Pittsburgh Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is growing in popularity all over the country, and for good reason. It is extremely durable, looks great, and can hold up under many different conditions. An excellent choice for Pittsburgh, cement siding is well suited to high humidity, moisture rich environments. It is also resistant to many of the ailments that tend to affect other siding materials.

Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding in Pittsburgh
While no two households have the exact same needs, all properties in Pittsburgh undoubtedly have to deal with the great span of environmental conditions that area presents. Moisture is, in many capacities, a very harmful factor for a wide variety of building cladding materials. It causes significant damage to wood, can cause some metals to rust, and takes its toll on paint. Even vinyl and aluminum siding can breed moisture problems if water seeps underneath them.

Pittsburgh's combination of high moisture levels, hot summers, and wintertime freezes can really pose a threat to some materials. It is resistant to both moisture and the insect life that moisture brings. Since neither hot sun nor cold temperatures have much of an effect on fiber cement siding, Pittsburgh households can rest easy knowing that their investment is being protected all year round.

Fiber cement siding holds paint better than many other surfaces. It doesn't burn (though some materials used to finish it may ignite), scratch, or dent. It has a very long life expectancy and, often, a warranty to match. Cement siding is a relatively low-maintenance material. A periodic power wash and a new coat of paint every decade or so is about all you need for maintenance. Fiber cement is also considered a "green" material because it doesn't negatively affect the environment. Also, during production, unused cement siding scraps are recycled to make new material.

Cutting Fiber Cement
This is one place where fiber cement siding must be handled with caution. After it is installed, it is a very safe material, but while it is being cut, it produces a dust that shouldn't be inhaled. Do-it-yourselfers should be sure to research the special tools and techniques that are used to cut the siding to the right size.

The Appearance of Fiber Cement Siding
Aside from all of its great technical attributes, fiber cement siding just plain looks good! The material is formed in the factory to look like wood shake, shingles, or stucco, and it does a pretty convincing job. For those who live in an older section of Pittsburgh, cement siding will be attractive enough to stand side-by-side with any other home in the neighborhood. In fact, fiber cement siding can be used in historic preservation areas where other materials might not be welcome.

Pittsburgh Cement Siding Prices
Though estimates will vary depending on who does the work and how much of it there is to do, Pittsburgh residents will most likely have to pay between $5,000 and $8,000 to clad their home with fiber cement. This is around the same price as that of natural wood siding (but without many of the maintenance problems associated with wood). Fiber cement siding is generally more expensive than vinyl or aluminum siding but less costly than brick or stone.