Cement siding in Atlanta is uniquely suited to the Atlanta metro area when it comes to protecting homes. Why? Because contrary to the general impression that Atlanta experiences relatively mild weather, it can be directly affected by some of the most extreme weather on the planet. And when it comes to siding that can stand up to the most damaging storms nature has to throw at us, cement siding in Atlanta is far and away the toughest of the bunch.
Extreme Weather and Atlanta Cement Board Siding
Were you aware that more tornadoes are reported in metro Atlanta than in any other part of Georgia? Especially in northern counties, such as Dekalb, Fulton, and Cherokee, the question of tornadoes is a matter of when, not if. Add to twisters the occasional tropical depression that sits over the city, and you've got yourself the makings of some severe storms that can produce serious problems for home siding. Hail, high winds, and airborne debris are all very real possibilities in Atlanta, and the only siding that can stand up to that kind of beating is Atlanta cement siding. In fact, cement board siding in Atlanta has such a good track record in the face of harsh weather that many cities and counties across the nation have incorporated it into their building codes to help reduce the amount damage that has to be dealt with after extreme weather events. If that doesn't open your eyes to the toughness that is cement siding, not much will.
Cement Siding in Atlanta Outperforms the Competition
Of course, cement siding in Atlanta shouldn't be something you buy on the offhand chance your home gets swept up by a tornado and dropped in the Land of Oz. The truth of the matter is that cement siding outperforms other siding materials across the board, in any weather, any season, and under any conditions.
- Atlanta Cement Siding vs. VinylVinyl is often advertised as being a rough and tumble material. It's true that high grade vinyl siding holds up better than most metal and wood siding materials when it comes to sustaining impacts, however it's not fool proof. A major hailstorm can leave vinyl looking like it's been shot through with a machine gun, and in the rare instance that the winter temperature in Atlanta does plummet (the all time record low in Atlanta is minus 9 degrees!), vinyl can be rendered brittle and prone to cracking. Cement siding in Atlanta has no such issues, and it can be repainted when its color fades instead of having to be replaced.
- Atlanta Cement Board Siding vs. AluminumAluminum has one significant drawback: it dents very easily. In a climate like Atlanta's where major thunderstorms are commonplace and hail is not unusual, that's a bad trait to have. Add to that neighborhood kids hitting backyard pop-flies with an eye on playing for the Braves someday, and it's pretty easy to see why Atlanta cement siding is preferable to aluminum every time.
- Cement Siding in Atlanta vs. Steel SidingAtlanta gets more annual precipitation than Seattle, WA, and the humidity in north central Georgia is legendary. Not exactly ideal conditions for a product like steel that rusts when exposed to the elements. On the other hand, cement siding in Atlanta is immune to water and moisture damage of any kind.
- Cement Board Siding in Atlanta vs. Wood SidingWood, be it pine plank siding or cedar shake, can't be rivaled for looks. Or can it? Believe it or not, cement siding in Atlanta takes many forms, including those that mimic wood plank and shake siding to a T, without the potential for incurring damage from moisture, impacts, insects, or fire.
Cement siding in Atlanta is simply a superior product on just about every front. About the only complaint Atlantans might have about cement board siding is cost. It can run a little more than other siding materials, especially vinyl and aluminum siding. Divide that final cost across a life span that's backed by a 50 year warranty, however, and suddenly even cost isn't much of a deterrent for cement siding in Atlanta. If you're looking for an ideal product for Atlanta home siding, cement siding is as close to a perfect fit as you're going to find. 
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.