Fiber cement siding is a mix of cement, sand and wood fiber, and it is one of the best siding choices for homes around Coeur d'Alene. It does not burn, it does not rot, woodpeckers leave it alone and it holds paint well through freeze-thaw weather.
It is heavy, and it has to be installed differently from vinyl or wood. Planks are blind-nailed or face-nailed to the maker's schedule, with joints backed by flashing so water cannot get behind a butt joint. We keep the bottom edge clear of grade and the ends clear of roof surfaces, because cut edges that sit in snow or on shingles wick up water and the planks can swell and crack.
Cutting fiber cement makes silica dust. Our crew cuts with dust-collecting saws or shears outside, never inside the garage or near open windows.
Most fiber cement comes pre-primed or with a factory finish. Factory finishes hold their color longer than field paint. We caulk only where the maker says to, since caulking the wrong joints can trap water.
For homes in the wildland-urban interface, the noncombustible rating is the main reason to choose it. Embers blown ahead of a wildfire collect at the base of walls and in corners, and fiber cement will not catch. Compare with vinyl siding if budget is the main concern.
