Let’s talk about fiber cement siding and just what makes it our preferred recommendation to clients who are looking to replace the exterior siding on their homes.
Fiber cement siding is a composite material made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers. This makes it a “green” building material, as all these materials are renewable resources. According to ThisOldHouse.com, fiber cement is the wonder siding. They go on to say “It’s the only siding that combines the performance of masonry—minimal upkeep; rot-, fire-, and termite-proof; unaffected by wind or cold—with the look of painted wood clapboards, shingles, even stone or brick.”
And there’s even more good news about fiber cement siding—it’s not just affordable, it provides a terrific return on investment in the form of adding value to your home, a layer of insulation that can cut heating costs. Although this “miracle” siding has only been around for the past 25 years, This Old House reports that 15 percent of new homes—and many TOH TV projects—are now being clad with fiber cement. Many architects insist on it!
Did you know: Fiber cement siding is even accepted for use in some of Colorado’s many historic districts.
Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of fiber cement siding. Colorado is a place of weather extremes: blazing ever-present sun, heavy UV exposure, buffeting gale force winds, extreme changes of temperature within a week or even a day, heavy blankets of snow, sudden and violent hailstorms, bitter sub zero temperatures in the winter, raging summer wild fires . . . are we leaving anything out?
Many kinds of siding do not fare so well with these extremes of climate. Fiber cement siding, on the other hand, seems custom made for Colorado’s weather. Here’s why:
It is impervious to the sun’s UV rays. They will not blister the color off it.
It does not contract or expand with temperature extremes the way wood or vinyl does, meaning the paint finish won’t chip or peel.
It can be installed to withstand wind gusts up to 150 miles an hour (which fortunately we don’t usually have here)
It is not dented by hail, no matter how sudden, large or crazy the storm
It requires much less ongoing maintenance through the years than wood or vinyl
It is not combustible, meaning that while it cannot save your home from a fire, the substance itself will not burn. Therefore, it will not add any fuel to the fire.
It laughs at the idea of being damaged by either pests or any kind of mold or rot—they simply cannot touch it.
So whether you have a mountain cabin in a wildfire area, a ski lodge in a heavy snow and bitter cold area, or a suburban Colorado residence in a covenant community where you need to keep your home looking well-maintained at all times, fiber cement siding will give you the exact benefits you’re looking for. In our experience, it truly is the wonder product!
Martin Faith
Martin Faith is a proud Scotsman, business owner, and home improvement expert. In 2002, after an unfortunate experience with a local contractor and a siding project gone wrong, Martin decided to start his own home improvements company. His goal was to help other homeowners avoid having to suffer through the same experience. He founded Scottish Home Improvements, a customer-focused siding company based in Denver. Martin's small business grew rapidly and today is the largest siding company in the state. With an A+ Rating from the BBB, recognition as a Preferred James Hardie Elite Contractor, and over fifteen years of experience, Scottish Home Improvements is the number one trusted source for residential and commercial siding in Colorado.