Some Good Points To Know About Fiber Cement Siding
If you're trying to decide on the right siding for your home, look into fiber cement siding. Vinyl, wood, and fiber cement are popular siding options. Wood is popular for its appearance and vinyl is popular for its low maintenance requirements. Fiber cement has both low maintenance and an appearance that looks like wood. Here are some good features of fiber cement siding that make it worth close consideration.
Fiber Cement Is Easy To Maintain
Fiber cement siding can be cleaned with a hose or pressure washer to keep the color fresh and to remove dirt and stains. You may want to clean the siding every year so your home always looks well-cared for. You typically don't need to paint fiber cement very often.
When you buy your siding, you can buy it painted at the factory or you can buy plain siding that you paint once it's installed. Buying prefinished siding is a good option since the paint can usually last for many years. Be sure to check the warranty for how long the paint should last. The siding is designed to resist fading, so you should get many years from your siding before it needs to be painted, and that reduces the amount of maintenance your home needs.
Fiber Cement Is Durable
Fiber cement siding is made from a mixture of sand, cellulose, and cement. The siding may look like wood, but since it is part cement and sand, it is tough and more durable. Insects won't bother fiber cement, and the siding won't rot away. It's also moisture-resistant and fire-resistant.
The siding is also heavy, so it won't usually crack once it's installed. However, proper technique is needed during the installation process so the siding won't get cracked or damaged. The siding can tolerate temperature and humidity extremes, so it can be used in all types of climates.
Fiber Cement Siding Is Attractive
Since the siding is manufactured, it can be created with different colors and designs. A common choice is to buy the siding textured to look like real wood. This can make your home look more attractive than having metal or vinyl siding which is obviously not natural. You'll have the attractive look of wood without having all of the maintenance that wood requires.
Fiber cement siding costs more than vinyl siding, but it also lasts longer and will probably need fewer repairs. The extra cost could be worth it to have heavier siding that stands up to strong winds, cold weather, and moisture.
Talk to your siding contractor if you want to compare fiber cement siding with vinyl or any other type of siding so you understand the benefits and the cost comparison. This helps you make a wise choice when selecting siding for your new home.