Fiber Cement Siding Vs Engineered Wood Siding

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.

Fiber cement siding vs engineered wood siding.

Is easier to install than fiber cement. 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. It comes in 12 foot long planks. Resists shrinking and swelling in the face of shifting heat and humidity which leads to better paint and finish adhesion.

The upside of value. Fiber cement lap boards come in 12 foot lengths while engineered wood can be manufactured in 16 foot lengths. In order to select the best siding for your home s exterior it s useful to weigh the pros and cons. Climate james hardie fiber cement siding.

Wood is a classic exterior siding option that comes in many forms from clapboard to shingles to engineered wood products. Engineered wood may be less expensive than fiber cement siding. For this reason installers may prefer working with engineered wood over fiber cement. Two materials that a number of homeowners consider include fiber cement and engineered wood siding.

May split or crack over time. 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. Installers need to wear protection while cutting fiber cement siding due to harmful dust. 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.

To help you decide here s an in depth look at how engineered wood siding compares to james hardie fiber cement siding. Engineered for climate to withstand wet or freezing conditions in the north and hot humid conditions and blistering sun in the south. Both materials are less maintenance than regular wood and more environmentally friendly than vinyl. 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. Even though wood has a long history as a siding material that doesn t mean it looks outdated. It also weighs about 1 5 more than wood siding. 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.

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. Sometimes referenced as clapboard or lap siding. This siding can come in longer 16 foot planks. The extra panel length makes engineered wood faster to install and can result in fewer seams.

Vinyl siding also has composite competitors.