Vinyl Siding vs. Fiber-Cement Siding

Vinyl Siding

When a new home is being built or an older home renovated, one of the first questions addressed is the type of siding that should be put on the home. If the homeowner is looking for something less expensive than brick or rock, vinyl siding and fiber-cement siding are the siding types of choice. These two types of siding have sky-rocketed in popularity over the past decade due, in large part, to the increases in manufacturing and application technology.

Recent data suggests that fiber-cement siding gives homeowners the 2^nd highest recoup value at 69.4% while vinyl siding gives homeowners the 3^rd highest recoup value at 66.8%. This indicates that both siding choices are great investments for homeowners looking to increase the value of their home while not spending a fortune.  Both siding types offer homeowners energy savings and both offer your home a nice clean look.

Here are a few differences between the two types of siding.

Durability is a deciding factor for many homeowners. A siding made of fiber cement is more durable than sidings made from vinyl. The fiber cement siding comes with inter-laminated bond strength, which makes it a great choice for cold climates. However, vinyl siding is usually warranted to last for a long time and can take some punishment without denting or cracking.

Fiber Cement Siding

Perhaps the biggest factor when deciding on siding type is cost. When comparing cost, the fiber cement siding’s cost is a bit higher than that of the vinyl siding. As an affordable alternative to other sidings, vinyl siding is cheap, as the manufacturing cost is low. Another thing is that vinyl siding is also environmentally friendly, as it can be recycled. This plays a big role for many homeowners who make buying eco-friendly products a priority.

Vinyl siding comes in many different colors and never has to be painted; just a simple wash with the garden hose is needed. Fiber-cement siding on the other hand will need to be re-painted over its lifetime, but not often. Both vinyl siding and fiber cement siding come in different textures and can mimic the look of other types of siding such as wood siding and brick.

So what are these two types of siding made of? Vinyl siding is composed of Poly Vinyl Chloride resins, which are combined with other elements. Acrylic components are used when making vinyl siding to make it resistant to denting and extreme weather conditions. Other chemicals, are also added to vinyl to protect its color from fading. Fiber cement siding is a combination of cement, sand and cellulose.

For more information on siding or if you would like someone to come out and give you a quote, find a Dallas-Fort Worth contractor in our featured contractor directory.