When looking at siding options for your home there are plenty of materials to choose from. Two of the newest choices for homes are engineered wood and fiber cement siding in Southgate Michigan. They are both great options, but how do you tell which material is best for your home? To help you better understand these newer materials and how they measure up, it is important to break them down to the important features. Understanding the differences in the siding can help you make a more informed buying decision and get the most from your siding project.
Engineered Wood vs Fiber Cement Siding in Southgate Michigan
Has the siding on your home started to look a little dated and boring? Upgrading your current siding to either engineered wood siding or fiber cement siding can make your home look better, be more energy efficient, and add many years to it’s longevity. With the warranty that is offered on either of these siding choices, both can make your home look better which in turn can increase the curb appeal of your home. Here are some of the key differences when it comes to engineered wood and fiber cement siding such as James Hardie siding.
Construction
Engineered wood is not actually wood at all. It is a man-made material that is designed to look like wood, without the problems that comes with wood siding. It will not rot like wood, and is lighter too.
Fiber cement is an incredibly durable and cost effective option made of cement, water, fly ash, sand or wood pump. You can easily paint or stain fiber cement and can be any color. You can also have your fiber cement be smooth or textured, and can even look like wood.
Durability
Fiber cement is an incredibly durable material that far surpasses other siding options like vinyl or wood. It is even fire resistant and resistant to insects and rot. This makes fiber cement ideal for places with wildfires to help protect your home.
Engineered wood is actually even more durable than fiber cement. It can withstand greater impact and weather conditions. But it is not fire resistant.
Eco- Friendliness
Both fiber cement and engineered wood are very environmentally friendly because they do not rely on destroying anything to create it. In fact, both materials actually use reused materials in them.
Installation
Engineered wood has been installed in over a million homes in the United States. Fiber cement has been installed in around 15 percent of new homes in the US.
Engineered wood is easily installed on your home because it comes in planks. You can decide whether you want it flush, or with more of a layered design to help provide more insulation and moisture resistance.
Fiber cement is more difficult to install because it requires special tools. The people working on the install will need to wear special equipment to protect themselves and you need to be very cautious when cutting it. The dust that is expelled when cutting fiber cement is very harmful and should not be inhaled. Fiber cement is also 1.5 times heavier than engineered wood. This is why you should only have professionals with experience installing this material work on your home.
Affordability
With little maintenance and upkeep needed, both of these siding materials are very inexpensive after installation. A simple rinse with a garden hose once a year should do the trick. Both materials are also long lasting and will provide you with a lifetime of protection.
As far as the upfront cost, fiber cement is slightly more expensive due to the installation process. On average, you are looking at around $10 to $12 for every square foot. While engineered wood is around $6 to $10 per square foot.
Warranties
While other warranties from specific stores and manufacturers may also apply to your siding, there are some basic numbers to expect. While both materials are new and it is hard to know just how long they will last without any issues, they are both designed to last a lifetime. As far as transferable warranties, you should expect to see around 30 years for engineered wood and 50 years for fiber cement.
Get a Quote
In order to get a better understanding of the costs involved with getting these types of siding installed on your Southgate Michigan home it’s best to get an estimate from a qualified siding contractor. Be sure to call All Point Construction at 734-407-7110 for a free quote on siding for your home.