One of the greenest types of siding is fiber cement siding. It can come as lap, like clapboard, or it can imitate the more expensive sidings, like stucco, and is available in many colors, or can be painted. Originally offered in the early 1900s, in Switzerland, it was known as asbestos cement sheeting. Asbestos was replaced by cellulose in the later 1980s, and it is now made from sand, portland cement, and cellulose. While manufacturing the cement takes energy, and cellulose can come from dubious sources, it is the durability that makes this siding green. It usually comes with a 25-year warranty.

Fiber cement panels require little maintenance once installed and painted. Fiber cement is weather resistant, though the thicker sheets take impact better, and are noncombustible. It can be used as barge boards, soffits, and fascias, as well as as siding.

Panels are available in different textures—made to look like wood, cement, or even very smooth siding, for a modern, monolithic look. It can be made with matte finish for the Southwest style adobe farmhouse. The variations are endless.

The drawback is that unless it is a small project, installing fiber cement siding is not a do-it-yourself job. Fiber cement panels come in the standard 4 X 8 panels, making them heavy and unwieldy. The panels range in thickness from 4.5mm to 18mm. Being cement, they are brittle, and the thinner panels are fragile until hung. When hung in large panels, allowances for movement from temperature and moisture have to be made.

Installation is done over a house wrap. The panels can be cut with metal hand shears, or a dust-catching saw. Wearing a dust mask is recommended. The thinner sheets can be scored then snapped. Hanging will take two people—one to hold the panel in place, the other to nail it. Once the siding is hung, timber battens cover the joints, and the wall is painted. Wash it down once or twice a year with the hose.

Pricing is higher than vinyl or aluminum, and is about equal with wood prices. The strength and durability of this siding is what makes it worth the extra trouble and expense to have it installed. With weatherproof paint, the house will not need painting for about 25 years.

For a more in-depth look at prices for fiber cement, use our Siding Calculator to get a better understanding.