Is Fiber Cement Siding a Good Choice for My Home?
Have you ever heard of Hardie Board or Hardie Plank? If you have, then you’ve heard of fiber cement siding. When you’re thinking about which type of siding is best for your home, there’s a lot to consider such as climate, style, and maintenance. Fiber cement siding is a favorite among homeowners for its versatility and durability.
Fiber cement siding is a relative newcomer to the residential siding market–it has only been available since the 1990s. Since it’s fairly new, we will go over all you need to know about fiber cement siding so you can make an informed choice for your home’s exterior.
What Exactly Is Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is popular because it is easily produced to look convincingly like wood or masonry siding. At the same time, the material has the strength and durability of concrete. Manufacturers create this type of siding by mixing cement with wood pulp or cellulose fibers as well as some additives unique to the brand which creates a proprietary recipe.
Here at Advance Inc., we carry James Hardie fiber cement siding because it has additives specific to the region of the country where it is used. As a result, the product can stand up to the typical environmental stressors that often occur in the region. For Northeast residents like in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, James Hardie siding is a great choice.
Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding comes with a unique set of benefits because of its unique makeup. Some of these benefits may even help reduce home insurance premiums, so be sure to check with your insurance provider when deciding which siding to choose for your home.
Some of the benefits of fiber cement siding are that it is:
- Available in a variety of styles and finishes
- Impervious to wood-boring insects, rodents, woodpeckers, moisture, heat, UV radiation, and rot
- Low maintenance
- Has the highest fire rating (Class 1A)
- Salt water resistant
- Can withstand hurricane force winds and impacts from objects
- Dampens sound transmission
While fiber cement siding may cost a bit more initially, convenience, durability, safety, and more all make it a cost-effective choice for your home. James Hardie fiber cement siding even comes with a 30-year non-prorated warranty.
How to Maintain Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding from James Hardie is available in a variety of baked-on finishes which resist cracking, fading, and chipping. If your siding needs cleaning, they suggest using a low-pressure water source like a standard garden hose and a soft brush to remove any accumulated grime.
Repainting of fiber cement siding should only need to be done every 10 to 20 years for maintenance purposes. Of course, it is easy to paint if you choose to change the color at any point.
Fiber Cement Siding Design and Finish Choices
Fiber cement siding comes in an almost endless variety of textures and styles for your home, including many unique options you can’t achieve with other types of siding. There are a variety of shingle styles, planks, and vertical siding, as well as soffits and trim boards.
The quality and sturdy structure give your home a high-end look that is hard to achieve with other materials that don’t come with the same benefits offered by fiber cement siding.
Fiber cement siding offers a remarkably realistic appearance of wood without all the work and upkeep that wood siding requires. Combine this with the long lifespan and durability and you will find fiber cement siding to be an obvious choice for your home.
Get Your Fiber Cement Siding Installed by Advance Inc.
Here at Advance Inc., we have years of experience providing the highest quality of product and installation when it comes to fiber cement siding. With an in-house consulting team, we help homeowners choose the right style for their homes and get started on their projects right away.
We are happy to schedule an in-home visit for a consultation and estimate. Contact us to get started today.