Vinyl sheet piling has captured a large portion of the siding industry due to its price point and ease of installation. It has been marketed as an affordable, 'maintenance-free' alternative to wood. While siding manufacturers have improved the quality and appearance of vinyl siding, in the end, vinyl siding is still plastic with its inherent problems.

For those looking to avoid the maintenance of traditional wood siding, vinyl siding is often the choice for their homes. They hope that by doing this, they can find something maintenance-free, durable and attractive that will give them long-term results. Unfortunately, many of these same homeowners end up disappointed or frustrated when they discover that their vinyl is not as maintenance-free as they expected. For those of you looking for a truly durable, low maintenance, and attractive home siding option, comparing vinyl and fiber cement board may provide the answer you've been looking for.

Compare Wall Panel Types

There are many factors to consider when considering which wall panels to install. If cost is the only factor, inexpensive vinyl siding is the obvious choice. Vinyl siding manufacturers know, however, that this is not the only decision for homeowners, as they manufacture many types of vinyl siding to make them more durable or more fade-resistant, or realistic.

Durability and Maintenance

Most siding products look like wood, and almost all siding products look good when installed. Obviously, some people look more realistic than others. Some vinyl siding has a less plastic look than another vinyl siding because of additives that create a matte finish. Stencils can create more realistic textures.

The look of wood-lapped siding is what all siding seeks to replicate. More expensive vinyl siding comes close, but vinyl J channel trim definitely gives it away it's not. Regardless of the cost of vinyl siding, its plastic moldings are a sure bonus, not wood. Fiber cement boards use a trim and installation process that is closer to wood installation. The fiber cement board manufacturing process allows for more realistic wood grain.

Appearance is not the only or most important factor when considering siding. How it has performed over the years. Vinyl siding boasts that it maintains its appearance and does not require refinishing. However, like all surfaces, vinyl siding is affected by weathering, UV rays, dirt, and grime, dulling and discoloring the finish over time. Vinyl siding can be repainted, although there are some issues. Usually, the grain in the siding will be covered by the coating, but as the siding expands/shrinks more, the paint doesn't hold up as well as other surfaces.

Fiber cement boards are pre-finished or primed and ready to be painted. The finishing systems used by fiber manufacturers are specially manufactured for this substrate and come with a 15-year warranty. Since fiber cement board does not expand and contract like vinyl, the coating performs well. It looks closest to painted wood than any other wall panel. With the introduction of a "stained" look, fiber cement can even be compared to a translucent stained look.

Fiber cement board not only looks better, but it is also superior to vinyl siding in many other areas. Fiber cement boards are resistant to extreme weather. Unlike vinyl, it excels in the relentless southern sun and the biting cold of the north. That's because it doesn't expand, shrink, or soften, and it becomes brittle when it's hot and cold. From Alaska to the tip of Florida, fiber cement is the way to go.

Fiber cement also resists impact better. Many homeowners are trying to figure out how to replace a piece or two of siding when the lawn mower kicks up a rock, or the lawn mower has to be turned off, or the wrong golf ball is hit, or worse, a hailstorm. Cracking and breaking of vinyl siding are very common. Fiber cement is impact resistant and stays strong even in hailstorms.

Vinyl siding can also experience "blow-off," where the wind blows the siding away from the house. Not as serious but annoying, vinyl siding rattling in the wind. Fiber cement panels can withstand wind speeds in excess of 100MPH and survive hurricanes. The last house standing in Hurricane Michael was with fiber cement panels.

Fiber cement board has a Class A fire rating, which means it won't burn or melt. An increasing number of homes in California and other fire-sensitive areas are requiring it or other antimicrobial non-combustible panel products as their first line of defense. Unlike vinyl, you don't have to worry about your gas grill melting your siding or UV rays reflecting off your neighbor's windows warping your siding.

Fiber cement boards are as low maintenance as many homeowners would like. It is more durable than lightweight vinyl. In fact, fiber cement board is so durable and low maintenance that it's actually worth the money compared to the time and money most people put into siding materials and maintenance over the years.

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