Concrete Siding

Particularly for those who would like a stone facade, concrete board or fiber siding is a great choice because it only costs a fraction of what real stone costs.

In addition to appearing like stone, concrete board siding can be made to look exactly like wood or stucco.

It gives the appearance of conventional wood-based siding materials, but with much lower maintenance needs.

Concrete board siding also maintains its shape and color much better than does vinyl siding.

You get the look of wood, but with the durability and versatility you can only get from concrete.

Another advantage is protection against insect colonies, who are unable to penetrate concrete.

That is particularly valuable in warm climates where termites can be a threat. And it is tops for resisting the effects of excess moisture and weather.

It is extremely difficult for rot to set in with concrete fiber siding.

If you should have a change of heart about what color you want your house to be, concrete fiber siding takes paint extremely well and retains the color longer than other materials.

Concrete Board Siding

The fibers prevent cracking.

Another technique for getting wood grain is to use a separate high pressure molding technique as soon as the siding is cut.

A full color palette of pre-colored siding is available.

Horizontal lap style siding can be made with numerous profiles including traditional, beaded, and Dutch.

You can also use concrete fiber siding to add architectural components to your home.

Pre-shaped concrete board siding is available as random squares with staggered or straight edges, octagons, half-rounds, and shingles.

Vertical concrete siding can look exactly like stucco, can be made smooth, or can be made to mimic the effect of cedar in texture.

Concrete shingles are made in layers to form sheets of specified thickness, and often the wood grain is imprinted onto the siding when the uncured shingle is lifted-up by an accumulator roll and sliced into individual sections.

Concrete soffits can be purchased with either cedar or smooth textures, and they can be vented.

You can also get composite trim materials to beautifully punctuate the architectural design of your house.

Concrete Fiber Siding

Unlike vinyl siding, concrete siding does not fade, buckle, or warp, and it has a Class 1 fire rating.

In addition to withstanding rot and weather, concrete siding resists the damage that can occur with salt spray and ultraviolet sunlight.

It does not become brittle in sub-freezing temperatures, and it doesn't melt in extremely hot temperatures.

Additionally, it is approved for use in historic restorations where other types of cladding aren't allowed.

Some concrete siding products are guaranteed to hold paint for up to 25 years.

Siding Considerations

In most cases, people buy concrete board siding or concrete fiber siding that has been primed, pre-finished, and sealed at the factory.

The factory priming process protects the siding during and after installation.

But, there are some contractors who prefer to buy the product raw and prime, paint, and finish it themselves.

If your contractor wants to do this, be certain to check with the manufacturer to determine if it will affect the factory warranty.

Concrete siding is considered low maintenance, but it does require some care to keep it in top form over the years.

Accumulated dirt can easily be removed using a pressure washer.

You should also inspect all caulked joints each years between board butt ends, doors, and windows.

Any gaps that open due to caulk pulling away can be filled with high quality latex, acrylic, or urethane caulk that complies with ASTM Standard C-920.

Caulk meeting these specifications is available in hardware and paint stores.

Concrete Exterior Siding Cost Factors

When it comes to siding, three main factors determine your overall costs: material costs, labor costs, and the cost of application of stain or paint.

When you compare total costs, concrete board siding costs up to 75% less than natural stone, over 35% less than cedar siding, and almost 25% less than wood siding.

Conversely, concrete siding costs a little more than hardboard siding in most cases.

Concrete siding is generally not a DIY project because of the special tools and techniques necessary to install it.

The first step in finding a contractor for installing concrete fiber siding is to hire an experienced professional with solid references.

Check out work that the contractor has already done.

Look at joints to ensure they are evenly caulked and tidy.

Once you find a contractor whose work you appreciate, discuss your options with regards to colors, pre-finishing, and painting.

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