Fiber Cement Siding - Cement Fiber Siding - Portland, Oregon

Fiber cement siding is often referred to as "The Miracle Siding".  It is a relatively new type of siding material that looks a lot like wood - but doesn't have the down side of wood (doesn't burn) and it pretty indestructible like vinyl siding - however, it can be painted.  

Q. What is fiber cement siding?
A. While percentages may vary according to he manufacturer, fiber cement siding is an extremely durable material derived from cement, sand, and cellulose fiber. It is made to resemble real wood siding, or pretty much any type of surface for an exterior cladding you care to name. The materials are bonded together by a process called autoclaving, which is basically a treatment of high temperature steam.   

Q. How long will fiber cement siding last?
A. Fiber cement siding is designed to last a lifetime. Fiber cement is five times the thickness of vinyl siding. It will withstand winds up to 130 mph, has a 50year warranty, and will not sag or loose its shape over time. Fiber cement siding is resistant to fire, pests, termites, rot, woodpeckers, carpenter bees, and squirrels and extreme weather.

Q. What are some of the name brands of fiber cement siding?
A. The brand names of fiber cement siding are not as extensive as vinyl siding, however you  may recognize some of these major brand names:

James Hardie Industries manufacturers HardiePlank, HardieShingle, HardieTrim, HardieSoffit to name a few.

CertainTeed manufacturers brands like Weatherboards™ Cedar Groove Vertical Panel, WeatherBoards™ Cedar Lap, WeatherBoards™ Cedar No Groove Vertical Panel, along with many others.

Q. What are some advantages that fiber cement siding has over other options?
A. Fiber cement is one of the most resistant materials there is for your exterior.  Some of the benefits include:

• Insect-proof, because it offers no food source to insects.
• Fire-resistant
• Moisture-resistant, and is not
• Not prone to warping or cracking thanks to the cellulose fibers
• Thick like wood siding
• Can be painted (vinyl siding cannot)
  

Q. What colors can fiber cement be painted?
A. It can be painted any color. fiber cement has the natural look of wood and has great paint retention.

Q. Is fiber cement siding resistant to mold?
A. Absolutely. Fiber cement is sealed to keep out moisture. the coatings contain ingredients that protect against mold growth. If dirt or debris are splattered against the siding, the surface cleans easily with regular water.

Q. Should I have my windows replaced when I replace my siding?
A. Yes. If you need to replace your windows, this is a great time to do it while hte siding is removed. at the same time, it is also a great time to correct ay window insulation issues.

Q. Do you place the soffit and fascia with fiber cement products?
A. If the soffit and fascia is in good repair, we do not replace them unless noted in our contract. However, most of our products include replacement at the same time the new siding is being installed. It also depends upon the condition of the existing products and and the desires of the homeowner.

Q. Does fiber cement need to be painted or stained?
A. It does, but this is generally done at the factory, or by third parties who specialize in this area. Paint adds another layer of protection, as well as adding an attractive look to your exterior.  Fiber cement takes and holds paint and stain extremely well.  This makes for a uniform look from board to board.  Also when it comes time to re-coat, it’s a straightforward job.

Q. What is Fiber Cement Siding's fire rating?
The thickness of the fiber cement siding has a bearing on its fire rating. average HardiePlank has what is referred to as a "1 hour fire rating."  James Hardie Industries has a good analogy for this. Imagine a frying pan on a hot stove. The pan protects the food from direct flame, but the food can still cook.

Q. What is the R-Value for Fiber Cement Siding?
A. It is impossible to generalize for all types of fiber cement siding and all manufacturers but the R value (its insulating properties) is quite low. fiber cement siding by itself will not do too much to insulate your house.

Q. How do I fasten fiber cement to my structure?
A. Fiber cement is installed using corrosion-resistant nails, preferably a galvanized hot tipped nail.  Fiber cement cannot be stapled to a structure.  Attach the fiber boards while also penetrating the studs. Make sure not to sink the nail heads – they should be flush with the surface of the siding.  When attached fiber cement to metal studs, use C-drill screws for exposed fastening, C-wing screws for hidden fastening. For a more detailed instructions, read our Cerber fiber cement installation page.

Q. How much care and maintenance for fiber cement siding can I expect?
A. Fiber cement is known to be a low-maintenance siding option when compared to many others, including many choices in wood siding.  Since it is made to be resistant to a variety of harmful forces – insects, fungus, extreme temperature shifts, rain, UV rays – a lot of the preventative measures you would have to take with other types of siding don’t factor in.  

But like any type of siding, there can be build-up of dirt or residue left by pollution.  The degrees of this depend on where you live of course. The minimum you’ll have to do on a regular basis is a simple cleaning with a garden hose or a pressure washer to remove surface grime.  Your local retailers can advise you on products that remove tougher materials like pollution residue, paint remnants, or oil stains.  Ask them about the best and most environmentally-sensitive products available to serve this purpose.

Q. How long is my fiber cement expected to last?
A. Fiber cement manufacturers place a lot of confidence in this product, and you’ll find that the warranties attached to their lines of fiber cement siding are pretty robust – 50 year structural warranties are not uncommon.  Finish warranties may have a shorter span, but because fiber cement takes and holds paint so well, touch ups are easily done. 

Q. What types of homes do you install fiber siding on?
A. Fiber cement siding is appropriate for almost any home or building. Fiber cement can be used to remodel the exterior of historic homes and buildings where maitaining the original architectural features is important. Fiber cement siding complies with most requirement of the National Registry.

To learn more about fiber cement siding, call us today. We'll provide a free consultation to help you understand the best siding option for your home.  503.668.7533.