Vinyl Siding vs. Fiber Cement Siding

Vinyl siding and fiber cement siding are the two most popular siding choices in the United States. Both choices have advantages and disadvantages that a homeowner should be aware of before making a final decision. Choosing the right siding is an important decision as it affects the exterior appearance of your home for years into the future. To help you make the decision, this post will help you to compare the differences between vinyl siding and fiber cement siding.

Cost

In general, both vinyl siding and fiber cement siding are cost efficient options in comparison to materials like wood or stucco siding. In most cases however, vinyl siding will be lower in cost overall. Vinyl siding materials are less expensive than fiber cement materials. The cost is also lower because it is much easier to install, meaning less labor is required. Additionally, there is no need to purchase special cleaning products for vinyl siding. Most homeowners already have the tools they need right in their homes.

Colors

Vinyl siding and fiber cement differ in color options mostly because of the fact vinyl siding cannot be painted. While fiber cement siding gives you the flexibility to paint your home whatever color you like, unfortunately the paint on fiber cement siding can peel. Because of the fact that vinyl siding is not painted all the way through, if the paint does peel, the raw material will be exposed and create an unsightly appearance to your home. Vinyl siding is a great alternative in that there are a wide variety of colors to choose from, and because it is not painted, it will never peel.

Maintenance

One of the major advantages to vinyl siding is that it requires very little maintenance. Vinyl siding only needs to be washed once or twice a year. All you need to do is use a garden hose and fill a bucket with three parts water to one part chlorine bleach. Other solutions that can work are 1/3 cup laundry soap, 2/3 cup powdered detergent and a gallon of water or a solution made with 30% vinegar and 70% water.  Most homeowners already have these products within their own homes. On the other hand, fiber cement siding requires more maintenance because the paint won’t last. People are often mislead because of the long warranty on the product itself, but the finish won’t last nearly as long.

Installation

The main reason that fiber cement siding costs so much more is because of the amount of labor it takes to install. Fiber cement siding requires a large team to install it because of its weight and composition. Fiber cement siding can also be difficult to cut, making it easy for errors to occur. Installation guidelines from manufacturers can be lengthy and if not followed completely, the warranty on your siding could be void. Vinyl siding is the better option here because it installed quickly and easily, at a low cost to the homeowner.

Moisture

Fiber cement siding is more porous than vinyl siding, meaning is absorbs water much easier. When fiber cement siding absorbs water, it can lead to splits or cracks in the siding. The paint is also more likely to peel in these problem areas. Moisture build up can also cause mold and mildew growth, meaning costly repairs for the homeowner.

In general vinyl siding is a great choice for homeowners due to its cost efficiency, low maintenance, ease of installation and weather resistance.  Advanced Window Systems leads the industry with its premium vinyl siding and would be happy to assist you with your home siding project. Contact us today for a free in home estimate. 860-829-8044.

Image Credit: Vinyl Siding Institute