First developed by James Hardie over 100 years ago, Cement Board Siding is known for being extremely strong as well as resistant to fire, insects and rot. Because it is so highly mold-able, it can appear in a variety of different styles, the most popular being the appearance of wood grain. However other styles, including stucco and smooth appearances, can also be found. Unlike vinyl siding, fiber board will need to be painted, but unlike wood siding it absorbs paint in an enduring manner so that it will never peel and chip, so you won’t need to paint it year after year.
If you choose to install Cement Board Siding in your home, you can expect it to last for the lifetime of your home, but the best part about this type of siding is how low maintenance it is. You can get cement siding that is pre-primed and ready to be painted, or if you’d rather do without the extra hassle, you can get it pre-painted or pre-colored so that all you need to worry about is installing it. This siding is a great choice for homes around areas with high winds and that are also prone to wild fires because of its high resistance to such things. Termites and other pests are also no threat to this type of siding and moisture is not a factor.
As you may have imagined, there are several different ways that you can install Cement Board Siding and contrary to how its name sounds, this type of siding is quite flexible. It installs very much like traditional wood siding and while you can hand-nail it in to a wood frame, it’s recommended that pilot holes be drilled before-hand to make the installation easier. If you’ve ever worked with wood siding, then you have the skills and tools to work with fiber siding as well.
You may find that Cement Board Siding is a little more costly than traditional wood siding or even most vinyl siding, however once you take into account that this type of siding will usually last far longer and have much less maintenance than other types of siding then you will see that paying a little more up front will be worth it in the long run.
Joey Shepherd writes about Cement Board Siding at http://www.HomeSidingOptions.com