The materials we use are critical when it comes to the design and structure of our homes and offices. They determine our buildings’ aesthetics and will impact the building’s cost, utility, safety, and overall desirability. A building’s siding might seem insignificant in structural terms, but it plays a vital role as the first thing an observer will notice when looking at it. One of the most popular siding options in the Western world today is fiber cement siding. If you’re building a home or office or carrying out repairs or renovations, it’s a worthwhile material to consider. Before you decide, however, you should know what fiber cement siding is all about and what makes it unique. That’s what this piece is all about.
What is Fiber Cement Siding?
Until the 1980s, most buildings were fitted with cement siding products containing asbestos. As people grew to learn the toxic, potentially life-threatening dangers associated with asbestos, they sought an alternative solution.
Fiber cement siding, or Hardie Board, was developed to provide an alternative to vinyl and wooden siding options. It is made out of wood pulp (cellulose) which gives it its resilience and flexibility. It also contains Portland cement (clay, iron, and limestone) that binds everything together, and fly ash that acts as a filler.
Different types of fiber cement siding are used in commercial and residential properties. These include sheet form, shingle fiber, stucco, and lap fiber cement siding (clapboard).
The Advantages of Fiber Cement Siding
There are many qualities and features that make fiber cement siding more appealing to builders and property owners in comparison to other materials.
Adaptability
One of the best qualities of fiber cement siding is that it will work well under all climate and environmental conditions. In the Northern United States, which experiences fiercely cold seasons, fiber cement will not become brittle and break down like vinyl siding. If your property is near water, you can rely on fiber cement siding to withstand high heat, humidity, and strong winds.
Non-combustibility
Fire hazards concern all property owners, and non-combustible fiber cement siding is one way to mitigate this risk. In dry areas prone to wildfires, many insurance companies offer discounts for property owners who use fiber cement sidings in their buildings because of their fireproof nature.
Durability and Longevity
Investing in fiber cement siding is a wise move. It will hold up in the harshest climatic conditions. It is strong enough to resist any knocks and bumps it might experience from nearby trees or objects that are blown into it by high winds. You will rarely have to perform repairs on it and might not need to replace it for decades.
Eco-Friendliness
If you’re concerned about keeping your environment safe, fiber cement siding is for you. It doesn’t contain any plastic and uses very little wood, making it the most environmentally friendly option on the market today.
Pest Resistance
Wood-boring pests such as termites are present all-over Northern America. These pests pose a significant risk to wooden sidings. Fiber cement does a great job of repelling these pests, keeping your property looking its best. When dealing with other siding types, especially wood, you will be forced to constantly repaint or seal your sidings. You may even have to replace them entirely because of pest damage.
Low Maintenance Costs
While fiber cement siding may not be as indestructible as many think, it is undoubtedly easier to maintain than wood or vinyl siding. Because of its resistance to inclement weather, rot, pests, and physical damage, you rarely have to spend valuable time and money to keep it looking and functioning well.
What Will Fiber Cement Siding Cost You?
Many property owners shy away from fiber cement siding because they associate them with high costs. On average, the price of fiber cement per foot is comparable to wood siding and higher than vinyl.
What pushes the cost of fiber cement siding is that it requires significantly more construction team members to deliver and install. Even so, it’s essential to remember that what you spend upfront will be recovered. Over time as fiber cement requires very little maintenance and will outlast other sidings.
Final Thoughts
While fiber cement siding might be more expensive than other siding options, it more than makes up for its initial costs over time. Installing fiber cement siding will save money on repairs, replacements, renovations, and other potential pitfalls. If you’re thinking of fiber cement siding solutions, place your order with a reputable, experienced supplier and installation experts.
Shaping, personalizing, and installing fiber cement siding is a job best left to the professionals.
The boards are heavy, breakable, and create potentially harmful dust when handled, so this shouldn’t be considered a suitable DIY project. If you’re in Sacramento or El Dorado, bring in the experts, and be sure to make Straight Line Construction your first choice. Call us today!
Sources
Cement Fiber Siding: (8 Things You Should Know) (homeinspectioninsider.com)
https://www.homedit.com/fiber-cement
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/siding/fiber-cement-siding-cost
