Cement Board Siding Might Be The Best Choice For Your Home
If you are at the point where your house siding needs to be replaced, you might consider cement board siding. This kind of siding was invented over a century ago to withstand extreme temperatures and weather. With the many improvements in its manufacturing and fiber content over the years, this product is definitely one to consider. Cement board siding has other fibers in it besides cement to add to its durability and performance over the years. When you choose a siding for your home you want to make sure it will be durable, weather resistant, mold resistant, water repellent and low maintenance. It will also need to be attractive and able to match the style of your home. Cement board siding meets all these criteria.
Cement board siding is moldable and comes in many attractive forms and styles. It can have wood grain, smooth or stucco-like finishes. It can come in vertical panels, shingles or boards. This material lends itself well to many styles and looks from traditional to contemporary. You can purchase cement board siding unpainted and paint it yourself in a color you choose, or you can purchase it prefinished in a wide selection of colors. Since this siding absorbs paint in an enduring way, you will need to paint far less often than with wood siding.
Cement board siding is more durable than wood siding and holds paint better. It is less porous than wood and so is not as affected by water and mold. It resists damage from hail, rain and mold better than wood and doesn’t crack over time. It is noncombustible and thus less likely to contribute to house fires. Unlike wood, if you paint correctly with a good quality paint, cement board siding will not peal, bubble or chip.
Cement board siding is about one and one half times heavier than wood, which makes a small difference when installing it. Cement board siding installation might be better left to a siding contractor because it requires some special tools for cutting. Anyone installing cement board should wear goggles and mask with a respirator because cutting this product produces a fine dust with microscopic silica fibers. You can install your own siding if you feel confident of your skill and have the correct tools to cut it. You can get trim pieces to match the siding to provide a smooth unified look. You can get all the tools and trim you need for your siding job from the distributor you purchase your siding from.
James Hardie siding has specific performance attributes relative to the climate in which you live. HardiePlank lap siding comes in a variety of climate-engineered looks and textures and is the most popular brand of siding in the U.S. It comes with a 30-year nonprorated, transferable, limited warranty.
CertainTeed’s Weatherboards Fiber Cement Siding has a natural woodgrain appearance, comes in over 20 colors and can resemble maple, redwood or cedar siding. It is constructed from sustainable material and is low maintenance. In the event of damage, it is relatively easy to replace. Learn more in this product video:
In general, cement board siding pricing is higher than that for vinyl siding but less than that for hardboard or brick siding. You can get individual plank pricing online at Lowe’s and Menards; you can find out price and pick up and delivery options upon entering your zip code. Determining the complete cost of siding for your home is another matter. If you don’t know how to calculate how much siding you will need, it’s best to contact the manufacturers directly as most will provide free quotes for your home.
