The siding on your home makes a big impression, and it also keeps rain, wind, and other outdoor hazards from affecting the structural integrity of the house. There are a number of different materials that can be used as siding, one of which is durable, relatively easy to work with, and mimics wood: fiber cement siding.
Why Use Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding provides, and even improves upon, many of the benefits of wood siding without the cost. It has its drawbacks too, of course. Below are outlined a few of the pros and cons of this material when compared with wood.
Pros
What makes fiber cement siding an increasingly popular alternative to wood siding?
- This material is extremely durable, resistant to warping, termites, and fire. It will not rot or buckle.
- Fiber cement siding generally holds paint for a good deal longer than wood, anywhere from 7-15 years.
- It can be manufactured to mimic the appearance of wood, providing your home with a more convincing look than vinyl can.
Cons
In what ways does wood still hold sway over fiber cement siding?
- Fiber cement siding is very heavy; it may require more manpower and hours to work with due to this fact.
- Special saw blades designed specifically to cut this material are often recommended.
- Inhaling the dust created by sawing through fiber cement siding can cause serious lung damage, so there are more safety precautions required when handling this material.
Installing Fiber Cement Siding
Installing fiber cement siding is similar to installing wood siding. It is recommended that you fasten it to the wood studs of the house's frame, using galvanized screws or nails. The siding should start about 6 inches above ground level. It is not recommended that you use wood trim in conjunction with this material, since the wood is likely to degrade much quicker than the fiber cement.
Carry the slats on their edge and not on the flat side, since they are flexible and you could warp them. As for painting, you can get fiber cement pre-primed or pre-painted from the manufacturer, or you can opt to handle this part yourself. Oil-based primers do not work well on fiber cement, so go for a latex-based one. From there, provided you've done a decent job priming everything, you should be able to use whatever paint you want (though again, oil-based paints may prove difficult to work with).
Fiber cement siding has been a fixture in house construction for almost 100 years. The reason for that is because it is reliable, efficient, and pretty simple to work with. If you don't want to spend the money on wood siding, but still want what wood can provide, consider using this great material on the side of your house.