Fiber cement siding is one of the most well-liked exterior cladding materials for homeowners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and beyond. If you’re considering fiber cement siding for your upcoming siding replacement—you’re in good company!
Below, we’ll explore the unique benefits of this sought-after siding material so that you can answer this pressing question: “Are fiber cement boards the right option for enhancing my home with lasting strength, low-maintenance upkeep, and beautiful curb appeal?”
What Is Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is made from a durable yet simple blend of Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. Portland cement, produced with limestone, clay, and iron, acts as a binding agent, while cellulose fibers improve the flexibility and resilience of each board. The sand acts as a durable filler while the water activates and hardens the cement.
Fiber cement boards can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but this formulation used by James Hardie—America’s #1 siding brand—is considered standard across the industry.
Best Features of Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding offers numerous benefits, from durability to style, making it popular among homeowners. These are just a few advantages you’ll enjoy after installing fiber cement siding boards.
Weather Protection
Fiber cement siding is an excellent cladding option for homeowners in climates that experience rain, snow, and hail. It withstands inclement weather beautifully and resists moisture damage, rotting, and mold growth.
Fiber cement siding also won’t crack or become brittle in fluctuating temperatures, and most manufacturers offer warranties that last for several decades—a testament to the strength and durability of fiber cement boards!
Efficient Insulation
Fiber cement boards are thicker than most other siding materials. While this means that fiber cement siding is more cumbersome (and expensive) to install, these boards provide a noticeable amount of insulation, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Beautiful Appearance
Fiber cement siding is known for its durability, but it’s also an attractive addition to any exterior. Most fiber cement boards offer the same classic, inviting look of natural wood but with much less upkeep and much more durability!
Homeowners can choose from multiple fiber cement siding styles and textures—including lap, vertical, and shingle—to match almost any type of architecture. Fiber cement siding also comes in hundreds of colors to provide unlimited customization for your home.
Damage Resistant
Fiber cement siding offers more than weather protection. These boards are non-combustible, so they will not ignite when exposed to a direct flame nor contribute fuel to a fire. They are also unappealing to pests and will keep termites, woodpeckers, insects, and other pesky animals away from your exterior.
Effortless Upkeep
Compared to siding materials that require frequent staining, sanding, and painting or those prone to cracking and warping—fiber cement siding is relatively low maintenance. Fiber cement boards will not peel, chip, crack, or fade, and most fiber cement siding brands, like James Hardie, do not need to be repainted.
To keep these boards sparkling clean, rinse them with a garden hose and gently scrub away dirt, dust, and grime with a soft-bristled brush once or twice per year—that’s it!
Enjoy the Benefits of James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding: America’s #1 Siding Brand
As you can see, there are several compelling reasons to choose fiber cement siding for your upcoming siding replacement. However, we recommend taking your installation one step further by installing the top-rated fiber cement siding brand on the market—James Hardie!
Remodeling Concepts is proud to be a member of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance Program. Our installation teams are trained and certified to install this durable, long-lasting siding product the right way to give you the lasting performance you deserve.
Curious about Hardie siding installation with Remodeling Concepts? Learn more about the styles, colors, and products we install from the Hardie company to get some inspiration for your upcoming siding replacement—and call us when you’re ready to get started!
