Is Fiber Cement Siding the Best Siding for Homes in Virginia?

While siding certainly helps maintain your home’s curb-side appeal, its chief purpose is much more integral to your home. Siding is your home’s first line of defense against inclement weather and outside conditions. There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing the right siding for your home, and one of the most important factors to think about is the weather. The climate of Virginia is quite mild compared to other areas across the US, yet that does not necessarily mean it is not susceptible to volatile weather every once in a while. In this article, we will be looking specifically at fiber cement siding and whether or not it is the best siding for homes in Virginia.

Signs Your Siding Needs to be Replaced

Firstly, however, how do you know when it is time to replace your siding? There are a few tell-tales signs. The important thing to remember is if you do not replace your siding as soon as you notice any of the below signs, it is highly likely you will run into more extensive and expensive damages in the future. Here are a few signs your siding needs to be replaced:

• Cracked or peeling siding
• Warped siding
• Fungus or mold growth
• Peeling paint or wallpaper on interior wall surfaces

Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding

Now let us take a look at the benefits of fiber cement siding, which is in fact one of the most popular siding choices for many homeowners. Some benefits include:

• Versatility: There are many different types of textures you can choose from. You can also custom color match to make sure it suits the overall aesthetics of your home. Fiber cement siding also comes in a range of different shapes and sizes.
• Durability: Fiber cement is comprised of cement, sand and wood pulp and holds a class A fire rating. The color does not easily warp or fade. It is also resistant to wind, insects and rain.
• Installation: The cost of installing fiber cement siding is often less expensive than other materials like natural stone, brick, cedar, wood or hardboard siding.
• Maintenance: Thanks to its durability, fiber cement siding does not cost much to maintain. It can last longer than five decades if properly cared for.

How Much Does It Cost?

Fiber cement siding can be costlier than other types of siding. However, while the initial cost of siding is often more expensive, thanks to its durability, homeowners often save money in the long run by choosing fiber cement siding. Also, 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 overall size of your house and the surface area that needs to be covered. 

Is it the Best Choice for Homes in Virginia?

Fiber cement siding is ideal for all types of climates, yet it is especially ideal for hot and humid climate zones, of which Virginia can be susceptible. Also, no matter how wet fiber cement siding gets, it will not rot, which is good for the humid weather Virginia can experience. Furthermore, fiber cement siding does not shift with changes in temperature or shake in strong winds like other siding materials. And, due to fiber cement siding being mainly comprised of cement and sand, it is termite-resistant.

A Final Word …

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.