One of the advantages of fiber cement siding is that it is low maintenance. Unlike wood siding, which needs to be cleaned and painted on a regular basis, fiber cement siding is both colorfast and stain resistant. However, although fiber cement siding is stain resistant, the fiber cement colors will look best if the siding is cleaned occasionally. If you plan to paint your fiber cement siding you would also want to clean it first. Here are some tips on cleaning fiber cement siding.
- Inspect the siding – Check your fiber cement siding for damage, mold or excessive dirt before cleaning. You’ll want to repair any damaged sections and make note of any areas with grime build-up that will need extra attention during the cleaning.
- Use a Power Washer – You can save on work and effort by carefully using a power washer on your fiber cement siding. Make sure to keep the power washer on its lowest setting and use smooth, even strokes. Do not focus the spray on any one spot for long periods. If you encounter a tough stain attack it by hand instead of trying to power wash it to oblivion. If you use a cleaning solution, make sure it is safe for both the power washer and your fiber cement siding.
- Hand Scrub Trouble Spots – Use a bucket of cleaning solution and a scrub brush to clean problem areas that didn’t come clean with the power wash. After you’ve removed the worst of the built up debris you can power wash the area again.
- Rinse – When you’ve finished washing your fiber cement siding make sure to rinse off all the cleaning solution. You can use either the power washer with clean water or an ordinary garden house. Check your fiber cement siding after it has dried to make sure there are no streaks or stains.
Fiber cement siding is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who like fiber cement’s combination of durability, appearance, and value. One difference between vinyl siding and fiber cement siding is that fiber cement siding more readily accepts paint. Here are some tips on how to paint your fiber cement siding:
Wash the Siding – For best results you’ll want to clean and prep the fiber cement siding so the paint will more readily adhere to the surface. Mix up a solution of 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent and 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner in a gallon of water. Use a garden hose with a nozzle and a scrub brush to wash the siding from the bottom to the top. Avoid using a pressure washer as the more concentrated force of the water can actually damage your fiber cement siding. Make sure to fill in any cracks, gouges, or other damage at this time.
Prime the Siding – If you prime your fiber cement siding before painting you’ll get better results with less chance of the paint peeling or flaking over time. Use an exterior grade acrylic primer specifically designed for masonry or fiber cement siding. Apply the primer with smooth, even strokes, and allow it to dry before painting.
Use the Correct Paint - The best paint for fiber cement siding is a quality, exterior grade, acrylic latex. Check out the list of paints recommended for fiber cement siding at the James Hardie website or consult your local paint supplier.
By following these tips you can repaint your fiber cement siding to freshen its appearance or change its color. If you have vinyl siding be sure to read the post on painting vinyl siding instead.
One of the important things to know about vinyl siding is that it is available in several different grades. While vinyl siding manufacturers may not always label their products by grade, except for the premium lines, it’s usually not hard to determine where any particular vinyl siding product is on the scale once you know how to read the specifications. The three commonly accepted vinyl siding grades are economy, standard, and premium. Here’s rundown on each:
Economy – Economy vinyl siding is the least expensive choice. The main difference between economy vinyl siding and the two other grades is the thickness of the siding panels. Economy grade vinyl siding can range from a thickness of .035″ to .040″. The downside of thinner siding is that it is not as rigid as thicker siding. This means that more care must be taken during installation of economy grade vinyl siding to prevent problems with the siding sagging or warping. Another disadvantage is that economy grade vinyl siding is generally only offered in a few standard color choices.
Standard – Standard grade vinyl siding is typically .042″ to .046″ thick. This added thickness is the main advantage over economy grade vinyl siding. The extra material makes the panels more rigid and reduces the chance the siding will droop or sag. Standard grade vinyl siding is offered in more colors and styles than economy grade siding. In many cases standard grade vinyl siding hits the “sweet spot” for value and cost.
Premium – Premium grade vinyl siding is the most expensive option. Premium grade vinyl siding is typically .046″ to .050″ thick. This extra thickness makes the siding more wind resistant which is why premium vinyl siding is often recommend for areas where high winds are a concern. Premium grade vinyl siding also offers more style and color choices than the other two. Some options, such as insulated vinyl siding, are only offered in premium vinyl siding lines.
While it easy to assume that the more expensive product is better, that is not always the case. You should carefully consider the benefits of each siding grade before deciding which will be the best for your project.
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