Fiber Cement Siding Vs Vinyl

Maintenance of vinyl vs.

Fiber cement siding vs vinyl.

For a typical american home the average total cost can range from 8 000 and 20 000 for standard vinyl siding. Fiber cement is composed of wood pulp sand portland cement and water. Expect to pay between 8 50 to 13 00 per sq. By contrast james hardie fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding.

According to the rsmeans 2014 residential cost data report the installed cost of vinyl siding is on average 201 per 100 square feet while fiber cement totals 300 for the same area. Fiber cement siding does require a little more routine maintenance than vinyl. Vinyl siding in comparison consists of pure plastic formally known as polyvinyl chloride. It easily stands up to the elements resisting damage from wind rain freezing temperatures and hail and gives homes years of protection with low maintenance.

It is composed mostly of polyvinyl chloride resin. Wood products will soak up the paint but fiber cement does not absorb anything. From alaska to the tip of florida fiber cement is the best choice. Additionally vinyl siding is predisposed to warping due to heat.

Vinyl siding is a plastic siding material. Fiber cement siding stands strong against weather extremes. That is because it does not expand or contract or soften and get brittle in the heat and cold. The fibers provide support to the cement making it more durable than either of the materials would be on their own.

While the vinyl will not need to be painted until it becomes faded in 10 years or so hardieboard will need to be painted periodically. Fiber cement siding consists of a mixture of wood fibers mixed in with cement. Compare that to fiber cement which on the same home will cost between 14 000 and 26 000 for full installation. While there are many brands of fiber cement james hardie siding is the number one brand for fiber cement and the number one siding in america.

Unlike vinyl it performs beautifully in the unrelenting heat of the sun in the south and the bone chilling cold of the north.