Siding is an extremely important finishing element of virtually every home in the United States. It performs a number of important functions, both protecting the interior of the house from the elements and having aesthetic qualities that can set our house apart from others.
However, which siding is the best? There is no clear answer to this question. One of the most popular siding is the vinyl one, while is it really the best? However, does fiber cement siding have more advantages? We will try to answer these questions in today's article, so if you are curious about whether vinyl siding differs from fiber cement siding be sure to stay with us!
Andvantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding
Let's start our comparison of fiber cement siding vs vinyl siding with the second one. Vinyl siding is definitely one of the more popular siding in the United States. It is popular mainly because of its affordability and aesthetics. However, what specifically are its advantages?
Now that we've mentioned price, let's start with the fact that vinyl siding is really cheap, especially if you compare it to other siding available on the market. Namely, covering an average-sized house with it costs between $15,000 and $25,000, which is up to 50% cheaper than fiber cement siding. Therefore, we can unequivocally say that vinyl is really cheap.
On the other hand, does such a good price translate into quality? There's no denying that vinyl siding is really resistant to ordinary weather conditions. It is not afraid of gusty winds, heavy rain or hail and snow, however, it is susceptible to dents and cracks. As a result, it may no longer be able to cope in extreme weather conditions. However, this does not change the fact that the strength-to-price ratio in this case is really good.
When discussing vinyl siding, you should definitely also pay attention to its resistance to fire. In this case it is no longer so good, vinyl admittedly is not flammable, however, at very high temperatures it will begin to burn and even quite quickly, however, it should be remembered that these are extreme cases.
But let's get back to the advantages - vinyl siding is distinguished by the fact that it is really available in a wide range of styles and colors, so it can be matched to virtually any aesthetic tastes. In addition, it's really easy to maintain - to keep vinyl siding in good condition it should be treated regularly, and we can be sure that it will keep its good looks for many years.
Advantages and disadvantages of fiber cement siding
Since we have already discussed vinyl siding it is time to move on to the one made of fiber cement. So let's start with the price, as we mentioned earlier this siding is definitely more expensive. Covering an average sized house costs from $23,000 to as much as $35,000.
The just-mentioned price may be daunting, however, it should be noted that fiber cement siding is extremely long-lasting, that is, it ages much slower than vinyl, and is decisively more resistant to impacts and extreme weather conditions. In addition, it is also far more resistant to very high temperatures, as it can only ignite in extreme situations.
It is also worth mentioning that, like vinyl siding, the one made of fiber cement is available in a really wide range of colors, and can therefore meet literally any aesthetic requirements. Moreover, its maintenance is much easier than that of vinyl siding. In order to keep fiber cement siding in good shape, all you need to do is clean it regularly with water, which is really quick and easy.
Summary
In conclusion, both vinyl and fiber cement siding are very good choices when it comes to finishing a house. The most important difference between the two is their price - fiber cement is clearly more expensive. However, in both cases the quality/price ratio is really excellent, so the choice depends mainly on the needs and capabilities of the buyer. On the other hand, we hope that today's article has given you a better understanding of these materials and made your final decision easier.
