Highlights
Fiber cement siding is made of cement, wood, a filler, and water.
It typically costs $14,200 to install this siding material.
Fiber cement siding benefits include curb appeal, low maintenance, and ROI.
When you’re on the hunt for a siding material, you’ve likely come across popular options like vinyl, wood, and brick. But there’s one siding material that’s been gaining popularity in recent years—fiber cement siding. But before you call a local siding pro, you should learn what it is and whether it’s good for your home. Here’s what to know about this durable, long-lasting siding material.
What Is Fiber Cement Siding?
Fiber cement siding is a siding material that only started making an impression on homeowners in the 1980s, though it's been around for over 100 years. It’s made of portland cement, wood pulp or fiber, fly ash or silica sand, and water. This combination makes it a durable material that homeowners find attractive.
What Are the Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding?
There are several reasons fiber cement siding is a solid option for your home. Let’s look at some reasons that make this siding material a worthy investment.
High Fire-Resistance
With wildfires becoming more frequent across the country, most homeowners are turning towards a housing material that’ll at least put up a fight against extreme heat. And since fiber cement siding is made from a non-combustible material, it has a high resistance to fire.
Low Maintenance
This siding material isn’t completely maintenance-free, and you’ll need to repaint your fiber cement siding every 10 to 15 years and caulk it regularly. But it has lower maintenance requirements than materials like vinyl that’ll need repainting every five years.
Long-Lasting
With proper installation and maintenance for fiber cement siding, this durable material can last up to 50 years, thanks to its rigid design. So, you won’t need to worry about replacing your siding a few years down the road. And who doesn’t like to set it and (mostly) forget it?
High-Resistance to Damage
Fires aren’t the only damages that fiber cement siding can hold its own against; it also isn’t vulnerable to other weather-related damages such as hail, high winds, and snow. This material offers protection against termites, mold, and mildew, which are common damages to households, plus pest infestations and rotting.
Good Exterior for Insulation
Fiber cement siding isn’t a good insulator alone, with an R-value of .5. But it is a durable exterior material that’ll protect your insulation underneath.
Return on Investment
Most homeowners are always looking for a way to increase their home’s resale value—honestly, who wouldn’t? Fiber cement siding costs $14,200 on average. But you can recover up to 76% of its initial cost. This ROI makes it a worthwhile choice if you’re looking for a siding material that’ll yield a healthy investment return. Besides adding to your home’s resale value, fiber cement siding also doesn’t require as much maintenance as vinyl and wood. And if you use this material you can save money on your insurance premium, because fiber cement deters pests, is non-combustible, durable, and not prone to the same wear-and-tear issues that wood siding faces. Before deciding on a siding manufacturer, contact your insurance company to see what saving options are available to you.
Fits Into Various Home Styles
Fiber cement doesn’t sound very, err, aesthetically pleasing. But don’t let the name deceive you. This siding material comes in various sizes, colors, and design choices, making it an optimal choice for most homeowners that’ll let them get a long-lasting, functional siding that’ll also fit the style they want for their home.
Added Curb Appeal
Besides coming in various styles to fit your personal needs, this material also matches the look of wood without maintenance or the classic look found in brick homes without the price. They also offer a sleek, beautiful look that can give you brownie points with your neighbors.
