Should You Pick Vinyl Siding or Fiber Cement Siding for Your Project?

• November 10th, 2010
• In: Fiber Cement, Vinyl Siding
• By: Rob Sabo
• (No Ratings Yet)
  
   Loading ...
• • 

While there are many siding options available today, including natural wood, aluminum, and brick, for many people the choice comes down to either vinyl siding or fiber cement siding.

Both vinyl siding and fiber cement siding share many of the same advantages. They are both attractive, durable, and low maintenance, especially when considered against traditional wood siding.

The difference lies in their material construction. Vinyl siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material is lightweight and durable. The color is molded in during the manufacturing process and it never needs to be painted.

Fiber cement siding is made from a mixture of Portland cement, cellulose fibers, water and sand. The mixture is steam heated and formed into the fiber cement planks. Fiber cement siding is heavier and stiffer than vinyl siding. It is also durable and fade resistant.

One advantage fiber cement siding has over vinyl siding is that fiber cement siding is very flame resistant. Unlike vinyl siding, which can burn or melt, fiber cement siding can actually add some fire protection value to your home.

The main advantage vinyl siding has over fiber cement siding is lower cost. Fiber cement siding is more difficult to install than vinyl siding. This is because specialized tools are required to cut fiber cement siding and also because more people are needed to install fiber cement siding due to its heavier weight when compared to vinyl siding. These things combine to drive up the installation cost of fiber cement siding.

For a do-it-yourselfer, vinyl siding can come out ahead depending on your needs. A skilled homeowner can install vinyl siding as a DIY project, while fiber cement siding installation is usually best left to professional siding contractors. While fiber cement siding can be installed on a DIY basis, it is much more difficult and requires more manpower and specialized tools than a vinyl siding project.

So, taking these things into consideration, which is better, vinyl siding or fiber cement siding? Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer. The true answer depends on your siding project requirements and budget.