the product and trustworthy local contractors is recommended.
Vinyl siding isn’t likely to go out of fashion in the near future, the advantages and appeal in fiber cement siding have made a significant impact on vinyl’s position on the market. Accurate information from major manufacturers of both can be as easy as only a couple of clicks on an internet search engine. Be prepared with the most precise data and choose the option that best suits your needs.
