Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding: Invest in your home
Fiber cement siding material will achieve both the de
sired appearance and the lasting protection for the home.
During the construction of a house the appearance of some materials are given much consideration, the color of tile and counter tops, the style of windows and doors, and the general look of the exterior. Aesthetic appearance is only half of what the builder or homeowner should be concerned with. The actual composition of some of these materials is more important than appearance, in respects to durability, longevity and maintenance.
There are many options when it comes to siding for the home, more dated options such as the traditional wood and shingle siding have disadvantages such as frequent maintenance and are more susceptible to damage, including weather damage and insects/pests.
Vinyl siding is a popular choice among homeowners today, but it too has it’s own set of disadvantages. Though Vinyl siding is cheaper, the costs of poor insulation and greater chance of mold will turn this initial savings into decades of maintenance costs. Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report stated that there is only a 72.4 percent return on investment with vinyl siding.
The reigning leader of cost compared to value is Fiber Cement Siding, at a noteworthy 80 percent. In this post recessionary time our nation is currently in, the investment in quality siding is imperative to minimize future home maintenance and remodeling costs.
Fiber cement siding is comprised of a combination of cement, sand, and cellulous fibers. The blend of materials produces a dimensionally stable, stronger siding, which is more tolerant to weathering and more versatile in appearance. The sand and cement materials form the structure of each piece while the cellulosic fibers form the characteristics in strength against cracking.
This revolutionary product will not warp, buckle or fade; and due to rigorous factory engineering standards, it is immune to winter freezing and summer heat, further it holds a Class 1 (the best) fire rating, as it is a non-combustible material.
Outside of the composition features, fiber cement siding can be molded in to innumerable shapes, sizes and thicknesses. It can be imprinted with a wood grain texture without having the disadvantages that come with real wood siding.
Fiber cement siding comes in smooth or textured siding and in any color. If you’re trying to obtain the look of brick or stacked stone siding, fiber cement products such as KuraStone cladding by Nichia is certainly worthy of consideration.
Typically a brick or stone cladding requires mortar or metal lath in the installation process which can be costly. KuraStone uses a hidden clip system that secures the panel quicker, with more precise results and without the mess of traditional mortar adhesion.
All siding gets wet, frankly that is one of the reasons for having it. Moisture intrusion is the leading cause of siding decay; it can cause building defects as well as health ailments from mold growth. Through developed techniques and applied sciences a specially designed panel bracket system has been developed by Nichiha to combat this trapped moisture. Their modified rainscreen allows air to travel within a small space between the wall sheathing and the fiber cement panel; this space allows water that transpires through the panels to escape downward through the perforated starter strip.
Fiber cement siding is not the most inexpensive siding material, but it is one of the best in terms of quality and performance. The value of this material comes from its beautiful look and from the minimal amount of upkeep required to maintain its beauty. As any homeowner would confirm, when investing in your own home, the perfect product is one which gives them the desired appearance, requires the least maintenance, and yields the highest return in value.
