Fiber Cement Siding:Lean, Mean and Green

What you will learn: how fiber cement siding is made, about the long-lasting quality of fiber cement siding, how low maintenance fiber cement siding is less stressful on the environment.

Fiber cement siding is an example of continuing industry innovation which has been in place for a century. The production of fiber cement rises to meet the demands of the consumer market for look and durability. But there are also other factors at work when choosing fiber cement siding as an exterior – environmental responsibility.

It has been well-established that your choice of siding has everything to do with first impressions. After all, the exterior covering of a residence or commercial building defines the overall look of that property, and has the most overt visual impact. Of course there are many other factors to consider after this as well, which are equally well-established. Overall durability, insect resistance, burn resistance, and other factors absolutely play into the decision-making process when choosing siding. Fiber cement siding covers these requirements to an impressive degree. For instance, fiber cement has a zero burn rate, making it perfect for areas which are known for brush fires. Fiber cement siding is also insect proof, making it a very attractive siding option in more southern regions. But fiber cement siding offers an extra beneficial dimension that is being recognized more and more; that of environmental responsibility.

How fiber cement is made

Fiber cement is a sturdily manufactured material made to resemble wood, to gain that homey exterior feel that many homeowners, developers, and architects are looking for. But the benefits of this innovation have the further benefit of being a green building material, using sundry materials to make a new material that stands as an alternative to more traditional wood siding. The resulting fiber cement siding is a sturdy siding alternative that is made through the best possible use of materials. Fiber cement siding itself is made from a combination of cement, sand, and cellulose fiber, which have been steam pressurized to form a compact material that more than serves as excellent siding. The efficient use of base materials stands as a hallmark of innovation, but also as a means of creating a long lasting product.

Long-lasting fiber cement

It is often wrongly assumed that if a material is green, than a certain quality and durability is lost. This is far from the truth. Part of how green building materials like fiber cement siding are defined is how long they last. A great deal of confidence has been rightly placed in the robust quality of fiber cement siding. More and more projects are incorporating fiber cement siding because it is such a tough material, backed by excellent finish and structural warranties. And such a long lasting material further defines it as a green building material. The durability not only means the preservation of its original look, but also means fewer instances of replacement due to warping, weather and moisture damage, or heat damage. This means less material is needed to maintain the look you want over a long period of time. The longevity of fiber cement means that less material may end up as refuse, or as a further demand on natural resources when replacement boards are needed.

Low maintenance siding

Another aspect of fiber cement siding as a green building product is its low maintenance qualities. Fiber cement siding is largely a complete product by the time it reaches the work site. It is factory painted and sealed, allowing optimum results in the creation of its outer sheen. Further, the composition of cement fiber siding allows it to absorb and retain paint and finish for a very long period of time. This means less re-painting, less re-finishing, and an overall reduced amount of chemical products being used over the lifespan of the siding.

Tough fiber cement siding!

Fiber cement siding is a tough material, designed to last, and designed to perform its function with minimal fuss. It is because fiber cement is such a robust siding option which makes it a green building option as well. Fiber cement uses readily available materials to optimum effect. The resulting siding is a long-lasting option, minimizing on replacement boards, furthering the efficiency of its design. And fiber cement is low maintenance, needing fewer chemical treatments to protect it from wear. In this case, "green" can be confidently associated with high-quality, high-performance, and enduring visual appeal!

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