Install Fiber-cement Siding: Don’t Paint Your House for 25 Years!

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Safety first! When sawing fiber-cement siding, be sure to wear a dust mask and eye protection. And protecting your ears from the noise produced by power tools is always a good idea. KEITH WARD

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If you’re building a new home, garage, addition, workshop or barn — or if it’s time to replace the ancient, weather-beaten siding on your house — consider fiber-cement siding.

What is fiber-cement siding, and what are your options? Like conventional siding, fiber-cement siding is applied to the exterior of buildings to protect them from the elements. This product comes in a wide range of colors and styles that resemble conventional siding materials, notably stucco, cedar shingles and wood clapboards. It’s made primarily from cement, sand and wood fiber (often a recycled wood-fiber waste product), a combination that results in an extremely durable material.

Fiber-cement siding typically costs a bit more than vinyl siding, but less than stucco (see “What Will it Cost?” below). It also outlasts its competitors — often by decades — because it resists many common hazards, including fire, wind, insects and rain. Fiber-cement siding is recommended in all climates, but is ideal for hot, humid regions. No matter how wet it gets, it won’t rot. And because of the cement and sand content, it’s termite-resistant.

Because of its durability, fiber-cement siding reduces maintenance costs, and it’s less likely than conventional siding to end up in landfills. Unfortunately, there are currently no recycling programs in place for fiber-cement siding. However, it is an inert material that, if ultimately sent to a landfill, should not endanger the environment.

Although many builders and homeowners are just discovering the benefits of fiber-cement siding, this material has been around for quite some time — nearly 100 years — so you won’t be experimenting with a new product.

Fiber-cement planks made with a wood-grained or a smooth finish are popular. These come in widths of 4 to 12 inches, so you can match existing siding if you’re building an addition or garage. Fiber-cement siding also comes in wall panels with vertical grooves and soffit panels for the underside of overhangs.

Fiber-cement siding can be primed and painted at the factory or on the building site. (Some manufacturers prime all of their products.) I recommend factory-primed and painted siding, which often carries a warranty of up to 25 years. For those who want to do the priming and painting themselves, manufacturers typically recommend an alkaline-resistant primer and a 100-percent-acrylic top coat.

If you want to change the color at a later date, no problem. Water-based acrylic paints adhere well. And fiber-cement siding does not expand and contract as much as wood siding, so paint stays in place better. It rarely peels or blisters, reducing maintenance time and cost.

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