What is better: vinyl siding or fiber cement siding

Dec 17

Are you looking to replace your siding. A new siding is required regardless of whether your siding is outdated, worn out, inefficient, or old. Vinyl and fiber cement are two of the most common siding options. While they share many similarities (including a low-maintenance appearance), they are very different. This article will help determine which residential snow removal york, PA option is best for you. What option should you choose for your home? Burns Home Improvements LLC can help you with it.

Fiber Cement vs. Vinyl

Both vinyl and fiber cement can be used to create beautiful plank siding. Both can be made in many shapes and colors. Each item can be made to look like cedar planks, shingles, or vertical wood panels. Vinyl siding is just one type of plastic siding. Vinyl siding is mainly made of polyvinyl chloride resin.

Fibre cement is composed of wood pulp, water and Portland cement. There are many brands available for fiber cement siding. James Hardie siding is the most widely used and well-known in the United States.

What is the Best Option?

There are many factors that can determine the type of siding you choose. Every material has its pros and cons.

These are some ideas:

Climate & location of your home
Install only what you can afford
You have the option to change the color of your paint at any time.
How do you envision your home?
When is siding to be installed?
These comparisons of vinyl and fiber cement will assist you in making your decision.

Durability

Vinyl is less durable than fiber cement. Both are durable and can withstand pests.

Fiber cement is thicker and lasts longer than vinyl. This protects your home from the elements. Fiber cement can withstand hail and high winds. It is fire-retardant, warp-retardant, and impact-retardant. Vinyl on the opposite side can melt quickly in excess heat and be damaged by weather changes.

Maintenance

Fiber cement and vinyl are very popular because they require little maintenance.

Paint

Fibre cement is not like wood and only needs to be touched up once in five to ten year. Vinyl siding does not need to be refinished. Before you change the vinyl siding's colour, make sure to check the warranty conditions. Vinyl can be painted with most fiber cement, but this could cause it to lose its warranty. Vinyl can be distorted when heat is absorbed by dark paints.

Cleaning

You will need to clean your siding once a year in order to remove dirt, mold and algae.

Brick and stucco might need to be repaired as mortar or stucco wears down. Vinyl and fiber cement are usually not in need of repair.

Labour

Vinyl can require more maintenance than fiber cement but can also be more labor-intensive. Vinyl may require more replacements (partial and complete), which can raise the maintenance factor.

The following three factors influence the price of a product:

original repair/replacement cost maintenance/repair/replacement cost
Consider other costs when comparing replacement siding prices.

Vinyl is cheaper than fiber cement, but it has a lower initial cost. The cost of both materials is comparable, but fiber cement can be more labor-intensive and time-consuming to install.

Fiber cement is stronger than vinyl if you take a step back. This means it will require fewer repairs and replacements, which can help lower the overall cost.

Installation

Many people don't know what type of siding they can install. It is best to have a licensed technician install your siding to ensure smooth and secure warranty coverage. A properly constructed product will only be eligible for a lifetime warranty. Vinyl is lighter than fiber cement, so it's much easier to transport, cut and install. Fiber cement installation will take longer and is more costly.

Your home's siding is meant to protect it. But homeowners may also prefer to choose to side with it for its aesthetic appeal. You can create many styles with vinyl and fiber cement, including shingles and horizontal and vertical planks. Fibre cement has the best aesthetics.

Vinyl grooves have a luxurious feel due to the thick fiber cement. They look like real wood and give vinyl a natural appearance. Vinyl is not able to produce realistic-looking textures due to its lack of depth. The same can be said for faux stone. Fiber cement has a thicker appearance.

Insulation

Both vinyl and fiber cement are poor insulation by themselves. Vinyl has an R value of 0.61 while fiber cement has a R value of 0.5. These sidings are the least efficient. They can still be very efficient insulators when added insulation is applied. If properly insulated, they can reach an R-value of up to 4. They have a very high insulation rating.

This information may have helped to clarify the differences between the options and their benefits.