Fiber cement siding is applied outside a house or other building. It can help your home resist some of the hardest elements of your local environment while disguising itself as masonry or wood, enduring wear and tear like concrete. Manufacturers make this product by combining Portland cement with wood pulp to increase your home's affordability, toughness, and aesthetic appeal.
Only this siding option combines the low-maintenance masonry function with the appearance of shingles, painted clapboard, or even brick and stone. About 15% of newly constructed homes and many remodeling projects use this product since its overall cost is so competitive.
Given that the product has only been accessible for the past 25 years, the growth of fiber cement siding in the residential construction industry is amazing. Because it lowers costs without sacrificing the property's aesthetics, many architects request this product be used in new development. Due to its numerous amazing qualities, several historic districts are even authorizing this item for usage on properties.
These are the pros and cons of fiber cement siding to consider if you're constructing a new home or upgrading an existing one.
If you own land close to the coast, the salty air can quickly and dramatically harm the outside construction of your home. You are employing a product that will survive the weather for many years when you utilize fiber cement siding for your home. For a fraction of the cost of the other siding options, it will even prevent rain and wind damage from happening in high-risk environments. If you live on the United States East Coast, this product's ability to resist hurricane-force winds is unquestionably advantageous.
A home fire is frequently at the top of the list when asking the typical homeowner what situations terrify them the most. Because of this, fiber cement siding is an excellent material to put on the building's exterior. This product's composition contains 90% combustible ingredients. This siding can hold up well even in situations of intense heat.
According to United Home Experts, in one example, firemen from St. Paul, Minnesota, responded to a fire that was so hot that even though their fire vehicles were parked approximately 100 feet away, they still sustained damage. Fiber cement cladding completely shielded a building near the inferno despite the intense heat. It has the highest grade, Class 1(A), and is largely unaffected by heat and open flames.
Many of the most affordable exterior solutions for your home seem cheap, phony, or both when considering the other possibilities. You'll have a different viewpoint after first looking at fiber cement siding. The piece's texture gives it the appearance of real wood, brick, or stone, even when looking closely at it. The many advantages of using current products are still available while you still enjoy the traditional aesthetic.
The typical cost of fiber cement siding for a home in the United States is between $5,500 and $18,000. The average price of installation is just around $12,000. In some places, you can get these planks for as cheap as $0.70 per square foot at your neighborhood home improvement retailer. Even if you purchase at the top of the price range, the cost is only about $5 per square foot. If you choose shingles, their price might range from $2 to $8 per piece.
The color and style you select for your home will determine your ultimate expenses, but fiber cement siding is unquestionably a great deal.
There are many basic colors to choose from when choosing fiber cement siding for your home, ensuring that it has the ideal appearance from the start. If you don't like the color or tone of this product, you can paint over it with exterior-grade paint without endangering the durability of the cement.
If it can install the planks without the additional layer of paint, you won't experience the same levels of fading and weathering as you would with other outside options.
Although there are always sporadic exceptions to this drawback, most providers do not offer small- or medium-sized lots for distribution. Therefore, homeowners cannot buy fiber cement siding directly from the producer. You will need to buy what you desire from a nearby merchant or contractor who meets the requirements of an industrial-grade buyer. There are some costs and fees to consider in addition to the product price because it cannot eliminate the mediator from the equation.
Plan on staying in your home for at least 5-7 years if you want to add fiber cement siding so that you may repay the cost of the labor. Compared to vinyl or aluminum siding, the price to install this siding might be up to three times higher in some neighborhoods. Although the manufacturing process using fiber cement is substantially less expensive, the final cost is still lower than it would be. To optimize the savings, you must install this product yourself.
Since vinyl or aluminum siding maintains its color throughout its lifespan, you hardly ever need to repaint your home with these materials. The paint job will last roughly 15 years if you choose fiber cement siding for your home before dealing with this drawback. If you don't want to perform the painting yourself, you should employ a qualified contractor knowledgeable about this surface to guarantee that your outside makeover produces the desired results.
Since the components of fiber cement siding are inert to the environment, disposing of it in a landfill or another container won't result in it breaking down into something harmful. Unlike other siding materials (particularly aluminum), this choice lacks a recycling possibility. You'll be tossing it away if you need to remove it from your home's exterior for any reason.
Your home's exterior siding's ability to retain heat can assist you in minimizing heat gains in the summer and losses in the chilly winter. No energy is transferred into or out of your home when you choose a high R-value. The R-value of the product is just 0.5 if fiber cement siding is selected for your project. To ensure your property complies with the applicable codes, you must utilize high-grade insulation inside your walls, attic, and crawl space.
Because of this drawback, if spray foam insulation was utilized to maintain a reasonable internal temperature, you might want to have your home professionally evaluated. If this product isn't as thick as it should be, your home could use much more energy. Each R-factor measurement for this product has a specified thickness requirement. Installing fiber cement siding over inadequate insulation may improve the condition of your home in the long run.
Conclusion of the Fiber Cement Siding
Contacting a local installer will help you learn about the possibilities in your area if you're attempting to select which sort of siding is best for protecting the exterior of your home. Most professionals will provide you with a free estimate and recommendations for siding options that will support the structure of your home both now and in the future.
This product is an investment even if you decide on fiber cement siding because it is less expensive than the other local options. Because of this, it's important to consider your options before deciding to make the greatest decision for your home and family.
The benefits and drawbacks of fiber cement siding make it clear that this product is cost-effective, practical, and incredibly attractive. This option is smart to consider even though the installation prices are a little higher, given the overall savings you can realize.
Primary Issues With Fiber Cement.
Maintenance is necessary for fiber cement siding.
Moisture is absorbed by fiber cement siding.
Installing fiber cement is challenging.
Fiber cement siding is not the most eco-friendly option.
Fiber cement uses a lot of energy.
It Supports all environmental conditions, even salty air.
It is not ignitable.
You can change it.
High Resistant To Wear And Tear.
It's possible to love or hate maintenance.
Installation Is Harder.
In Some Climates, Insulation
Cleaning fiber cement materials is best accomplished with a low-pressure water spray* and a soft medium bristle (non-metal) siding cleaning brush. NOTE: It should not use Acid and high-pressure cleaning as they can damage the surface of the fiber cement.
The return on investment for switching wood to fiber cement siding can reach as high as 87%. It is based on the project's cost with its resale value. The cost of installing new siding on your house is worthwhile because it has a long track record of providing a reliable return.
