If you are in search for a great looking, more durable, but cheaper alternative to wood siding, fiber cement siding is an option to consider.

Because of the many benefits this material offers to homeowners in terms of price, durability, longevity and style options, fiber cement siding is one of the most popular siding materials among homeowners.

To get started on your siding replacement project, contact your local siding pros for FREE ESTIMATES!

How Much Does Fiber Cement Siding Cost?

Average Material Cost per Square Foot	$1 – $8
Average Total Cost per Square Foot (includes installation)	$5 – $12
Total Cost over 2,000 Square Foot Area	$11,000 – $24,000

Expect to pay between $1 and $8 per square foot for fiber cement siding materials, depending on the siding style and brand. This makes fiber cement siding a mid range siding option.

Including professional installation, fiber cement siding costs $5 – $12 per square foot. That means that a 2,000 foot area will cost between $11,000 and $24,000, including installation costs and materials.

When buying fiber cement siding , expect the cost to vary depending on several factors, including the type of fiber cement siding you choose, the region you live in, and the finish you use.

You can use our Siding Cost Calculator to estimate the cost of installing different siding materials on your house.

Cost of Fiber Cement Siding vs. Other Siding Types

Fiber cement siding is just one of many siding materials choices on the market. Each siding option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Carefully comparing your options is the best way to ensure that you end up with the right siding type for you.

The table below summarizes the cost per square foot for the most popular siding materials, including fiber cement.

Note, that these estimates are for siding materials only, and do not include the cost of professional installation.

Material	Average Cost per Square Foot
Fiber Cement Siding	$1 – 8
Aluminum Siding	$4 – 8
Vinyl Siding	$1.20 – 4.25
Natural Stone siding	$20 +
Brick Siding	$8- 13
Wood Siding	$4 – $10
Stucco Siding	$5-9

What Is Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber Cement siding is often called HardiPlank and HardiPanel as these are brand names for fiber cement siding manufactured by James Hardie Building Products.

Fiber cement siding is made from portland cement mixed with ground sand, cellulose fiber, and other additives. It is available in a variety of thicknesses that range between 4.5-18mm.

The material also varies in density – the lower density results in a fibrous rough edge when cut, while the higher density has a clean smooth edge.

Density and thickness are both important factors to consider when buying fiber cement siding.

As a rule of thumb, the thicker and denser the product the better resistance it will have to temperature fluctuations and sound transmission.

Fiber cement siding is manufactured either as planks or panels. Planks are made to resemble long wood planks.

They are typically 12 feet long and have varying widths. The width gives fiber cement siding it’s “reveal”, or the amount of plank visible on lap siding.

Panels are bigger sheets of siding ( typically 4 ft x 8 ft) and therefore cover a broader surface area per piece than planks. Fiber cement panels are often used to mimic vertical siding.

What Types of Fiber Cement Siding Are There?

There are four main types of fiber cement siding: vertical planks, clapboards, shingles and shakes, and large-form boards.

You can purchase each type of fiber cement siding in a range of colors and finishes. Some finishes that are commonly available include wood-grain, smooth, or rough-hewn.

When looking into fiber cement siding, you will notice that clapboard is the most common type. In terms of dimensions, most clapboards are 5/6” thick and twelve feet long, with varying widths.

Vertical panels are another choice for fiber cement siding, although like vertical panels in vinyl or wood, this choice is slightly less popular. Vertical panels come in a wide range of lengths and widths, and are frequently combined with other fiber cement siding types such as clapboard.

You can also purchase long-form boards, which are commonly used in contemporary and modern architecture. Long form boards are sure to give your home a cutting-edge appearance.

The size of long-form boards varies significantly, and the options are generally customizable for your needs.

A timeless option for your fiber cement is shingles and shakes. Shingles are either available in individual shakes or in strips that are usually four to twelve feet long.

If you are looking for a natural wood appearance, shingles and shakes are probably your best option.

Refinishing Fiber Cement Siding

One of the disadvantages of cement siding is that it requires repainting or re-staining. Luckily, when compared to wood, fiber cement needs repainting or re-staining infrequently.

Anticipate repainting or re-staining every ten to fifteen years, meaning you will likely need to refinish your fiber cement siding about three to five times during its lifespan.

Although refinishing your home is a hassle, it also gives you the opportunity to change up the look of your home and have your siding look as good as new.

You can choose from an almost infinite array of colors when you decide to repaint or refinish your siding, making fiber cement a very versatile choice.

Installing Fiber Cement Siding DIY

It is not recommended to install fiber cement siding DIY, unless you have experience in fiber cement siding.

That is because fiber cement siding is very difficult to install. It is a heavy material, weighing 2.5 pounds per square foot. If not handled properly, the fiber cement may crack and become damaged during installation.

Furthermore, installing fiber cement siding requires specialty equipment, which is expensive to purchase.

All in all, you should likely leave fiber cement installation up to the professionals.

How Long Does Fiber Cement Siding Last?

Fiber cement is one of the more long-lasting siding types. If you properly maintain your fiber cement siding, it can last for as long as half a century or longer.

One of the reasons fiber cement lasts so long is because it is moisture resistant. There are some ways to ensure that the siding remains resistant to moisture, which can increase its lifespan.

You should regularly inspect the caulking of the fiber cement to be sure there are no cracks in it. Additionally, keeping your gutter system clean and well functioning will ensure that there is minimal water damage possible to the siding.

Can I Purchase Fiber Cement Siding Trim and Accessories?

If you want to match your trim and accessories to your siding, purchasing fiber cement trim and accessories is an excellent way to do that.

Most fiber cement companies offer a range of choices for trim and accessories, and some even sell them in affordable bundles along with siding.

When choosing the color for fiber cement trim and accessories, you have a few options. First, you can directly match the trim and accessories with the siding, giving your home a seamless appearance.

You can also choose a neutral shade such as white or cream that will blend into the background.

Alternatively, you can choose a color that matches your siding or adds a pop of color to your home exterior. All these options and more are possible with fiber cement siding.

It is possible to have non-fiber cement trim as well. Some fiber cement siding companies such as Woodtone even offer wood trim and accessory options to give the home a naturalistic appearance.

What Are the Best Fiber Cement Siding Companies?

The market is full of companies supplying fiber cement, and some are more reliable than others. Listed here are some of the most popular and trustworthy fiber cement companies to choose from.

Allura Siding

The company Allura is best known for producing CertainTeed siding, one of the most popular vinyl siding options in the industry. In addition to vinyl siding, Allura also produces fiber cement siding known as Plycem.

Plycem comes in standard choices, including shake and shingle, clapboard, vertical planks, and long-form boards. It comes in a range of colors.

Allura fiber cement siding is a top competitor of James Hardie, and its a great choice if you are looking for a beautiful and reliable siding brand.

Nichiha Siding

While Nichiha siding, a Japanese company, is best known for their commercial fiber cement siding, they also offer residential siding.

They produce unique large-form fiber cement boards with a crisp, modern appearance, as well as shakes and shingles.

If you want to purchase Nichiha siding, you will need to request it through your contractor as the siding is not available through standard retailers.

Finex Siding

Like Nichiha, Finex sells large-form fiber cement panels that have a distinct contemporary appearance.

Unlike Nichiha, Finex is more readily available in North America, and the company is better known for their residential options, although they do also produce commercial fiber cement siding.

James Hardie Siding

James Hardie is one of the best known fiber cement companies around. The company specializes in fiber cement, and their primary product is called HardiPlank.

James Hardie sells a wide range of fiber cement siding that comes in a selection of colors, styles, and finishes.

Like Allura, James Hardie siding is an excellent choice if you are looking for standard, reliable fiber cement siding.

American Fiber Cement Corporation

If you are building a large scale commercial project, American Fiber Cement Corporation should be your go-to. They offer specialty products that are fade resistant, meaning you will have to re-finish less frequently which is a big advantage for large buildings.

Woodtone Siding

For fiber cement siding that closely resembles the appearance of real wood, choose Woodtone. They are a small, up and coming company best known for its Rustic Series, that has an embossed wood grain and looks very realistic. Woodtone offers trim that is available in either fiber cement or real wood.

GAF Weatherside Siding

GAF has monopolized the shake and shingle fiber cement siding industry. Weatherside fiber cement shakes and shingles are available in retail stores like Home Depot, making them very easy to purchase.

If you are looking for shakes and shingles, GAF Weatherside is a good choice.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Aluminum Siding

If you are looking for an affordable alternative to fiber cement, aluminum siding is an excellent choice. It is light, making it easy to install.

On average expect to pay $6-8 for aluminum siding, and anticipate low installation costs.

One disadvantage of aluminum siding compared to fiber cement siding is that it will require insulation in cold climates, whereas fiber cement is naturally insulated.

In recent years, it has become trendy to install aluminum siding panels or modern/contemporary styles homes. Its actually possible to combine aluminum siding with other materials, including fiber cement.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding options out there, mostly because of how affordable it is. Vinyl siding materials cost as little as $1.25 – 4.75 per square foot, but also cost a lot less than fiber cement for installation.

Also, vinyl can be easily installed DIY, whereas fiber cement installation should be left up to the professionals.

Fiber cement is well-suited for colder climates because of its natural insulation properties. In comparison, vinyl siding is poorly insulated, although it is possible to purchase insulated vinyl.

One of the main disadvantages of vinyl siding is that it is not moisture resistant.

Vinyl siding is very prone to damage from moisture, and may become warped or rotted. In contrast, fiber cement does not have these issues.

Vinyl siding also has a much shorter lifespan compared to fiber cement siding, about half as long. While fiber cement needs to be refinished every ten to fifteen years, there is a chance vinyl siding will need to be replaced in that time frame.

Overall, while vinyl is more affordable than fiber cement, fiber cement is generally a better quality product.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Natural Stone Siding

One of the main differences between fiber cement siding and natural stone siding is the price. Expect to pay between $30 and $50 per square foot for natural stone siding per square foot, which is significantly higher than the cost of fiber cement siding.

Like fiber cement siding, natural stone siding is heavy and difficult to install. Also, it is similarly moisture resistant and weather resistant, and lasts up to a century.

For a rustic appearance with impeccable protection against the elements, choose natural stone siding. However, once you choose natural stone siding it cannot be changed, unlike fiber cement siding.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Brick Siding

Brick is a much more expensive option than fiber cement siding, costing between $15 and $25 per square foot, including installation.

Brick is a beautiful, rustic option that gives the home a unique appearance. Also, brick can be easily combined with other siding options. With proper care, brick siding can last as long as a full century.

One disadvantage of brick compared with fiber cement is that it is not versatile. Brick makes up the home structure, so brick siding is installed during home building.

While brick can be painted, doing so is very expensive. In contrast, fiber cement siding can be painted frequently any color of choice.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Wood Siding

While fiber cement mimics the appearance of real wood, nothing can beat the rustic, warm appearance of real wood siding. Oftentimes when fiber cement siding attempts to mimic wood siding it falls somewhat short.

Another advantage of wood is that it is much easier to install than fiber cement and can be installed DIY.

However, fiber cement has some advantages over wooden siding. For one, fiber cement is moisture resistant whereas wood siding is very susceptible to moisture damage such as rot, warping, insect infestations, and mold.

Another advantage of fiber cement siding compared to wood siding is that fiber cement is significantly cheaper, costing only $1 to $8 per square foot whereas wood costs between $5 – $12 per square foot.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Stucco

Like fiber cement siding, stucco siding mimics the appearance of real wood siding. It is a durable and long-lasting material, and many consider it very similar to fiber cement siding.

Engineered hardwood stucco siding can last as long as thirty years, which is slightly less than fiber cement’s lifespan.

One disadvantage of stucco siding is that it is quite expensive. Expect to pay about $11-14 per square foot for stucco siding, including installation.

Pros & Cons of Fiber Cement Siding

Here is a run down of the most common benefits and disadvantages associated with installing fiber cement siding on your home.

PROS

Economical:

While fiber cement siding is more expensive than vinyl siding, it is still significantly cheaper than wood. This makes it a great option for homeowners who are looking for a high quality siding material without the premium cost.

Compare vinyl siding cost cement siding.

Durable:

A major benefit of fiber cement siding is that it is more durable than wood or stucco siding. It is better to purchase the thicker/denser fiber cement products because they have excellent impact resistance.

On the other hand, the thinner less dense varieties of fiber cement siding need to be protected from impact.

Another advantage is that compared to wood siding, fiber cement is not susceptible to termites, fungus or rot. When properly painted and installed, it is also not susceptible to moisture.

Moreover, HardieZone fiber cement siding is engineered to withstand tough characteristics of the North American climate, such as freezing cold temperatures, strong sun and hurricane-force winds.

It is common for fiber cement siding to have a warranty of up to 50 years.

Fire resistant:

Fiber cement siding is a non combustible material, which makes it ideal for homes located in regions prone to bush/forest fires.

Low maintenance:

Once installed and painted, fiber cement siding requires minimal maintenance. You will still need to repaint fiber cement siding every 4-5 years, but this is still not be nearly as often as you would have to repaint wood siding.

To prolong the length of time until you have to first repaint the siding, it is possible to purchase fiber cement products that are primed or primed-and-painted at the factory.

While this is initially more expensive, this saves money and hassle down the road, since the paint is applied at the factory under optimal conditions.

Therefore, this coat of paint lasts a lot longer than conventional paint applied after the siding is installed.

Great Curb Appeal:

Fiber cement siding offers homeowners an opportunity to make the exterior of their home highly visually appealing.

This siding can be manufactured to resemble stucco, wood clapboards, or cedar shingles, depending on how the panels are textured.

Many homeowners love cement fiber siding becomes it comes the closest to emulating a natural wood grain. Premium grade fiber cement siding is often virtually indistinguishable from some wood siding products.

Moreover, trim and millwork pieces are also available to provide design detail for the home.

CONS

Difficult Installation:

One disadvantage of fiber cement siding is that it is difficult to install. Consequently, this installation is likely to cost you more than installing some other types of siding.

Fiber cement siding is a very heavy product and requires two people to carry the uncut sheets and then install them once they have been cut.

Before installation, fiber cement siding is very fragile and is prone to chipping and breakage if improperly handled.

This means that you should choose your contractor wisely and hire a professional who has a lot of experience installing fiber cement siding.

Storage Issues:

Fiber cement siding, while is moisture resistant – is not immune to moisture. If stored in conditions where it is exposed to element (not on the house), it will soak in water, and the freeze cycle will cause cracks and breakage of panels.

This will render such panels unusable for installation. Cement siding must be stored in dry warehouse – never in the open, even if wrapped in plastic.

Return On Investment of Fiber Cement Siding

One of the advantages of fiber cement siding is that it has a very high return on investment (ROI).

The ROI of fiber cement siding is as high as 87%, meaning that if you sell your home, you will receive back 87% of the money you paid for your siding in the selling price of your home.