
What is the best brand of fiber cement siding?
- Architectural Wall Panels – US and Canada available
- NichiFrontier Shake – US available, except Alaska and Hawaii
- Savannah Smooth Architectural Lap Siding – Available throughout the US
Which is better vinyl or cement board siding?
Vinyl Siding
- Material and labor is less expensive
- No difference in resale value when comparing equal grade products
- Doesn’t need long term maintenance
- Repair costs can be more than fiber cement
- Repair costs for larger areas is less than fiber cement
What are the advantages of fiber cement siding?
Advantages of Fiber Cement Siding. Durability. Just the name—“fiber cement”—has an industrial-strength ring to it. Indeed, this product is considered the most resistant to common enemies of residential siding. The material doesn’t rot or warp and is crack-resistant. UV exposure does not degrade it and it resists hail, snow and ice.
Is fiber cement siding worth the cost?
While fiber cement siding is slightly more expensive to install than vinyl siding, fiber cement also carries its own unique set of features that make it a siding choice worth considering. Fiber cement siding has actually been around for almost 100 years, but it’s recently been experiencing a new surge in popularity.

Is cement board siding better than vinyl siding?
By contrast, Hardie® fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding. It easily stands up to the elements, resisting damage from wind, rain, freezing temperatures and hail, and gives homes years of protection with low maintenance.
Is fiber cement siding more expensive than vinyl?
From an initial installation standpoint, vinyl siding is definitely cheaper. According to an RSMeans 2014 Residential Cost data report, vinyl siding costs $201 per 100 square feet to install while fiber cement costs around $300.
What are the disadvantages of fiber cement siding?
Top 5 Problems With Fiber CementFiber cement siding requires maintenance.Fiber cement siding absorbs moisture.Fiber cement is difficult to install.Fiber cement is not the most environmentally friendly siding.Fiber cement is not energy efficient.
What is cheaper Hardie board or vinyl siding?
There is no doubt about it, the advantages of hardie board come with a cost. Vinyl siding is far less expensive, both in terms of the product itself and labor costs to install it. Part of the savings stems from the fact that vinyl is much easier to cut, work with, and install.
What is the longest lasting house siding?
Vinyl siding is a popular choice when it comes to your home's cladding and actually lasts much longer than expected. With no effort or cleaning, it's expected to last you about 60 years but with meticulous care and maintenance, you can expect your vinyl siding to last up to 100 years.
Is fiber cement siding a good choice?
Durability. Fiber cement is a material that does not warp, crack, or dent easily. It can withstand very hot and sub-freezing temperatures. Fiber cement siding holds up against heavy rain, hail, sleet, snow, and windstorms. It can even withstand hurricane-level storms.
How long does fiber cement last?
Fiber Cement Must Be Repainted While a paint job on fiber cement siding lasts longer than wood—usually anywhere between five to fifteen years—it will eventually need to be redone.
Does fiber cement siding last?
Fiber cement siding, on the other hand, offers high durability and can last as long as 50 years. Both siding materials require minimal maintenance, but fiber cement can often be repainted after a few years to enhance curb appeal.
How long does fibre cement last?
around 50 yearsFiber cement siding comes with some of the most extended guarantees in the industry, typically around 50 years, so it's among the longest-lasting siding products. It will need occasional repainting, however, usually every 10 to 15 years or so, depending on the quality of the paint.
Do you have to paint hardiplank siding?
Yes, you can, and you should. Painting Hardie board siding will significantly improve its look and its longevity. Siding finishes generally last for around 15 years, so you need to do it, and do it right. Painting, when done properly can really bring out the wood feel of the Hardie board.
What is the R value of fiber cement siding?
Fiber cement offers minimal energy savings at . 15 r-value, but can be installed with fanfold or insulating sheathing products to improve the r-value of the whole siding system.
Can you replace vinyl siding with Hardie?
You can replace your vinyl siding with James Hardie siding. Fiber cement siding replacement comes with a long list of pros, and the only con most people see is its initial investment.
Which is better, vinyl or fiber cement?
If the area is also prone to winter storms, fiber cement is also resistant to high winds and impact damage from hail and debris. However, vinyl has a slightly better R-value (although still low). So whichever option you choose for cold climates, it’s wise to install an insulated house wrap before applying your siding.
What is vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is a durable PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sheathing that can mimic natural materials like wood, stone or tile. It’s the same material used in vinyl flooring and is a popular choice for home siding because it’s affordable and easy to clean and maintain.
What is fiber cement?
Fiber cement is a combination of natural products, including Portland cement, sand and wood pulp, while vinyl siding consists of PVC, which is a synthetic plastic also used for vinyl flooring. Find out which performs best in your climate, suits your style and fits your budget.
How long does fiber cement siding last?
Tough: Waterproof, fire resistant, pest and insect repellant. Longest lifespan of any other siding material: High-quality fiber cement siding comes with 30- to 50-year warranties. Long-lasting color: Up to 50 years with proper care. Available in different colors and textures: Can mimic wood, stone or tile.
What is the best siding for a house?
Your home’s exterior needs durable, long-lasting siding to protect it from inclement weather, insects and more. Fiber cement and vinyl siding are two popular siding choices that offer this protection, although their properties vary. Fiber cement is a combination of natural products, including Portland cement, sand and wood pulp, ...
How much does fiber cement cost?
Fiber cement siding costs$5 to $25 per square foot , including materials and labor. The materials alone cost between $1 and $15 per square foot, and labor ranging from $4 and $10 per square foot.
How much does vinyl siding cost?
Vinyl siding costs $3 to $6 per square foot for materials and between $2 and $5 per square foot for labor, which equates to $5 to $11 per square foot for materials and installation.
What is vinyl siding made of?
It’s attached to your home directly with nails. Vinyl siding is made primarily from PVC, a rigid plastic material, and is securely affixed to your home’s exterior in a manner that allows it to expand and contract with changing temperatures.
What is insulated vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding, including insulated siding, is the only exterior cladding with a product certification program administered by an independent, accredited quality-control agency that ensures products and colors meet or exceed the industry standard for performance.
What is the difference between cedar shake and aluminum siding?
But there are also other factors to consider. First is the durability of the material. Second is the amount of maintenance your siding will require to keep it looking fresh and tidy.
Is vinyl siding durable?
Siding Durability. Compared with wood, both vinyl siding and fiber cement are very durable exterior cladding options. Vinyl siding, however, edges out its heavier cousin because fiber cement has been known to absorb water, which can cause it—and the walls of your home underneath—to rot. Because of vinyl siding’s flexibility, ...
Can you paint fiber cement siding?
It can be painted or stained, which means you can make it any color you’d like, and it’s also now possible to buy prepainted fiber cement siding in a range of colors so that you can eliminate this step.
Is vinyl siding eco friendly?
In addition to the energy benefits you can get for your home from vinyl siding, it’s also a lightweight product. This means that it doesn’t take as much fuel to move the siding from its manufacturing facilities to your house, which ups the material’s eco-friendly factor.
Is vinyl siding good for insulation?
On their own, both vinyl and fiber-cement siding are relatively thin products that aren’t particularly good insulators, although they are both effective at keeping the elements away from your home.
What is the difference between vinyl siding and cement board?
There are two massive differences between vinyl siding and cement board (fiber cement), the first of which is how they’re made. Vinyl siding, the more common of the two, is made using PVC plastic. It’s a sturdy plastic that can withstand the elements rather well and won’t succumb to wear and tear for years to come. Vinyl siding is attached to your home’s exterior securely so there’s no worry of breakage or separation.
How much does vinyl siding cost?
This is likely due to the weight of the siding as cement board is a heavier product than vinyl. Vinyl siding costs about $2.01 per square foot to install whereas fiber cement costs $3.00 per square foot. Though the dollar doesn’t seem like a massive difference, it will add up as the area of your walls add up.
Why is cement board so expensive?
Another reason for the increased price for cement board is the installation process which we’ll get into further detail about soon. The cost of fiber cement siding will also stack up over time as it requires more maintenance than vinyl siding does. Cement board is a high-quality siding option that is well worth the cost, but it does have its drawbacks.
What is cement board?
Cement board is made using wood pulp and cement. This mixture provides sturdy security that matches real-wood siding but cuts the costs greatly. The siding is attached to your home’s exterior via nails which offers a decent strength and limits the compromisable areas.
Is fiber cement insulation thin?
The main issue with both vinyl and fiber cement is that they’re relatively thin. Other siding options like wood offer a sturdy wall that helps insulate the temperature and lower your energy bill. With vinyl and cement board, however, there is very little in terms of insulation when on their own. Both suffer from the thin nature they employ which could hurt your energy bill each month.
Does cement board rot?
Where cement board starts to fall behind is in absorption. Vinyl siding has a slight advantage over fiber cement in that it’s completely plastic which doesn’t absorb any water at all. Cement board, on the other hand, absorbs a slight amount of water which can lead – over time – to rot. This process will take years and may be counteracted in regions with plenty of sun and heat.
Is cement board more expensive than vinyl siding?
Cement board, while relatively simple to install, is a bit more complex than vinyl siding which leads to a higher price for the installation. Fiber cement siding requires homeowners to caulk and paint the section they’re installing in which can quickly build the price of installation. The material might last longer than vinyl siding which could save you money in the end, but maintenance will be key to keeping the siding effective and looking good.
Durability
The difference in durability for cement board siding is striking. Fiber cement siding has a unique composition that consists of sand, Portland cement, water and cellulose fibers.
Longer Lasting
The innovative composition of fiber cement siding yields another big advantage: longevity. When comparing the lifespan of fiber cement siding to vinyl, the difference is massive. Fiber cement siding can last upwards of 50+ years while standard vinyl siding can begin to show signs of aging after just 10-15 years in sunny climates.
More Sustainable Materials
Environmentally responsible practices continue to stay top of mind as companies push the boundaries to find more eco-friendly alternatives for their products. Fiber cement siding shows progress in the right direction, as many of its components are recyclable or sourced from recycled materials, like glass and wood fibers.
Fire-Resistant
When deciding between vinyl or fiber cement siding, it’s also important for homeowners to understand that cement board is fire-resistant. Vinyl siding is more resistant to fire than wood, but can still catch fire at high temperatures.
Lower Maintenance
Another perk of fiber cement siding? It’s lower maintenance than vinyl. Vinyl is particularly susceptible to wear and tear, so it requires attention, cleaning and even repainting quite frequently. Fiber cement siding only calls for a light rinse with a garden hose to keep its aesthetic appearance intact.
Abundant Style Choices
Fiber cement siding offers a wealth of styles that simply aren’t available from vinyl manufacturers. Homeowners can consider fiber cement siding panels in all sorts of surface styles like smooth, grooved, stucco, shingles and authentic-looking wood grain styles, like cedar.
Better Value Per Length
For many homeowners, the final decision often comes down to a fiber cement siding versus vinyl siding cost comparison. Again, fiber cement siding comes out ahead by offering a better value per length than vinyl siding.
Is vinyl siding good for your home?
Throughout the United States, vinyl siding has proven to be a great siding option that lasts and also looks great. Recently though, new material has emerged that offers tons of benefits to protect your home, and that material is fiber cement .
Is vinyl siding durable?
Compared to wood, though, vinyl is extremely strong and durable, without the required maintenance that you'll need to perform if you had wood siding. Even with the lower maintenance level, vinyl siding lasts much longer than wood siding, so it won't need to be replaced as often.
Is fiber cement siding fire resistant?
One of the newest siding materials available today, fiber cement is comprised of concrete fibers combine d together to create an extremely durable siding option. Because of its cement construction, it's naturally fire-resistant and pest resistant . Rot and other moisture damage isn't something that you need to worry about with fiber cement because it isn't vulnerable like wood siding.
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Basic Comparison
- Fiber-cement sidingis made from a mix of wood pulp and Portland cement that’s formed into long boards or shingles. It’s attached to your home directly with nails.
- Vinyl sidingis made primarily from PVC, a rigid plastic material, and is securely affixed to your home’s exterior in a manner that allows it to expand and contract with changing temperatures. Accor...
Energy Efficiency
- On their own, both vinyl and fiber-cement siding are relatively thin products that aren’t particularly good insulators, although they are both effective at keeping the elements away from your home. Where vinyl siding takes the lead is that it is available in an insulated version in which there is a layer of foam adhered between the siding and the walls of your home. This type of vinyl siding in…
Siding Durability
- Compared with wood, both vinyl siding and fiber cement are very durable exterior cladding options. Vinyl siding, however, edges out its heavier cousin because fiber cement has been known to absorb water, which can cause it—and the walls of your home underneath—to rot. Because of vinyl siding’s flexibility, it’s also virtually impervious to chips and cracks. That’s not the case for fi…
Maintenance Requirements
- Here’s where vinyl siding pulls way ahead of fiber cement. When fiber cement is installed, it needs to be caulked and painted (unless you opt for the prepainted version), unlike vinyl siding, which needs no additional work before or after installation. Over the long haul, you’ll need to paint fiber-cement siding periodically because it will fade due to the demands of Mother Nature. Likewise, y…
Cost
- According to the RSMeans 2014 Residential Cost Data report, the installed cost of vinyl siding is, on average, $201 per 100 square feet, while fiber cement totals $300 for the same area. In addition to saving on the initial cost of purchasing and installing vinyl siding, you’ll also save money over the lifetime of owning your home as it needs no painting or recaulking, unlike fiber c…
Comparing Vinyl vs. Cement Board
- Here is a quick comparison between the durability, cost, and installation of vinyl siding and fiber cement siding.
Main Differences Between Vinyl and Fiber Cement
- There aretwo massive differencesbetween vinyl siding and cement board (fiber cement), the first of which is how they’re made. Vinyl siding, the more common of the two, is made using PVC plastic. It’s a sturdy plastic that can withstand the elements rather well and won’t succumb to wear and tear for years to come. Vinyl siding is attached to your ho...
Problem Areas
- The main issue with both vinyl and fiber cement is that they’re relatively thin. Other siding options like wood offer a sturdy wall that helps insulate the temperature and lower your energy bill. With vinyl and cement board, however, there is very little in terms of insulation when on their own. Both suffer from the thin nature they employ which could hurt your energy bill each month. Vinyl sidin…
How to Switch from One to The Other
- Vinyl siding does seem to have some massive room ahead of cement board in terms of quality and dependability, but that isn’t the case. While vinyl siding certainly won some points in the topics we addressed, cement board does have its advantages. Cement board provides a much more aesthetic look with plenty of customizable options. If you’re looking for siding that mimics …
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