Fiber Cement Siding – General Overview

If you are considering getting new siding for your home, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of siding types you can choose between. From wood siding, aluminum siding, shakes siding, vinyl siding, and fiber cement siding, the options seem nearly endless. Today, we will delve into some of the benefits (or disadvantages) to fiber cement siding.

What is fiber cement siding? It is a composite of sand, cement, and cellulose fibers. It comes already painted, though it can also be repainted following your fiber cement siding installation.

Fiber Cement Siding Colors

Fiber cement color schemes are vast and varied, as are their styles. One of the advantages of fiber cement siding is that it can mimic wood siding in many ways: board and batten, clapboard, and shingle styles can all be emulated. Even its finishes can mimic wood. One disadvantage is that, while from a distance it looks just like wood, up close you can tell it is not. Also, fiber cement siding can only mimic the look of painted wood. Despite its many color options, no fiber cement can replicate unpainted wood.

Fiber Cement Cost

Fiber cement cost is another important consideration. While not horribly expensive, it is more expensive than some other siding types, such as vinyl. However, fiber cement needs less upkeep than wood siding, saving costs in the long run. It is extremely durable and low maintenance. It is able to withstand extreme weather, making it ideal for the inclement weather of Chicago. There are many highly qualified fiber cement siding contractors throughout Chicagoland. Each of these contractors is highly experienced and skilled. If your siding needs maintenance, they can easily perform fiber cement siding repair for you. Though the final choice of siding will come down to a number of factors, fiber cement siding is an excellent choice for many homes.

Facts About Vinyl Siding

When deciding on new siding for your home, the number of options can be overwhelming. Some popular options include vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, wood siding, brick siding, and stucco siding. Vinyl siding has long undergone scrutiny by skeptics. However, vinyl siding is a very strong option for any home. Why choose vinyl? Vinyl siding colors are seemingly limitless, meaning you can choose a color and style that will fit the image in your mind of your dream home perfectly. Additionally, the vinyl siding cost is low, making it an affordable option for any homeowner. Additionally, vinyl siding is durable, making it able to stand up to extreme weather (a very important factor for Chicagoland homes).
 
The vinyl material is resistant to fading, rotting, and decaying, meaning it will look like new for years to come. Its fade resistant material can save you money on maintenance since it never needs to be painted! It is also energy efficient, and can help insulate your house, thereby lowering your utility bills. Are you hesitant to using a non-wood siding? With recent advances in the siding industry, many vinyl sidings are designed to look like wood, and its original flaws have been banished.
 

Why Buy Vinyl Siding?

But perhaps the most important reason to choose vinyl siding is that vinyl siding installation is remarkably simple. This, plus the affordable nature of the siding itself, means that the price of vinyl siding installation is relatively low. Particularly talented do-it-yourself homeowners can even complete the installation on their own. However, we highly recommend the use of a professional for the installation of your siding, both for the sake of quality and your safety. Vinyl siding can be installed over nearly any siding, making it almost unlimited in its uses.
 
There are several companies throughout the city of Chicago and its suburbs that can install it for you. One of them is Renovax Vinyl Siding Installation & Repair Chicago.These companies are also well versed in vinyl siding repair. Wood siding will need to be painted every few years, and is much less durable than vinyl, meaning it will need more frequent repair. Vinyl siding, on the other hand, needs repair and maintenance less frequently. And when it does need repair, there is no shortage of experts on hand to do it. Today, vinyl is considered one of the most popular siding types in the United States, and there is a reason for its popularity. Consider vinyl for your home’s siding.
 

History of James Hardie Siding

With more than 125 years of experience in siding, James Hardie is one of the most respected and admired companies in the siding industry. The company is named after one of its founders. James Hardie established the company in 1888 when the Scotland native moved to Australia and opened an import business. In Australia, he chanced upon “fibro-cement.” This was a type of roofing and lining slate. Andrew Reid joined Hardie as a business partner in 1895. Their business thrived, and Hardie sold his half of the business to Reid following his retirement in 1911. The Reid family operated the business until 1995, when Andrew Reid’s grandson retired. The business became James Hardie Industries Ltd. The company continued growing and eventually moved their corporate domiciles, first to the Netherlands in 2001, and then to Ireland in 2010. These moves were voted on and discussed with the company’s shareholders, whom James Hardie siding holds in high esteem. Today, the company operates at the forefront of fibre cement technology development. The company has expanded to the United States, New Zealand, and the Philippines. From a modest start in Australia, James Hardie siding has become one of the world’s most sought after commodities.

Why Pick James Hardie Board?

Though the credibility and long life of the company are excellent reasons to trust James Hardie, they have also been pioneers in the industry since their modest beginnings. The very first products were discoveries in and of themselves. In the mid 1980s, James Hardie was at the forefront of the development of an asbestos free fibre cement technology. Following the creation of the technology, James Hardie began to design a wide range of other fibre cement reinforced products. It has become one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the industry, it’s 2014 net sales of $1.49 billion clinching its spot as the world’s largest fibre cement manufacturer. James Hardie strives to always better ourselves, both in business practice and our product development. We take our status as pioneers in our industry very seriously. Our top priorities are professionalism, sustainability, diversity, and affordability and we constantly work toward achieving those goals.
 

James Hardie Siding Products

James Hardie siding has been known since the beginning as an asbestos free product. However, their products are wonderful for so many more reasons than just that. Their wide variety of finishes and styles make them practical for all sorts of building designs, both modern and contemporary. Even more importantly, Hardie siding is both fire and moisture resistant. In addition, it is resistant to termites, rotting, warping, and impact. This low maintenance, durable Hardie board is more than worth it’s already affordable price. As an added bonus, James Hardie makes every effort to follow environmentally friendly practices in their business practice. No matter what your needs are regarding siding, James Hardie siding should be at the top of your list. Residential and commercial properties alike can find a wonderful siding option at a reasonable price. James Hardie siding is available at businesses throughout the world—find a local retailer today.