Fiber Cement Siding Vs Engineered Wood Siding

Vinyl siding also has composite competitors.

Fiber cement siding vs engineered wood siding.

Engineered for climate to withstand wet or freezing conditions in the north and hot humid conditions and blistering sun in the south. For this reason installers may prefer working with engineered wood over fiber cement. However in the comparison of fiber cement vs engineered wood siding only one meets all the needs that most homeowners have and that s fiber cement. Wood is a classic exterior siding option that comes in many forms from clapboard to shingles to engineered wood products.

Climate james hardie fiber cement siding. Engineered wood siding consists of wood strands or fibers bonded with a resin under heat and pressure. Traditionally oak pine and spruce are the natural wood grains that are used in this style but really any wood grain can be used for lap siding this is the most common style on homes in north america. Via upside to smartside this guide covers both products from all angles that matter to a homeowner looks durability cost of materials and installation and pros and cons of each option.

Homeowners can choose from several types of wood including cypress pine spruce and cedar siding. Engineered wood siding is lighter than fiber cement and comes in 16 foot board lengths for fewer seams compared to fiber cement 12 foot boards. The upside of value. Resists shrinking and swelling in the face of shifting heat and humidity which leads to better paint and finish adhesion.

Even though wood has a long history as a siding material that doesn t mean it looks outdated. In order to select the best siding for your home s exterior it s useful to weigh the pros and cons. Both materials are less maintenance than regular wood and more environmentally friendly than vinyl. Sometimes referenced as clapboard or lap siding.

It is usually what other materials such as vinyl and fiber cement mimic so as to blend in with other homes in the neighborhood or region. The extra panel length makes engineered wood faster to install and can result in fewer seams. Two materials that a number of homeowners consider include fiber cement and engineered wood siding. Requires special tools for installation.

Kramer construction now the main competitor fiber cement is fabricated from a blend of wood pulp and portland cement that is extruded into long boards. Fiber cement lap boards come in 12 foot lengths while engineered wood can be manufactured in 16 foot lengths. The top two engineered lap siding brands are the defending champion hardieplank fiber cement and the up and coming contender lp smartside engineered wood siding. It comes in 12 foot long planks.

It also weighs about 1 5 more than wood siding. This siding can come in longer 16 foot planks. Engineered wood may be less expensive than fiber cement siding. May split or crack over time.

Installers need to wear protection while cutting fiber cement siding due to harmful dust.