Published Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 9:22 am

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Vinyl siding vs. Fiber Cement: Which One is Right for Your Home?

Photo credit: Kalawin / iStock Photo

Fiber cement and vinyl are popular and inexpensive siding materials. They are made in an impressive range of colors, are durable, and require minimal installation. They are mold, termite and rot resistant. Both look like organic materials but don’t have the additional costs involved. Neither of the two siding alternatives isolates your home.

Despite the many similarities, these materials differ significantly in their aesthetics, appearance, and maintenance. Before choosing the one that best fits your home and budget, you need to weigh its strengths and weaknesses and make a sensible decision.

Fiber cement

Fiber cement may resemble logs, stone or cedar shingles in appearance, but is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. The price range for replacing and installing siding in Delaware is between $ 0.70 and $ 5.25 per square foot. When installing, simply nail it directly to the walls as if it were traditional wood.

James Hardie is the household siding brand in the US. The sidings even have their own name: HardiePlank, Hardie Board. These names are often used as synonyms for fiber cement. They’re in the upper price bracket and typically cost around $ 5 per square foot. Some other brands that might be worth noting are Allura, Cemplank, GAF, LP SmartSide, MaxiTile, and Nichiha.

benefits

• Durability. It is accompanied by a lifetime guarantee and lasts at least 50 years.
• Affordability.
• Environmental friendliness. It is made from sustainable and recyclable materials.
• Security. It’s much more fireproof than vinyl.
• Premium appearance. In contrast to vinyl, the slight irregularities of natural wood are precisely reproduced.

disadvantage

• It’s heavy and difficult to transport and install. It should only be installed by professionals.
• It’s fragile. It breaks easily if not handled carefully.
• The shade needs to be renewed every 5-10 years, which adds up to its cost.

To save your budget and effort, you can choose the prepainted variety. If you want to renew the shadow of the walls, fiber cement is easier to repaint than vinyl. But if weight is a major issue, consider vinyl. 100 square feet of vinyl weighs 60-70 pounds, while the same amount of HardiePlank weighs 4-5 times more.

vinyl

This siding option may look similar to tile, stone, or cedar in appearance, but is made from polyvinyl chloride. It won’t exactly mimic natural wood because it’s not that thick.

Vinyl is sold in three forms:

• Faux log.
• Shingles.
• Planks (horizontal or vertical).

The price range is usually between $ 3.00 and $ 4.00, sometimes up to $ 6.00 per square foot. These are the most reliable manufacturers: Alside / ABTCO, CertainTeed, Georgia Pacific (GP), Kaycan, Mastic, Mitten. Timbercrest.

benefits

• Durability. It is accompanied by a 25-year guarantee and lasts up to 40 years.
• Affordability.
• Light.
• Easy installation. You can install it with your own hands, using the appropriate tools. The risk of damaging the siding or making mistakes during installation is very low.
• A more impressive variety of colors and textures compared to HardiePlank.
• Moisture resistance. In contrast to fiber cement, it does not absorb moisture.
• Painting is only required if you want a new shade.
• Additional isolation option. Order the insulated variety to maximize the building’s energy efficiency and protect you from freezing.

disadvantage

• It won’t exactly mimic the premium texture of natural wood.
• Pre-painted grades must be repainted every 5-10 years. Every time you repaint the walls, apply a lighter shade than the previous one. Dark hues tend to pick up the UV rays and surface distortions due to the heat.
• Due to the restrictions of a historic residential area, you may not be allowed to use the vinyl siding. Before you buy the siding, you need to make sure that it is acceptable in your district. Otherwise, you need to choose fiber cement, which imitates natural wood.
• It can hardly be recycled after use.

Conclusion

To sum up all of the above, it should be said that vinyl is best in terms of budget, paintwork and DYI, but fiber cement is preferable for the show, is more environmentally friendly and more fireproof.

Choose vinyl if your goal is:

• Avoid painting.
• to use the additional insulating layer.
• installing the siding with your own hands.

Choose fiber cement when you’re ready:

• Ask for professional help with moving and installing the siding.
• repaint it every 5-10 years.
• Recycle the siding after use.

To make the most of both options, contact a reliable Delaware siding installation company and entrust the work to their specialists.

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The post Fiber cement vs. vinyl siding: evaluating appears to be like, prices and sturdiness : Augusta Free Press first appeared on DECKSAND FENCES DAILY.