This is a versatile, affordable building material that’s rapidly gaining popularity. If you’ve recently heard of this material but aren’t sure what it’s all about, this post will answer all of your questions!
What Is Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is a composite material that can be used for domestic or commercial projects. It’s made of a mixture of cellulose fibers, cement and sand. Since these are all relatively inexpensive materials, the price remains reasonable.
Why Is It Becoming So Popular?
There are several reasons why the popularity of this building material has exploded over the last few years. The first is its natural appearance. Unlike vinyl or aluminum, it’s fairly easy to use this material to replicate the desirable appearance of wood grain.
The next reason is its resilience. While wood, such as cedar siding looks great, certain insects like the much-feared Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus), can wreak havoc on it.
One of the great things about fiber cement siding is that it offers the aesthetic benefits of wood without the susceptibility of actual wood. And because it holds up so well, choosing fiber cement siding the first time means you’re not going to have to worry about replacing it for a very long time.
For safety considerations, it is important to note that this is a non-combustible material. What does this mean for the homeowner? First and foremost, safety for the family. Secondly, since it doesn’t burn, it is possible in many cases to reduce homeowners insurance premiums.
This material has the same stellar reputation for reliability as a stainless steel Grundfos pump.
Another key reason so many homeowners are choosing this siding material is because of its great value. If someone has only looked at the cost of a material like vinyl, the cost of fiber cement siding may initially seem high.
However, the reason that’s actually not true is because this material requires far less maintenance and upkeep than other options. As a result, it offers great long-term value.
How Hard is Siding Installation?
Although you can use tools like a circular saw, electric shears, and a scoring knife to attempt the installation, you’ll get the best results from putting this task in the hands of a capable and experienced professional.
But if you choose to it yourself, always wear a respirator when cutting it. If you would rather find reliable contractors, check out Angie’s List for local reviews. Take the Tour!
Do You Need to Do Anything to Care for This Type of Siding?
However, many companies still take the time to test fairly regularly so that if an issue arises, they can minimize the negative impact of the problem.
The same is true for fiber cement siding maintenance. Because it’s such a durable material, it’s technically possible to just let it be except for a paint job when required.
Although it will still hold up with virtually no care, if you want it to remain in the absolute best shape possible, a little care can go a long way.
The main thing you’ll want to occasionally do is use a hose to spray off any areas of your home that are covered by this material. That simple action will keep your siding in top-notch shape. Just make sure you keep the pressure low so that you don’t inadvertently cause any damage to this area.
Michelle is a blogger and freelancer. She’s written about almost every topic under the sun, and loves constantly learning about new subjects and industries while she's writing. Whenever she's able to step away from her computer she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs.
