What You Need to Know About Fiber Cement Siding

It’s important to choose a siding replacement that can handle your area’s local climate. Remember: no matter how durable your siding is, it won’t last long if it isn’t suited to the local climate. If you’re living in a temperate climate, most contractors would recommend installing fiber cement siding. 

What makes fiber cement siding ideal for homes in cold climates? Precision #1 Contractors Inc., your trusted siding contractor, explains in this guide. 

Why Choose Fiber Cement Siding?

• Resistance to extreme temperatures – If you’re living in a temperate climate, you should pick a siding material that’s resistant to the freeze-thaw cycle, like fiber cement siding. The cycle starts when water that’s trapped in siding, concrete, and other building materials expands. If the mercury drops below 32°F, trapped moisture—which expands by nearly 10% when it freezes—exerts pressure on the material. As temperatures rise again, frozen water melts and the siding material contracts. Over time, repeated contractions and expansions can cause cracks to form on the surface of your siding.
• Exceptional durability – Fiber cement siding is durable enough to withstand wind, rain, snow and even hail. It’s also resistant to a number of common siding issues such as mold and pest damage. Of course, the durability of fiber cement siding depends on the quality of materials used to manufacture it. That’s why it’s best to stick to reputable brands such as James Hardie® siding.
• Resistance to mold – Mold—which poses a health risk and can cause structural damage—thrives in dark, damp environments. Since fiber cement siding doesn’t have any overlapping seams where moisture can accumulate, it’s less susceptible to mold damage.
• Resistance to pest damage –  In winter, pests may try to chew through your siding to create a shelter for them. However, they won’t be able to burrow into fiber cement siding, which is durable enough to resist pest damage. What’s more, fiber cement siding is made of Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers, none of which termites find appetizing.
• Resistance to fire – The materials used to manufacture fiber cement siding are also inflammable, making it highly fire-resistant.
• Curb appeal – When it comes to aesthetic appeal, nothing comes close to wooden siding. The problem with wood is that it’s susceptible to moisture damage and needs a lot of upkeep. If you want a more durable option but still want wood’s classic aesthetic appeal, some manufacturers offer fiber cement boards that mimic the look and feel of wooden shingles and planks. And unlike wooden siding, fiber cement siding doesn’t need a lot of upkeep to maintain its aesthetic appeal.

Choosing a Finish

Most fiber cement siding boards are prefinished, but if you want a customized hue for your exterior, you can choose pre-primed siding and have a contractor paint it. In general, factory-applied finishes on fiber cement siding last 15 to 20 years while finishes applied on-site last 5 to 7 years.

Ultraviolet Rays and Faded Siding 

You’ll need to apply a fresh coat of paint to fiber cement siding, as UV rays cause the color of your siding to fade over time. If you’re looking for finishes that can last longer than a regular paint job, James Hardie siding and trim products with ColorPlus® Technology would be a smart investment. ColorPlus Technology finish is specifically engineered to resist fading and last longer. It’s applied in a factory-controlled setting to ensure debris doesn’t weaken the bond between the finish and siding and ensure consistent application. ColorPlus Technology finish also comes with a 15-year limited warranty that covers paint and labor. 

Exterior Design Tips

Choosing a Color 

Choosing a color for your new siding is mostly a matter of preference, but there are certain rules that can make picking a color scheme easier. 

Here are some design tips: 

• Stick to tried-and-tested color combinations – There’s a reason why certain colors have been traditionally used in certain architectural styles. It’s because they complement these architectural styles so well. For instance, Mediterranean homes have traditionally favored peachy shades and warm colors while Craftsman homes tend to feature earthy colors such as red, green, and brown in their design.
• Consider how lighting can affect your siding’s appeal – Here’s something you might want to remember while choosing a color scheme for your exterior: black is the absence of any color, while white (or to be more accurate sunlight) is composed of the entire spectrum of colors. As such, lighting can affect how a person perceives a color.  However, the amount of lighting isn’t the only factor you need to consider—you need to take into account geography as well. For instance, natural sunlight in the north has a bluish tint, which becomes reddish as you go down south. As such, colors that look great in warm southern sunlight might not necessarily look great up north.
• When in doubt, stick to neutral colors – There’s nothing wrong with choosing trendy colors for your siding. The only problem is they tend to go out of style quickly. That’s why it’s best to stick to neutral colors, which never go out of style and complement a wide range of colors.

The Most Popular Colors By Region 

Some homeowners find neutral color schemes too dull. If you want to add a bit more personality to your exterior without overwhelming the senses, you might want to try looking at James Hardie’s Statement Collection™, which features your region’s most popular ColorPlus® Technology colors. Keep in mind coordinating colors can be tricky, which is why it’d be helpful to use the James Hardie Exterior House Color Visualizer (which lets you experiment with different colors on home styles) or consult a professional siding contractor. 

Choosing the Right Siding Profile 

Aside from a color scheme, you’ll also need to choose a siding profile, which will be influenced by your home’s architectural style. To help you choose the right siding profile, here’s an overview of the most popular siding styles: 

• Horizontal or Dutch lap siding – Horizontal or dutch lap is the most common profile used in residential homes and is typically found on Craftsman and French Colonial homes. Horizontal or dutch lap siding is also a great choice if you want your exterior to stand out more. During the day, the curves on Dutchlap siding create strong shadow lines that help draw attention to your exterior by mimicking the appearance of natural wood.
• Shiplap Siding – Whereas dutch lap siding boards overlap with one another, shiplap boards butt right up with one another. They’re often found on contemporary homes, which favor clean lines.
• Vertical Siding – Want a bit more design flexibility? Vertical siding can be used to give your exterior a rustic board-and-batten look or a more modern look with simple minimalist lines.

The Importance of Maintenance

One more thing: no matter how durable your roof or siding is, it’s bound to suffer some form of damage after years of being exposed to the elements or weathering a storm. That’s why it’s important to have a professional contractor conduct routine maintenance on your exterior. Through routine inspections, contractors can detect siding damage and conduct stucco repair before the damage affects other parts of your home. 

Why Hire a James Hardie Preferred Contractor

To ensure your new siding is installed properly, only certified professionals should handle their installation. To help homeowners find professional contractors, James Hardie established the Contractor Alliance Program, which vets and certifies contractors as Elite Preferred or Preferred Contractors. 

Looking for professional contractors near you? 

Precision #1 Contractors Inc., a James Hardie Preferred Remodeler, offers a wide range of professional exterior services, including siding installation and stucco repair services. To schedule a consultation, call us at (215) 364-5115 or fill out this form. Talk to us today!