What is Concrete Siding?
Concrete siding is a type of siding that is created from a mixture of materials. The concrete is a composite material made out of sand, cement, and cellulose. One of the great benefits of concrete is its resistance against harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain, hail, and hurricanes. It is resistant against fire, termites, rotting, buckling, and warping. The best part of this type of siding is that it has the ability to mimic traditional wood siding, but has some additional benefits such as holding paint longer and requiring a significantly less amount of maintenance time.
Customization
Concrete siding comes in several forms. It is available with surfaces that replicate the looks of sawn wood, such as grains and knots. The designs can be placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Additional trims and details are also available to further replicate the traditional wood siding look. It will typically require painting on site, which allows the homeowners to truly customize the look of their siding. In other cases, the siding can also come primed and sealed from the factory so that the homeowner only needs to apply the final top coats on-site. Some factories will supply the concrete completely finished.
Maintenance
This siding requires very little maintenance, making it an economical choice. The paint will typically last 10 to 15 years before repainting is needed. Maintenance is especially important to consider when browsing different siding types. Some siding may have low installation and material cost but will be struck with high maintenance and repair costs. It is possible that the maintenance cost is significantly higher than the cost of installation. Concrete is extremely durable against all types of damage and will benefit a home’s resale value greatly.
Cost
Concrete siding cost is an important factor for homeowners when deciding whether or not to purchase it. The truth is that this siding is not cheap; it can be nearly triple the price of traditional vinyl siding. It is also very heavy and hard to install, which may also implicate additional labor costs. However, the quality of cement is much higher than other building materials, and if taken care of well, can last the homeowners upwards of 100 years. It is less prone to problems and has a beautiful appearance.
For homeowners worried about the difficulty of installation, it comes as a relief that most providers will be perfectly capable of ensuring a smooth installation. They are equipped with tools to streamline the process of moving and cutting the heavy cement panels. Installers will also typically assist homeowners with the painting process if needed.
Final Thoughts
Cement is a popular siding option for both residential and commercial applications. It offers a wide range of colors, options, and an extremely high amount of support and durability. Homeowners searching for the right siding type will find that cement is a solid choice for all weather types. It offers the beautiful look of traditional wood siding without the many vulnerabilities of wood siding.