For homeowners that want the look of wood but dont want the hassles
and costs associated with it, fiber-cement siding may be a satisfactory
alternative. This product is available from several manufacturers in a
variety of textures that are said to provide the appearance of wood.
Fiber-cement siding should be more durable than wood -- it is
termite-resistant, non-combustible, and warranted to last 50 years.
Details
Fiber-cement siding is composed of cement, sand, and cellulose fiber
that has been autoclaved (cured with pressurized steam) to increase its
strength and dimensional stability. The fiber is added to reinforce the
concrete and to prevent cracking, which is inherent in concrete. The
planks come in 5" to 12" widths and are about 5/16 inches thick.
I
nstallation
Like wood siding, fiber-cement siding is installed over studs or
exterior wall sheathing with an appropriate water-resistant barrier,
using galvanized nails or screws that penetrate into wall studs. The
fiber cement planks should be cut with a blade designed specifically
for fiber-cement dust reduction, such as Hitachi's Hardiblade or
Dewalt's PCD Fiber Cement Blade. Alternatively, snapper shears, or a
guillotine-type cutter can also be used. For finishing, fiber-cement
products come either primed or unprimed. They require an
alkaline-resistant primer, and manufacturers generally recommend using
a 100% Acrylic topcoat.
Benefits/Costs
Manufacturers emphasize that fiber-cement siding is appropriate for hot
and humid climates because it is resistant to rot, fungus, and termite
infestation. They also state that it has excellent weathering
characteristics, strength, and impact resistance.
The installed costs of fiber-cement are reported to be less than
traditional masonry or synthetic stucco, equal to or less than
hardboard siding, and more than vinyl siding.
Limitations
The color is surface-applied and the topcoat requires maintenance.
There are restrictions on blind nailing products with greater widths
due to wind uplift. Face nailing can be used with all products, but
staples cannot be used at all. Excessive dust creation while cutting
may require additional control methods. Please consult manufacturer's
recommended practices when these conditions are present.
Code/Regulatory
Fiber-cement siding is recognized as an exterior cladding by the
National Evaluation Service (NES), Inc. and has issued National
Evaluation Reports (NER). On February 1, 2003, America's four
building-product evaluation services officially combined their
operations under the International Code Council. The four "legacy"
evaluation services that came together to form ICC-ES were the National
Evaluation Service, Inc.; BOCAI Evaluation Services; ICBO Evaluation
Service, Inc.; and SBCCI Public Service Testing and Evaluation
Services, Inc. Information on these NERs can be obtained by contacting
ICC at their web site shown below (www.icc-es.org) or by clicking on
any NER report number listed below under contacts.
Availability
Products are commercially available. Check your nearest building
supply store or contact the companies below for location of
nearest distributor.
Disclaimer: The
information on the system, product or material presented herein is
provided for informational purposes only. Courtesy of the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/FHA),
