Fiber Cement Siding: A Durable Alternative
Exterior by Joe Cuhaj
When it comes to protecting your home from the elements, fiber cement siding is a clear winner. Though best known under the brand name HardiePlank®, which is manufactured by James Hardie Building Products, there are several other companies that make fiber cement siding as well.
What it is
Fiber cement is a composite material made from cement, sand, cellulose fiber, and water in a special process that uses pressurized steam. The result is a highly durable material that costs a bit more than vinyl siding but considerably less than wood. While fiber cement siding is often touted as maintenance free, it does require periodic painting.
Advantages
While it’s hard to come up with reasons not to use fiber cement siding, there are plenty of pluses over vinyl and wood including:
- Class 1(A) fire rating, which means it’s virtually noncombustible.
- Impervious to attack by termites and other insects.
- Will not rot or crack.
- Dimensionally stable to changes in humidity and temperature.
- Weather resistant, withstands hurricane force winds as well as extreme heat and cold.
- Stands up to impact from hail or windblown debris.
- Resists fading and deterioration from UV rays.
- Paint lasts several times longer than on wood.
- Environmentally friendly and sustainable material.
- Comes with up to a 50-year warranty.
What’s Available
From smooth to wood grain to rough sawn, there’s a fiber cement siding to fit every style and taste. Lap siding and shingles come in several patterns and widths while vertical panels can be stripped to resemble board-and-batten siding. Here are some of the products available from James Hardie Building Products:
| Type: | Thickness: | Width: | Length: |
|---|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank® Lap Siding | 5/16” | 5¼”–12” | 12’ boards |
| HardiePanel® Vertical Siding | 5/16” | 48” | 8’–10’ |
| HardieShingle® Siding | 1/4” | 6”–12” | 18”–19” |
| HardieSoffit® | 1/4” | 12”–48” | 8’–12’ |
| HardieTrim® | 7/16”–1” | 3½”–11¼” | 10’–12’ |
Shingles come as individual shingles or 48” wide multi-shingle panels, while soffit panels are available in solid and perforated versions.
Painting
While fiber cement siding often comes primed and is painted with exterior acrylic latex paint after installation, it’s also available prefinished in a wide range of colors. The factory applied, baked-on finish is guaranteed for up to 15 years against cracking, chipping, or peeling. Eventually, though, it will require painting to look its best.
The Bottom Line
Fiber cement siding is affordable, attractive, and requires little maintenance—a combination that’s hard to find these days. Installation is not much more difficult than standard wood siding, though it’s important to follow the instructions and safety precautions provided with the product.
When purchasing fiber cement siding, read the warrenty carefully to make sure you are getting the best coverage and that it is transferable should you decide to sell your home.
Fiber Cement Siding Manufacturers:
Photos courtesy of James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
2 Comments on “Fiber Cement Siding: A Durable Alternative”
You can follow comments to this article by subscribing to the RSS news feed with your favorite feed reader.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
please advise on how I’d apply 4 x 8 sheet of cement siding and how to cover and paint over nail holes. thank you in advance
January 9th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Hi. I live in a 2 story townhouse. The bottom is cement covered with wood and the top is wood frame. Can your product be applied to both top and bottom floors? Also what happens if someone puts a nail in your fiber cement siding to hang something?