Fiber cement siding: working with a residential contractor

Residential contractors are well aware of the benefits of fiber cement siding, but homeowners are still learning about this low maintenance product. If you are considering residing your home in the near future, chances are your residential contractor will suggest it.

Fiber cement siding is made of cement, sand and cellulose fiber that has been cured with pressurized steam for strength and stability. It first started hitting the residential market in the 1980s but it wasn’t until the 1990s that builders and residential contractors became more familiar with it.

Over the past decade it has become one of the top siding choices for residential contractors, most citing its durability, appearance and affordability as top reasons for choosing fiber cement siding over other siding options.

For homeowners who like the look of wood siding but not the maintenance and cost of wood products, fiber cement siding is indeed a great option. As well as mimicking the appearance of wood siding, it can also look like brick or other masonry products.

The benefits of fiber cement siding are numerous: it is fire and termite resistant, it has a high structural strength and will not rot, buckle or warp, and it holds paint longer than conventional wood siding — lasting between seven to 15 years. Some manufacturers sell their siding pre-painted, although the siding will need to be repainted in time.

Although fiber cement siding has not been on the market long enough to know the long-term durability of the product, most manufacturer’s offer warranties as long as 50 years on their siding.

Although some homeowners can, and do, install fiber cement siding themselves, the average homeowner is advised that it is best to work with a residential contractor as proper installation is critical to moisture resistance. Installation also requires specialized cutting blades and safety precautions as a lot of dust is created when the fiber cement planks are cut.

Talk to your residential contractor about your fiber cement siding options. Several manufacturers make fiber cement siding, and new products are coming out every year.