Which Siding is the Better Choice: Cedar, Fiber Cement or Composites?

United Home Experts are the professionals of choice in deciding on the type of siding that will fit a homeowner’s budget and needs. Experts are especially helpful when protecting a New England home against East Coast sudden storms and drastic climate changes. United Home Experts are rated A+ by the Better Business Bureaus in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire. As well, the staff at United Home Experts is always prepared to provide a personal home visit in order to advise on the needs to protecting a home’s exterior.

There are several choices available when deciding to protect a home with siding. Siding offers a low maintenance alternative to stucco or brick. Stucco is labor-intensive, requiring several layers before completion, which raises the cost when choosing stucco. Extreme weather tends to degrade a brick structure, and again raises cost when brick must be replaced. Durable siding designed to withstand harsh weather experienced by homeowners in the East fulfill a need for New England homeowners.The three options explored in this article are fiber cement, cedar siding, and Everlast composite siding. 

Siding made of cedar cut in planks or shinglesadd a warm, lovely touch to the home. Cedar plank siding painted white replicates the traditional Cape Cod clapboard beautifully. Cedar can be installed stained, painted, or without stain or paint. Cedar ages well, and the natural color of cedar will change over time. The anti-fungal and antibacterial properties of cedar means that the wood will not warp, rot, or crack soon after being maintained, but that is only if the cedar is maintained on a yearly basis depending on the weather conditions. With time, the cost of cedar maintenance adds up and can put a burden on homeowners.

Fiber cement siding is a mixture of concrete, sand and cardboard. The result is a long-lasting, weather-resistant material for siding a home and is designed to look like wood, but looks unnatural. A wide assortment of siding colors is available. However, if a color choice is unavailable, unpainted fiber cement can be installed, and the homeowner can choose any color. Fiber cement also is very heat resistant more so than many other products on the market.

Cedar shingles or planks offer a traditional look to a home, whether cedar is painted or allowed to age naturally. Fiber cement siding is pest-resistant and can be made to resemble wood siding. Both options provide a long-lasting, weather-resistant and beautiful exterior to a home. Both are each decent choices for the harsh elements of a New England winter or summer, as well as for both seasons in between on the Eastern seaboard’s extreme climates.

Another alternative to cedar and fiber cement is Everlast Composite Siding, which is highly recommended by United Home Experts. Everlast has the exact looks of cedar and a far superior durability than cedar and fiber cement siding, but offers more with its versatility of being essentially maintenance free and having the capability to paint without any drawbacks. Everlast also costs less than cedar siding, putting an ease to homeowners’ cost budget.

Free evaluations are available through United Home Experts. 

An after photo with Everlast composite siding. Color: Seaside Gray