The History of Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is not a well-known siding material, but it has been around for more than a century. It was first invented in Austria in 1901 and marketed under the name “Eternit,” a notion towards its long-lasting nature. Decades later, it became a widely popular material in Australia thanks to its ability to protect homes against bushfires.
What Is Fiber Cement Siding Made Out Of?
- Wood pulp: Wood dust or pulp is used to offer flexibility and resilience. The wood fiber allows this fiber siding to have much of the same feel and installation process as vinyl siding.
- Water: Water is used to dissolve the wood chips while activating and hardening the cement.
- Fly ash: Fly ash is used as a filler, but it can be replaced with silica or cellulose fibers. For example, James Hardie Siding uses cellulose fibers instead of fly ash in their James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding.
- Portland cement: This specialty cement binds the fly ash and wood together to create long-lasting, durable and low-maintenance siding.
Why Choose Fiber Cement Siding?
Fire Resistant
Rot-Proof
Many homeowners’ main concern when it comes to protecting their homes is moisture. Rain, humidity and water can easily enter cracks between lap siding panels and become trapped. As moisture builds up, it can form mould and rot, both of which will require homeowners to clean or replace their siding products.
Fiber cement makes protecting your home from rot easy. Fiber cement panels can withstand a great deal of condensation, humidity and water. You can trust that your home is protected thanks to fiber cement siding.
Cost
Resistant To Weather Damage
Minimal Maintenance
Fiber cement is a low-maintenance material. It does not require as much maintenance as other siding materials like vinyl or wood. Its maintenance routine is also very minimal, so when upkeep needs to be done it is straightforward for homeowners.
For example, much like wood siding, fiber cement siding needs to be sprayed with a garden hose or power washer every 6 to 12 months. This simple cleaning regime removes any dirt and grime that have built up on the surface of your exterior walls.
Bursting With Curb Appeal
While fiber cement siding is an incredibly tough material, it’s also incredibly beautiful. Thanks to its composition, it looks much like vinyl and can be sold in almost every profile including lap, vertical, boards, panels and individual shingles. There are also many textures and paint colours to choose from, allowing you to add your own unique style to the exterior of your home.
We highly recommend looking at James Hardie fiber cement siding options when it comes to siding your home. James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding is one of the most popular products in the fiber cement siding industry and it comes in a variety of options including wood grain texture, wood trim, shingles, panels, half rounds and more.
A Great Siding Option For Your Home
When you install fiber cement siding, you trust that you are protecting your home for the long term. In fact, this siding can last up to 25 years with proper installation.
With that being said, it is extremely important to leave fiber cement installation to the professionals. Panels are heavy and you can’t use a circular saw to cut them. Installation can also be extremely difficult and tedious, especially if there are over a hundred square feet of an exterior to cover.
Leave the installation to the pros. Contact professional siding installers to get a durable and long-lasting siding solution for your home or business.
