Vinyl or Fiber Cement Siding: which one is for you?

Fall is a great time for home improvement projects like siding replacement. The fair weather makes conditions pleasant to replace windows, patch up roofs, and make an upgrade to your siding. After weighing the options, most homeowners shave down their options to two excellent materials: fiber cement and vinyl. Which one is right for you? Here’s a breakdown of their advantages and disadvantages.

• Fiber Cement: This type of siding is made of a mixture of Portland cement and wood pulp that is formed into shingles or long boards. These are tough, heavy, and need to be directly attached onto your home with nails.
• Vinyl: This material is predominantly made of PVC, which is an extremely durable plastic. The method for attaching vinyl siding is different from fiber cement because it needs to allow room for expansion and contraction with different outdoor temperatures.

The Advantages

Both types of siding can benefit your home and make it look beautiful for years. People choose one material over the other after weighing all their pros and cons. Factors that go into this decision are their local weather, budget, and aesthetic needs. Here are some of the reasons why people choose vinyl or fiber cement.

• Vinyl:
  • Has been the #1 exterior wall material for over 2 decades.
  • Affordable baseline cost
  • low-maintenance
  • Inexpensive to install
  • Can last for 40 years and more, especially think gauge beaded vinyl siding
  • Moisture-resistant
  • Has the largest variety of decorative options such as textures, colors, and designs
  • Available in an insulated form that has a good R-value
  • Resistant to chips and cracks
• Fiber Cement:
  • Won’t expand or contract with different temperatures
  • Easy to maintain
  • Is considered a premium product
  • Durable
  • Moisture resistant
  • Can be painted to match your exact color taste

Disadvantages

Even the best materials have some weaknesses. Buyers must choose their products carefully based on the drawbacks that are inevitable with any product. Here are the things to know before choosing either material.

• Vinyl
  • Not good with extreme temperatures- will expand and contract
  • Non insulated version is thin and has low R-value
  • Low-quality vinyl can melt when exposed to fire
  • Should not be painted so you have to find the exact matching product for your home
• Fiberglass
  • Costs 15-20% more than vinyl siding
  • More expensive to install
  • Less variety of decorative options
  • Not a great insulator (check if there is insulated form)
  • Can absorb water
  • Can crack during the installation process
  • More prone to chipping and cracking during its lifetime
  • More lifetime maintenance required than vinyl
  • Fire-resistant and will not ignite when exposed to a direct flame.

Siding Repair and Installation in Northern Virginia

If you’re interested in upgrading your home’s siding this summer, let us show you some of our top picks from James Hardie, Mastic, and CertainTeed. Whether you decide on vinyl or fiber cement, we can recommend you the best products within these material types.

You can trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing and siding experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.