Fiber cement siding
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fiber cement siding (FCS) is a building material used to cover the exterior of a house.
Fiber cement is a composite material made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers. In appearance, FCS most often consists of overlapping horizontal boards, imitating wooden clapboard; other formats include imitation shingle as well as sidewall panels and soffit.
Installation of FCS is not unlike that of other clapboard materials: the sheets or boards are cut to fit and then nailed in place. Cutting FCS usually requires mechanized metal shears—the boards are too tough to cut using hand shears, and the cement material will dull most saw blades. While it is very durable once installed, FCS is fairly delicate before; it is prone to chipping and breakage if improperly handled. Additionally, some caution must be exercised to properly ventilate areas where FCS is being cut; long-term exposure to the silica dust generated during the installation process can cause silicosis. Before or after installation, FCS can be painted (for areas of exposure, weatherproof paint must be used).
[edit] Alternatives
Competitors to FCS as imitation clapboard include vinyl, wood and (uncommon nowadays) aluminum siding. Advantages of vinyl include the fact that it has a lower material cost and is easier to transport than FCS due to its lighter weight and its pliability. Vinyl siding, however, is more susceptible to fire damage (or melting under extreme temperatures) than FCS , and can become brittle in cold weather or from long-term solar exposure. Compared to wooden siding, fiber cement is not susceptible to termites or rot.
[edit] Commercial products
Major manufacturers of FCS include:
- Cemplank
- CertainTeed
- James Hardie
- Maxitile
- Nichiha
[edit] See also
- Asbestos shingle, of similar composition and sometimes similar appearance.
