Fiber Cement Siding vs. Vinyl Siding
Everyone wants a beautiful home. Unfortunately, getting one takes more than a simple snap of the fingers. Roofing needs to be installed, coats of paint need to be applied, and perhaps most importantly, attractive and durable siding needs to be chosen.
That’s why we’ve put together a definitive guide on choosing the right siding for your home. In this guide, we compare the benefits and costs between fiber cement panels, also called hardiplank vs vinyl siding. It’s important to consider the appearance and aesthetics, the maintenance, the impact for home resale and the cost for both types of siding. In the end, we want you to feel confident about choosing the best siding for your home.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is often called “hardiplank” or even “hardie board” named from the most popular brand of fiber cement siding which is manufactured by James Hardie.
Fiber cement planks are formed by combining wood pulp with Portland cement. As a result, the planks or individual shingles do an excellent job of mimicking the look of traditional wood siding.
It is also installed in much the same way as traditional lapboard or wood siding, as it is nailed directly to your home.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is an invention of the 20th century. It has become very popular because it is durable, affordable and quick to install. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, vinyl siding is the most popular home exterior material in America. It was installed on 36% of new homes in 2010.
Unlike fiber cement siding, it is not nailed directly to the side of your home. This allows it to expand and contract. This makes it an especially popular material in regions with a wide range of seasonal temperatures.
Which looks better?
Because of the skill and inventiveness of both vinyl and hardie board manufacturers, both types of siding come in a wide variety of attractive options.
When first designed and released, fiber cement more closely mimicked natural or cedar shake shingles. However, vinyl siding can be made to very closely resemble the wood grain and naturally uneven look of traditional shingles.
As far as color, both vinyl siding and fiber cement comes in a wide range of colors. If you are looking to change the color of your home, fiber cement is easier to repaint. Further, some fiber cement siding installations come unpainted, allowing you more versatility if you are eager to use a custom color.
On the other hand, vinyl siding comes in a much wider range of varieties and colors. Vinyl siding products can be made to mimic almost any natural siding look, allowing you to more affordably give your home historic character.
That being said, if your number one concern is a natural look without the expense of natural materials, you are likely to be more satisfied with fiber cement. While there are vinyl products that look good, keep in mind that fiber cement siding is manufactured to look nearly identical to natural materials. The installation of fiber cement also replicates the slight irregularities of a natural material installation. Finally, because fiber cement is in part a wood product, it will hold paint and have a surface luster that is nearly identical to full wood products. Even though vinyl products may mimic wood grain, as a material, vinyl is nothing like wood.
Finally, if you live in an area that is designated as historic, there are likely to be restrictions on which kinds of building materials can be used. If this is the case, it is highly unlikely that you could install vinyl siding. However, many historic districts will accept the use of fiber cement as an alternative to natural wood. For those trying to renovate on a budget, this is huge. Just make sure to check with local building codes to make sure that fiber cement is accepted.
Which is more energy efficient and eco-friendly?
In its standard form, neither vinyl siding nor fiber cement does much to insulate your home. What they do provide is protection from both weather and critters. Where brick and stucco can crack, well-installed vinyl or hardiplank siding will keep your home sealed tight.
However, for those who want to increase their home’s energy efficiency, know that there are vinyl siding options that come with a layer of insulation. While most homes in most climates are insulated between their interior and exterior walls, an additional layer between the exterior walls and the siding will greatly increase your home’s insulating ability, or r-value.
Keep in mind that this insulated siding will keep warm air inside your home during the winter and keep the heat of the sun outside during the summer. Vinyl siding does absorb heat during the summer, and an insulation layer will prevent that heat from transferring into your home.
If you are the type of green-minded homeowner that also cares about fuel consumption during the transportation of building materials, also know that vinyl siding is incredibly light, meaning getting the siding to your home requires the minimal amount of fossil fuels.
On the other hand, fiber cement is made from more sustainable materials. Because the wood pulp used in the manufacture of fiber cement is made primarily of wood waste, it doesn’t require the harvesting of trees like natural shingles nor the use of fossil fuels like vinyl. Finally, while there are plenty of eco-benefits to vinyl, disposal of used vinyl siding is a big concern. Disposal of fiber cement is much easier on the environment.
Which is more durable?
Both vinyl siding and fiber cement siding were invented as more durable alternatives to natural materials. While wood siding is very beautiful, it is susceptible to rot and sun wear, meaning it needs to be replaced regularly. This is both a headache and a sizable expense.
Whether you are installing vinyl or fiber cement, you can generally expect to never have to install them again — unless you plan on staying in the same house for over 50 years! That being said, vinyl is considered to be the MOST durable option.
Fiber cement has one drawback. It does absorb moisture. That means if you are installing fiber cement and there is a place where moisture collects, that moisture could eventually damage your home. That being said, in most standard situations, fiber cement should last 50 years or so. In fact, many fiber cement products come with lifetime guarantees.
While vinyl siding, when installed properly, creates a tighter seal, remember, it does expand and contract. If there is an issue with your vinyl installation, this natural process can quickly become a problem. If it expands or contracts in such a way that a gap in the coverage appears, water can enter through that gap. Unfortunately, for most homeowners, this small leak will go unnoticed until enough moisture has entered to make its presence known on the interior of the home. This could result in expensive repairs.
Additionally, even perfectly installed vinyl siding is water resistant, not waterproof. While this distinction may not be too big of a deal under most weather conditions, places where wind-driven rain is common — especially hurricane-prone areas — water can find its way behind your vinyl siding, causing some of the same issues mentioned above.
Plus, wind and debris can more easily damage vinyl siding, as vinyl shows impact more easily and can be pulled in sheets off of the side of your home. If you live in warmer, sunnier climates, this weakness can be exacerbated, as sun and heat can make otherwise flexible vinyl more brittle. In fact, in hurricane regions, fiber cement may actually perform better in terms of both water and wind resistance.
Also, if you do suffer weather damage, fiber cement does have the advantage of being easier to repair. If a portion of a vinyl siding panel is damaged, then the whole panel needs to be replaced. However, if the same amount of damage is done to fiber cement siding, you may just need to replace a couple of individual shingles. This is a much smaller job than a whole panel replacement.
In both cases, durability is contingent upon proper installation. While vinyl may be slightly more durable, if installed properly, both hardiplank and vinyl siding are far more durable than natural options.
Which requires more maintenance?
This one is pretty simple. While it requires far less maintenance than natural materials, fiber cement does require more maintenance than vinyl.
To begin with, unless you are opting for the pre-painted version, fiber cement does need to be painted immediately after installation. If you are the kind of homeowner who paints their own house, that is a lot of work. Otherwise, you will be paying someone else to do that work. Either way, it is more involved and/or costly than a vinyl siding insulation.
Additionally, fiber cement does fade over time. While this is not a huge concern — and again less of an issue than if you use natural materials — it does mean that you will need to paint your fiber cement again sometime in the future.
Finally, in order to be water tight, fiber cement siding needs to be caulked. This will need to be redone at some point as your siding wears.
In the case of vinyl siding, other than periodic cleaning and spot repairs in the event of inclement weather, vinyl is very low maintenance. In fact, most years, you will need little more than some soapy water and a garden hose to keep your vinyl siding in like new condition.
Which is more fire resistant?
When it comes to such an unfortunate situation as a fire, you want your home to be built with as many flame retardant materials as possible.
In terms of siding, natural wood materials are obviously the most dangerous, so both vinyl and fiber cement are upgrades. However, when compared with each other, fiber cement is definitely more flame retardant than vinyl.
The problem with vinyl is that it melts when exposed to very high temperatures. For example, if you have a home with vinyl siding, it is important that you keep your outdoor grill far from the exterior of your home, as the high temperatures of a grill can cause your siding to melt, warp and even discolor. Even setting a cigarette too close to a vinyl exterior can cause cosmetic damage.
Fiber cement however, according to the state of Louisiana, is in the highest flame resistance class, with the same rating as brick.
Which costs more?
This is a tough question to answer and depends on who you ask.
From an initial installation standpoint, vinyl siding is definitely cheaper. According to an RSMeans 2014 Residential Cost data report, vinyl siding costs $201 per 100 square feet to install while fiber cement costs around $300.
This is due to the fact that vinyl siding is easier to install from a labor stand point and comes pre-painted. If you are paying a contractor to paint your fiber cement, that’s an added cost.
Furthermore, if you do opt for insulated vinyl, you will also be recouping some of that installation cost through future energy savings.
That being said, while data is still hard to come by in terms of resale value, as fiber cement products are still relatively new, there are reasons to expect that fiber cement will do well to recoup costs when a home is put on the market. Because fiber cement looks so natural, it has the ability to elevate the curb appeal of a home. Furthermore, because it can be easily painted in versatile ways — as is common in Victorian-style homes — as a material it can be made to really stand out if your home is on the market.
On the other hand, because there are more long-term maintenance costs associated with fiber cement as opposed to vinyl, it can also be more expensive over the life of the siding installation. That being said, the maintenance costs of fiber cement are significantly lower than the costs of natural wood materials!
Which is available in Northern Virginia and where?
Whether you are interested in vinyl siding or fiber cement, if you live in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, or Stafford County, look no further than Sunshine Contracting.
Since 1993, we have been bringing a commitment to unparalleled customer service and an intense attention to detail to all our siding installations.
If you have decided that fiber cement siding is best for your home, we are a preferred dealer and remodeler for James Hardie products, the leading manufacturer of fiber cement. That means that the company responsible for making the most beautiful and durable fiber cement siding trusts us to install in correctly.
If instead you are leaning towards vinyl siding, know that we are Vinyl Siding Institute certified, meaning you can trust us to put your siding on right so that it gorgeous and long lasting.
And if you are still trying to make up your mind, we are here to help you weigh your personal pros and cons. Because we have years of experience working with both materials, you can be confident that we will help you come to the decision that makes the most sense for you, your family and your home!
So contact us today and get started on your new siding installation!
