If you're looking for durable and attractive siding for your home, consider fiber cement. This siding is heavy, so it's durable and stands up to storms. You may be interested in fiber cement siding if your old siding had problems with storm or insect damage. Here are some things you may want to talk about with a fiber cement siding contractor when you're deciding if this siding is a good choice for your home.

What Is Fiber Cement?

Fiber cement is a material that can be formed to look like wood siding, but it can take on any look depending on how it's made. Fiber cement siding can look like stone, logs, or cedar shingles. Be sure to ask the fiber cement siding contractor to show you all the styles and colors available.

To make the siding, cellulose fibers are mixed with sand and cement to form the siding panels. The ingredients are fused together with heat to form thick and heavy boards or shakes that protect your home.

Do You Need To Paint Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber cement siding can be painted at the factory when it's manufactured. That saves you from having to paint it once the siding is installed. However, you can also buy siding that isn't painted and have it painted later, or you can paint it yourself. You'll need to paint the siding occasionally over the years to keep your home looking well-maintained.

However, since the siding resists insects, mold, and damage from extreme temperatures, you shouldn't have to make any repairs. Besides occasional painting, maintenance may only consist of washing the siding every year or so to remove dust, dirt, stains, and pollution.

How Long Does Installation Take?

It might take a week or more to complete the installation of fiber cement siding. The siding is a little more complex to install than vinyl, so it could take longer. Once you've signed the contract, the permit is obtained and the supplies ordered. In addition to the fiber cement boards, the installation includes checking the wall for water damage and repairing any rotted areas that are found, and then applying house wrap.

There will be a dumpster on site for collecting your old siding, and you'll hear construction noises during the day, but you don't need to leave your house or change your routine while the work is going on.

You may also want to discuss the cost with your fiber cement siding contractor. The siding costs more than vinyl, but less than cedar wood siding. The expense is worth it since fiber cement has a long life and it doesn't need much maintenance.