Smart homeowners know that investing in long-lasting, high-performance siding can make a world of difference when it comes to home value, curb appeal and maintenance. Steel house siding may seem like a safe choice over traditional materials, but can actually present a lot of challenges. But the good news is that there’s an easy alternative that serves as a straightforward solution — fiber cement siding.
Once you learn a little more about residential metal siding, it’s easy to see that it’s not a foolproof exterior. In fact, metal plank siding can run homeowners into a world of issues that could easily be avoided by opting for fiber cement siding. Take a look:
Metal Siding for Houses Seems Like a Better Option At First
It’s not difficult to see the appeal of steel. After all, steel is widely recognized as a heavy-duty material that offers superior strength and resistance to weather — that is, in theory. In reality, metal-sided homes can experience their fair share of deterioration and maintenance.
Steel House Siding Quality
It’s true that galvanized metal siding for houses is typically stronger than wood or vinyl siding, which are prone to damage from wind, water, sun exposure and insects. There is no comparison when it comes to residential steel siding and real wood.
However, it’s important to understand that residential metal siding is not always the same caliber as the structural steel used in heavy-duty construction projects. If it isn’t produced with the right amount of thickness, thin sheet metal siding for houses can become damaged from wind and hail.
Maintenance Needs
Another reason why homeowners consider steel when shopping for the best siding is that they think it will be a low-maintenance product. It’s true that aluminum steel siding does not require the same amount of upkeep — like seasonal painting, staining and caulking — that wood requires.
However, not all steel-sided homes can be considered entirely maintenance-free. There can be a lot of variation in terms of quality, and some stainless steel siding can still show signs of damage over the years, due to sun exposure, rust, staining, and general wear and tear.
While steel siding is a better choice than wood, homeowners should not assume that it’s a foolproof option that requires no maintenance whatsoever.
Fiber Cement Siding Outperforms Steel
Steel siding can be a letdown, but the good news is that there’s another siding material that delivers everything homeowners are looking for when it comes to stronger, longer-lasting, low-maintenance siding.
Fiber Cement Composition and Strength
Fiber cement siding has the enhanced strength that people hope to get with steel. Its unique composition, which includes Portland cement, sand and cellulose fibers, provides excellent durability and strength that is not susceptible to common threats of damage like moisture or pest infiltration. This means that it will look great for years to come.
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Fiber cement siding has a simple installation method for professionals and an easy-to-use clip and track system, which is great news for contractors who are unfamiliar with the product. Not to mention, it truly is a low-maintenance exterior option. A simple rinse with a garden hose is pretty much all that’s needed to maintain its original appearance. The ease of installation and maintenance makes it a better choice than steel siding.
Nichiha Siding Is a Smart Alternative to Metal Sided Homes
Rather than gambling on metal plank siding, homeowners should consider using a product that they know will perform the way they want and need it to. Nichiha siding products are backed by the durable strength of fiber cement, which has been shown to offer long-lasting performance with little to no maintenance.
Plus, the aesthetic choices are vast. Nichiha has an exceptional selection of fiber cement siding available in a wide range of styles that can mimic almost any exterior style on the market including brick, board and batten, wood panels, shake siding, traditional lap, concrete and more!
It’s truly built to last, so homeowners can confidently create curb appeal for their homes that will continue to look great year after year.
Fiber Cement Outperforms Metal Siding House Options
All in all, Nichiha siding is an excellent alternative to steel. Visit the Nichiha website today to explore all of the design possibilities. You can also contact one of our team members to learn more about fiber cement and explore all of the available options.
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