Is Fiber Cement Siding Suitable for Homes in Virginia?

When it is time to replace the siding of your home in Virginia, it is important to choose the right materials. After all, siding does much more than simply maintain your home’s curb-side appeal. Siding is also your home’s first defense against the weather and conditions outside. Luckily, the climate of Virginia is considered mild compared to the areas of the United States, but that does not mean it not susceptible to volatile weather every so often. Therefore, when replacing your home’s siding, it is important to pay attention to the material you use. In this article, we are going to look specifically at fiber cement siding to determine whether or not it is suitable for your home in Virginia. 

Benefits of fiber cement

Fiber cement siding has a range of great benefits. In fact, it is one of the more popular choices when it comes to choosing siding. Some of the benefits of using fiber cement siding include:

• Versatility: With fiber cement, there are many different types of textures you can choose from. You can also do a color matching to ensure it suits the overall aesthetic of your home’s exterior. Fiber cement siding also comes in a range of different shapes and sizes.
• Durability: Fiber cement siding is comprised of durable products (such as cement, sand and wood pulp), holds a class A fire rating and the color does not easily warp or fade. It is also resistant to common hazards such as wind, insects, and rain.
• Installation: The cost of installation for fiber cement siding can be less expensive than installing other materials such as natural stone, cedar, wood siding and hardboard siding.
• Maintenance: Because of its durability, fiber cement siding does not cost much to maintain. It can last for longer than five decades if cared for properly. If well looked after, all it needs is a fresh coat of paint every few years.

Return on investment

Choosing fiber cement siding offers a significant return on investment. According to a Remodeling Cost vs Value Report, fiber cement siding offers an 89.0% return on investment when installed in a home. It is worth considering fiber cement siding for your home in Virginia on this information alone.

Is it the right choice for my home in Virginia?

Fiber cement siding is a recommended material for all different types of climates, but it is especially ideal for hot and humid conditions, which Virginia can be susceptible to. Also, no matter how wet fiber cement siding gets, it will not rot. Fiber cement does not shift with changes in temperature or shake in strong winds such as other materials, like vinyl. And due to its cement and sand content, it is also termite-resistant.

How much does it cost?

Fiber cement siding can be more expensive than other types of siding. Fiber cement tends to be more expensive to install because it requires the installer to remove the existing siding plus carry out additional preparations. Though the initial cost of fiber cement siding is more, thanks to its highly durable nature, you can save money in the long run. The final cost of fiber cement siding is determined by other factors, such as whether the siding is pre-finished or needs to be painted on-site, the style of paint, the type of siding and the size of your house.

The verdict

As a strong and sturdy mixture of cement, sand and wood pulp, fiber cement siding stands up well against almost any weather Virginia may experience, making it an excellent material of choice when you next need to replace your siding.