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Choosing the right materials for your home is no easy feat. From appearance to durability to style options, there are so many things to think about that it can be confusing to know where to start. For home exteriors, specifically, vinyl siding has long proved to be a favorite. However, a new material is on the scene as a possible alternative – fiber cement. Here’s what you need to know about both of them. 

Vinyl Siding

Popularized in the 1960s, vinyl siding has been a favorite for lots of American homes. Like painted wood siding, vinyl comes in a slew of different colors and textures, so there’s an option for your home no matter where your tastes lie. However, vinyl is much more durable than wood siding, so it doesn’t need to be replaced as often. In addition, the durability of vinyl makes it an excellent choice for homes in areas that suffer from harsh weather conditions. It’s quite strong and will protect the home against pest invasion, impacts from falling trees or stray baseballs, and even UV rays. And it is an incredibly inexpensive option for most homes. 

While vinyl siding has sometimes been criticized for its 60s appearance, keep in mind that modern-day vinyl siding is attractive and easy to install. 

Fiber Cement

A somewhat newer siding material on the market, fiber cement is produced by using concrete fibers to create a strong, durable, and weatherproof siding option. One of its best advantages is the fact that it is fire-resistant, like any type of cement. Likewise, it won’t succumb to rot, termites, or other pest damage. 

The main downside to fiber cement is that it takes a special hand for installation. Before they are placed, the boards can be easily damaged if not taken care of properly. Any cracking can be a growing place for mold if not taken care of immediately. The boards also aren’t incredibly flexible, so any repairs or sections that need smaller pieces of siding may need to be done with vinyl. This won’t impact the overall look of your siding. 

Final Thoughts

Vinyl and fiber cement are two great options for any home’s exterior. With durability, style, and weatherproof capabilities, either material will be suitable for you. If you are not quite sure which one will be the best choice for your specific needs, RIHI The Home Improvement Specialist is happy to help you make an informed decision that will be the best for your home. Call us at (866) 563-7293 today.

2 Comments

  • I like how you stated that vinyl siding doesn’t need to be replaced as often as other siding materials. Replacements and renovations have definitely cost us a lot of money in the past few years, so I want to start using materials that can reduce the number of times we need to do this. With that said, I’ll start looking for any contractors in the area that can help us do some final renovations using vinyl siding.

    • RIHI says:

      Hi Afton,

      Thank you for your comment. We are happy you found the post helpful. At RIHI we aim to help our customers with their Roofing, Siding, Window, Kitchen and Bathroom home improvement projects any way we can! We would love to answer any other questions you have about siding and give you a Free No Obligation Estimate that is good for 1 year. Please give us a call at 401-739-1000. Thank you!

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