The last few decades have seen many homeowners trying to avoid the expense and hassle of wood siding by replacing it with vinyl siding. Does vinyl siding last as long as wood siding? How does it compare to fiber cement siding? Is vinyl siding truly maintenance free?
In this article, we are going to compare vinyl siding to fiber cement siding so you can make an informed choice. Special thanks to Allura for the infographic below showing some quick facts about fiber cement siding.
Cost
This is always an important factor for homeowners. You can find cheap vinyl siding if cost is your top concern. But, a good quality vinyl siding runs about $10 per board. Fiber cement is in the neighborhood of $8 per board.
Durability and Maintenance
If you have ever had wood siding, you already know how labor intensive the maintenance can be. This has led many people to look at vinyl siding. While vinyl doesn’t need to be painted every few years, it does have a tendency for the color to fade within a decade. Vinyl is also easy to crack or even break more easily than you would imagine. While it’s true that the boards snap in and out fairly easily, the color will most likely not match, unless your siding is only a year or two old.
On the other hand, fiber cement siding does not peel, fade, and is much more sturdy than vinyl. It won’t get damaged in a hail storm and it is very difficult to break. It doesn’t warp or fall off due to freezing temperatures, either, which is something vinyl cannot claim.
Curb Appeal
Some people are sold on vinyl when they discover that they don’t have to paint it. Unfortunately, if you should grow tired of the color, you have no choice but to replace it as vinyl cannot be painted. Vinyl siding is also well-known for fading so unless you choose a light color, to begin with, your home will not look the same 10 years down the line.
Fiber cement siding, however, can be painted as often as you like. If the idea of painting doesn’t appeal to you, that’s fine too. Most people find that their fiber cement siding looks exactly the same 20 years after installation. Also, choosing fiber cement gives homeowners several types of house siding choices when it comes to design and texture. Vinyl siding can look like wood grain, but you can tell the difference from the curb. Fiber cement siding, however, is often mistaken for cedar and most people don’t know the difference unless they touch it.
