At Mario’s Roofing, we work with James Hardie for all fiber cement siding projects and customers LOVE IT! James Hardie is the leader in the fiber cement siding industry, but so many people are uneducated about the material as a whole. So… what is fiber cement and what are the advantages of choosing it?

Fiber cement siding is a wonderful alternative to traditional siding, and it’s a great replacement option for siding that is seriously weather-beaten. This kind of siding is applied to the exterior of your home, just like conventional siding. There are a wide range of colors to choose from and a number of styles. The shingles are mostly made from sand, cement, and wood fiber, and sometimes even recycled wood fiber. What you get is an incredibly durable material that can withstand the elements.

Durability: 

Fiber cement costs more than vinyl, but it’s still more affordable than cedar wood. It’s also seriously going to outlast the competition. It puts up a great defense against rain, wind, insects, and even fire. Not only is it durable, but it’s also recommended for all climates. Did you know that no matter how wet it gets, fiber cement siding will never rot? It’s also termite-resistant.

Maintenance Free: 

Thanks to this durability, fiber cement siding lowers your maintenance costs. It’s also a material that does not harm the environment, even though it cannot be recycled. Homeowners are just now opening their eyes to the benefits of fiber cement. But this material has actually been around for almost 100 years or more!

Visual Options: 

The most popular form of fiber cement planks that you’ll find today are either wood-grained or come with a smooth finish. They also come in widths of 4 to 12 inches. Because there is so much variety, it’s possible to match the current siding on your home when building an addition. You can also replace patches of your current siding without noticing the difference. It’s possible to find wall panels with vertical grooves and soffit panels.

Painting Options:

You can choose to either prime and paint your siding on the building site, or it can be done at a factory. That being said, factory-primed and painted siding comes with a warranty of up to 25 years, so that’s a huge bonus. If you’re doing the priming and painting yourself, manufacturers will ask you to use an alkaline-resistant primer, as well as a 100% acrylic top coat.

Another great thing about fiber cement is that you can change the color at a later date. Be sure to choose a water-based acrylic paint. You’re going to find that fiber cement does not contract or expand as much as wood siding, and that means that the paint is just going to endure longer. Lastly, fiber cement is available in a number of different home improvement centers and lumberyards. James Hardie is a great manufacturer to start with.