Fiber Cement Siding | James Hardie Siding
Often referred to by the name of its inventing company, James Hardie, fiber cement siding is an exceedingly popular exterior material. First invented by James Hardie, it was brought into the construction market in the 1970s. The product combines, as the name suggests, cement and wood fibers, to create a remarkably durable product. As soon as they were available for purchase, James Hardie boards took over the market. People from all walks of life—homeowners and professional builders alike—embraced the product for its long-wearing makeup and beautiful aesthetic. Combining the much-praised low-maintenance aspect of vinyl siding with the beautiful aesthetic of wooden planks, fiber cement was an overnight success.
HISTORY AND MANUFACTURING OF FIBER CEMENT SIDING
As its name suggest, fiber cement siding is made from a combination of cement and wood fibers. These two principal ingredients, when mixed with sand, adhesive, and water, are rolled out and pressed into the desired shape. Panels that resemble natural wood are the most common form, though many have appreciated their investments in fiber cement versions of brick, stone, and shingles, amongst others. Once the mixture has been shaped, it is baked in a high heat oven to remove any excess moisture. From start to finish, the creation of the product takes between 24 and 48 hours. Most manufacturers guarantee the product as it offers such remarkable durability.
It was not long after James Hardie introduced his ground-breaking new product that competitors began to appear. Despite a crowding market, James Hardie Company had a leg up in being the first. They quickly became the most popular exterior materials provider in the United States, which is a position that they hold to this day. Over the years, James Hardie engineers have had the opportunity to perfect their product, making it lighter and even more durable than the original. They have also developed a number of climate-specific formulations, allowing for regional variation in the makeup of the product.
ADVANTAGES OF FIBER CEMENT SIDING (HARDIE SIDING)
James Hardie siding is a popular exterior material amongst homeowners and professional builders. the product offers a remarkable mixture of traits, including the most widely-praised characteristics of other popular siding products.
Here are a few of the major benefits of fiber cement siding:
Highly Adaptable Appearance
Thanks to its malleable and synthetic nature, fiber cement can be manufactured in almost any form. If you want the look of planks, bricks, shingle, or stones, fiber cement can give it to you. Also offered in a wide range of colors, the material is well suited to any style of home or building.
Extreme Durability
Properly installed fiber cement siding is practically invulnerable. The issues that commonly plague other siding materials, such as rot and denting, are rendered moot by the concrete fabrication of the product.
Resistant to Insects and Rot
Natural wood siding is fiber cement’s most commonly compared competitor. While it is a beautiful product, wood is also vulnerable to a number of issues with rot and pests. Termites and precipitation are both quite fond of the materials. Fiber cement, on the other hand, is not susceptible to such issues as its cement deters these encroaching vulnerabilities.
Structural Stability
Again thanks to its concrete fabrication, fiber cement does not experience any great changes in shape or form over its lifetime. Not vulnerable to swelling or shrinking in accordance with the weather, the product offers remarkable reliability. You won’t have to worry about your paint chipping or cracking with the changes in the seasons, nor will you have to sand or scrape the siding when it comes time to repaint.
Fire Resistant
One of the most remarkable and economically advantageous traits of fiber cement is its resistance to fire. A number of insurance policies provide discounts to homeowners who have fiber cement materials installed on their exteriors, as it is something of an insurance policy against fire in and of itself. It also brings a significant measure of inner peace to those who live within these fire-resistant walls.
Available with Primer and/or Paint
Most fiber cement manufacturers offer their products in a variety of shapes and colors. The boards, shingles, bricks, and panels can all be shipped to customers with a factory-applied coat of paint of primer in the color of the customer’s choosing. While pre-colored versions are often more expensive, they are a worthwhile investment. Factory-applied materials typically last much longer than the aftermarket version. They also typically come with an impressive warranty lasting around fifteen years.
James Hardie Colors available:
Arctic White | |
Woodstock Brown | |
Navajo Beige | |
Cobble Stone | |
Traditional Red | |
Autumn Tan | |
Monterey Taupe | |
Heathered Moss | |
Boothbay Blue | |
Countrylane Red | |
Sandstone Beige | |
Khaki Brown | |
Timber Bark | |
Mountain Sage | |
Evening Blue | |
Iron Gray | |
Chestnut Brown | |
Aged Pewter | |
Sail Cloth | |
Gray Slate | |
Rich Espresso | |
Light Mist | |
Night Gray | |
Pearl Gray |
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Most manufacturers offer warranties on their products, ranging from thirty to fifty years. These guarantees offer coverage and replacement for any factory errors, though they do not cover outside damage. Warranties make fiber cement a reliable financial investment.
FIBER CEMENT SIDING INSTALLATION
Fiber cement products are very low-maintenance and require little upkeep. They provide incredible benefits to homeowners in terms of curb-appeal and structural support. If you are on the lookout for a beautiful new exterior that won’t take time out of your day for cleaning and repairs, you are looking for fiber cement. James Hardie is the largest and most reliable manufacturer of the product, and the group that El Paso Siding works with on a regular basis.
Experts in the field recommend that fiber cement exteriors be installed only by highly trained, professional builders. The material can be tricky to install, and you want to ensure that the people doing the job are licensed and experienced. In terms of the longevity of the product, the installation of fiber cement siding is just as critical as the caliber of the material itself. As a matter of fact, installation is so critical that fiber cement installed by non-licensed individuals can render void certain home insurance policies.
Here at El Paso Siding, we meet all the criteria and then some. We are fully licensed, highly trained, and have years of experience under our belts. Give us a call—we would love to help you bring the appearance and structural stability of your home or building to a whole new level.
Give us a call for a free estimate on your building: (915) 600-7033
Or E-mail: info@SidingInElPaso.com