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Vinyl Siding Basics

Certainly the biggest difference between vinyl siding and fiber cement siding is the actual material(s) used to formulate these popular cladding options. So let’s start out by simply explaining what each of these exterior claddings is made from.

Vinyl siding is made from PVC, which stands for polyvinyl chloride. Essentially, this is a form of hard plastic, although over the decades, manufacturers have modified the chemical makeup to incorporate the ideal mix of rigidity and overall strength for an effective exterior cladding.

Fiber Cement Basics

Conversely, fiber cement is made from a combination of sand, cement and cellulose fibers, which is then mixed with water. The mixture or slurry is then poured into sheets, which are subsequently rolled into specific shapes (shingles or planks), and/or different thicknesses. From here, the sheets are cured using a high pressure technique that hardens and strengthens the fiber cement. Finally, the boards are cut to size and shape, packaged, and shipped off to the stores.

Advantages Of Fiber Cement

Generally, fiber cement boards are heavier and heartier than vinyl siding. Therefore, they are less prone to dinging, denting, and ripping over time. Additionally, they will typically last longer than vinyl siding and therefore offer better long term value. However, their potential maintenance cost could mitigate some or all of this (see below).

Fiber Cement Disadvantages

Cost, which I mentioned before is an important consideration here. Fiber cement is more expensive to buy and more expensive to install. When improperly installed, fiber cement boards can absorb moisture, which can be a real nightmare. This is where hiring a seasoned installer with plenty of installation experience with fiber cement boards is really important. Finally, fiber cement requires periodic painting to maintain its appearance. This can be an expensive process and one that homeowners should consider prior to purchase when they are considering long term costs.

Related Topics: Fiber Cement Siding Colors

Fiber Cement Aesthetics

Certainly a big consideration for many homeowners is how the product looks when it's installed on your home. Fiber cement does a very good job at replicating the look of painted wood boards. If you were to stand right next to the fiber cement, you might notice that the grain looks a little too even. However, from the curb even experts would be pretty hard-pressed to tell you whether it was fiber cement or a real wood siding.

Fiber cement products come in a variety of different styles that include clapboard, board and batten and shingle or shake. In addition, they also are available in a number of different finishes that all mimic the look of real wood, anything from a rough sawn look to a nice modern smooth wood grain.

Vinyl Siding Aesthetics

In terms of aesthetics, vinyl siding is much more of a mixed bag. Premium vinyl siding, including lap board and shingles, can be quite hard to distinguish from real wood, unless you are standing right next to it and run your hand along the board (vinyl panels are often hollow and have more flex than real wood siding). Economy and mid range vinyl boards, however, can be noticeably less pleasing to the eye than a fiber cement or a real wood siding. Most professional installers could tell the difference between cheap vinyl boards and wood from the curbside.

Vinyl siding is available in a huge array of styles and options, from clapboard to board and batten to shingles and in a ton of different finishes and colors. In terms of variety, vinyl siding is much more varied and provides homeowners with a lot more options and looks than fiber cement.

Energy Efficiency Comparison

Neither vinyl siding nor fiber cement is particularly good at insulating a home. Real wood siding has better insulating properties than either of these two options. The one exception to this is insulated or foam backed vinyl siding. IVS attaches a piece of high density foam to the back of each panel, which creates more rigidity, straighter walls, and better R value for the home. Of course, foam backed vinyl siding will typically run a dollar more per square foot for the panels themselves.

Compare On Durability

Vinyl siding is typically a pretty durable product. The one issue that it does face is denting from rocks, hailstorms, etc. Most warranties do offer a hail provision that protects the siding from damage. Likewise, fiber cement is quite a durable product as well. The issue with fiber cement in the past has been that the boards can occassionaly absorb water, which can shorten the durability and lifecycle of the boards themselves.

Maintenance Comparisons And Concerns

In terms of maintenance, vinyl siding is going to be much easier then fiber cement boards. Vinyl never needs to be painted and can typically just be sprayed down every six months with a normal garden hose to get off the dirt and debris. Vinyl siding does typically fade somewhat over 15 or so years. Fiber cement, on the other hand, will need to be painted every 6 to 10 years, which can be expensive unless you do it yourself and then it's obviously quite a time consuming task.

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Related Topics: Vinyl Shake Siding Prices

* Insulated Vinyl Siding Cost