Fiber cement siding is a composite material that protects your home against the elements as well as hazards such as fire. It’s an attractive material that adds to your home’s curb appeal, comfort, and value, which explains its rise in popularity among homeowners.
Keep reading to discover how long fiber cement siding lasts to help you decide if it’s the right siding for you.
The Materials in Fiber Cement
The materials in fiber cement are exceptionally durable, with a mix of cement, “cellulose fibers” and sand held together with “polymer additives.” Cellulose fibers like wood help keep the siding flexible to avoid cracking, while polymer additives such as stabilizers, plastic materials, and flame retardants enhance durability.
As a result, fiber cement provides a long-lasting siding option that adapts to all kinds of issues, including fading from sunlight, warping and swelling from moisture, and the spread of fire. Overall, fiber cement offers the easy care of vinyl siding with the beauty of wood, making it the ideal option for most homeowners.
The Average Life of Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is designed to last as long as 60 years with proper care. Let’s look at how fiber cement compares to other siding materials:
- Wood: 15 to 40 years with ongoing repairing and sealing.
- High-quality vinyl: 30 to 40 years and as little as 10 years for lower quality.
- Aluminum: 20 to 40 years if scratches and dents are repaired.
- Brick and stone: 50 to 100 years with limited maintenance required.
Fiber cement is known to outlast its warranty, which typically ranges from 30 years to limited lifetime warranties. You can maximize performance with seasonal inspections to ensure your siding is protected by reducing the risk of moisture intrusion.
Designed for Your Climate Zone
Some fiber cement products like James Hardie offer siding for each climate zone to improve performance against your area’s weather conditions. For example, the HZ5® is designed to stand up to freezing temperatures, temperature variations, snow, and ice in hand with a drip edge for improved water management. With the right protection for your climate, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home will withstand the most challenging weather hazards specific to where you live.
Advantages of Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement offers advantages over other siding options, including:
- Damage resistance: As mentioned, fiber cement is resistant to weather, insects, and fire but also is flexible enough to avoid damage such as dents and scratches.
- Maintains its integrity: Unlike materials such as wood that can swell and warp, or aluminum that can dent, fiber cement maintains its original shape and integrity to keep your home well protected all year round. Dents can increase the risk of water damage as it causes lifting and separation from the house.
- Finish is scratch resistant: The material make-up and color application of fiber cement helps avoid scratches common with wood and aluminum. It also maintains its color stability better than materials like vinyl or aluminum, so you enjoy rich, fade-resistant color for decades.
- Customized look: With a wide range of colors, textures, and installation configurations, you can customize the look of your fiber cement siding for a unique look and added curb appeal. Whether your home is modern and contemporary, traditional and elegant, or rustic and country, you’ll find the perfect combination to complement your home’s architectural style and era. It’s also the best option if you want the look of wood without the maintenance and cost. Textured fiber cement boards offer a more convincing wood alternative compared to vinyl faux wood options.
- Cost effective: Although not the lowest-priced siding, it is comparable in cost to higher-grade vinyls. However, you also have to consider the durability of the material, which reduces maintenance costs and will last a lifetime compared to other materials like wood. You might also find discounts on home insurance thanks to its fire resistance.
- Low maintenance: The long-lasting performance and durability of fiber cement makes it an easy choice if you want a low maintenance material. You won’t have to worry about repainting for decades, protecting your home’s curb appeal and value.
Interested in Fiber Cement Siding for Your Home?
We find homeowners love the look and performance of fiber cement as a cost-effective solution over the lifetime of owning their homes.
Although fiber cement siding might seem more expensive up front, its durability protects your home value and reduces costs associated with maintenance and repairs. It also makes life easier due to its long-lasting beauty while helping to protect against hazards like pests and fire for added peace of mind.
At Presidential Exteriors, we help homeowners in need of renovations achieve a more durable and low-maintenance home. Learn more about our fiber cement siding services so you can enjoy a long-lasting and beautiful home exterior! Contact us for a free quote and check out our siding services for more information.
