If the time has come to replace your siding, you have a few different options to choose from! While vinyl siding is the tried-and-true classic of the siding industry, there are other options that have been gaining traction among homeowners. One such option is fiber cement siding! First created at the turn of the 20th century, James Hardie perfected the modern version in the 1980’s by finding a way to create it without the asbestos that the early versions contained. Since then, it’s taken off in popularity, and is becoming the premier siding material in certain regions of the country. If you are considering installing fiber cement siding on your home, take a look at our guide to learn more about the benefits it offers!
Durability
When compared to vinyl siding, fiber cement is far more durable. While vinyl siding generally lasts twenty to thirty years, fiber cement can often last for a half century or more. It is resistant to warping, breaking, cracking, rotting, fire, and pests, meaning it will stand up to nearly anything Mother Nature can throw at it. If you want a siding material that will hold up in even the most severe weather, fiber cement is your best bet.
Aesthetics
Fiber cement is highly customizable, meaning that no matter what your vision for your home’s exterior is, it is very likely that you’ll be able to find the perfect siding option to fulfill it. Fiber cement can be designed to look like a variety of materials, from vinyl siding, to wood, to brick, and it is available in a variety of colors, meaning that you can design your home’s exterior to look however you would like it to!
Environmentally Friendly
While vinyl siding’s construction requires the use of fossil fuels, fiber cement is made from environmentally sustainable materials, and does not release toxins into the environment. If you are looking for a more environmentally sustainable siding material, fiber cement is certainly a better option than vinyl siding.
Cost
This point may be a bit misleading at first. Fiber Cement is more expensive to install than vinyl siding, this is inarguable. However, where fiber cement can beat out vinyl siding’s pricing is in its longevity. As we noted before, fiber cement can easily last twice as long as vinyl siding, and potentially even three times as long. While fiber cement presents a higher cost of installation, the fact that it lasts for so much longer than vinyl siding means that if you choose to install fiber cement siding, it is very likely that over the life of your siding, fiber cement will end up being the cheaper option.
Have more questions about fiber cement siding? Interested in installing it on your home? Reach out to our team at (412) 831-9991 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!