by Kathleen Whitlow
Fiber cement siding, a building material used on the exterior of commercial buildings and homes, is a enduring and resilient material, but also has a natural look. This form of surfacing the outside walls of a structure is put in with solid wood sheathing and foam insulation. Being impervious to moisture damage, this building material will survive termite attacks, not crack or rot, and is non-combustible, making it a commonly used material in fire prone areas.
Wood is a material that many homeowners would prefer to use for the exterior of their homes, but it is a much more costly and irritating option. Fiber cement framing has a warm, natural look, like that of wood, but is even sturdier, and is a wonderful accent to stone or brick. It is also available it a variety of styles so that it is able to match any sort of architecture imaginable.
Fiber cement siding is made up of water, finely-ground sand, natural fibers, and premium cement. The composition is them cured with pressurized steam so that the siding that is produced is the most heavy-duty siding that can be found. The final product, once it is installed, will require very little maintenance, if any, on the part of the homeowner or building owner. The boards of fiber cement that are used during installation are usually overlapped horizontally so the appearance of wood is given.
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