Fiber Cement Siding Cost – When people visit your house, they will admire the beautiful wooden siding you have placed on the exterior of your home. Unknown to them, the exterior of the house they are so busy admiring is not wood at all and you do not have to tell them either. Let it be a secret! If it is not wood, what it is then, you wonder.
It is fiber cement siding, which looks like wood and is better than wood. In comparison to wood, fiber cement siding is more versatile, durable, not to mentioned an excellent alternative to real wood.
What is Fiber Cement Siding?
A look back in back in history will tell you that the presence of fiber cement existed for over a hundred years, except for one difference. The fiber cement siding that you know today is a refined version of the ones that existed all those years ago. In fact, the fiber cement siding of the modern world came into focus in the 1980s.
Before the 1980s, you would uncover asbestos fibers in the fiber cement siding, which was added to the siding to increase its strength. The modern day fiber cement siding is a combination of sand, cellulose fibers, and cement. All three materials are combined with the fiber cement siding using a process known as high-temperature steam curing.
The high-temperature steam curing method strengthens the fiber cement siding. Before the curing process can be taken out, the fiber cement siding needs to be manufactured a certain way in order for it to give the appearance of genuine wood. It is designed in layers with the outmost part bearing the resemblance of a wood grain. It is available in horizontal sheets, shingles, and boards. Apart from looking like wood, it also weighs as much as wood.
In fact, it weighs two times more than wood, which some say, is its drawback. Placing the fiber cement siding can take a long time, as the contractors will have to cut it, and then place it onto the house. If they are installed incorrectly, it can lead to the buildup of moisture. For this exact reason, people are encouraged to hire a contractor with considerable experience in installing fiber cement siding.
What are the Benefits of Installing Fiber Cement?
Even though metal and vinyl tend to be a more popular choice among homeowners as an alternative to wood, fiber cement is gradually reaching there. The reason for its steady rise to fame is mentioned below:
- Durable – When installed correctly, fiber cement does not fade like vinyl siding and does not rust or dent like metal siding fiber. Fiber cement siding is also a termite, fire, and water proof.
- Price – It costs less than natural wood, comes with a warranty, lasting up to fifty years, and does not require homeowners to maintain it constantly as time passes by. Fiber cement also holds paint superior than wood, which means homeowners will only need to repaint it after every fifteen years.
- Appearance – It is available in a multitude of colors, designs, and finishes. Even though it might not be the real thing, it has all the properties of a stunning wood.
- Environment-friendly – In comparison to vinyl siding, fiber cement is not harmful to the environment or humans, as it does not contain any of the chemical components found in its competition. It siding is created using non-toxic materials. Another contributing factor of it being an environment-friendly choice is its ability to last a long time.
People who are looking to incorporate Hardie plank siding into their home should consider the benefits mentioned above as long as costs of providing your house with a false wood finish that looks genuine.
Fiber Cement Siding Cost
You will find the following table useful if you are thinking of investing in a fiber cement exterior siding:
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People who are looking for an inexpensive solution to wood should choose fiber cement board siding. If your desire is to outfit your home with wood siding, but the price of wood is too much, fiber cement siding is a good alternative, one with a long lifespan.
