Seal the Deal With Fiber Cement Siding
Chameleon-like, durable and low maintenance, fiber cement gives home exteriors of all shapes and styles a winning edge
Hardie board: Just about everyone who has considered re-siding their house or building an addition or a new home has heard of it. But what is Hardie board, or more properly, fiber cement board?
Fiber cement board in its current form was developed in the 1980s by the James Hardie corporation as a replacement for asbestos cement board. A combination of sand, cement and cellulose, it can be produced in panels, as lap siding and as trim pieces. Because it's durable (many manufacturers warranty the product for 50 years and the finish for 15), low maintenance, available in many sizes and textures, and easily painted any color, fiber cement is an ideal siding choice.
Architects and designers have taken to this material's adaptability. Not only is fiber cement available as a horizontal lap siding for traditional-style homes, but it also comes in panels that mimic stucco for Prairie and Craftsman-style homes, shingle panels for Arts and Crafts-style homes and smooth panels for more contemporary designs.
Although the longest-lasting finishes are factory applied, the material can be painted onsite just like wood siding. This makes for easy touch-ups and repairs as well as the ability to change color. Below are ways to use fiber cement board on home exteriors in a variety of styles.
Fiber cement board in its current form was developed in the 1980s by the James Hardie corporation as a replacement for asbestos cement board. A combination of sand, cement and cellulose, it can be produced in panels, as lap siding and as trim pieces. Because it's durable (many manufacturers warranty the product for 50 years and the finish for 15), low maintenance, available in many sizes and textures, and easily painted any color, fiber cement is an ideal siding choice.
Architects and designers have taken to this material's adaptability. Not only is fiber cement available as a horizontal lap siding for traditional-style homes, but it also comes in panels that mimic stucco for Prairie and Craftsman-style homes, shingle panels for Arts and Crafts-style homes and smooth panels for more contemporary designs.
Although the longest-lasting finishes are factory applied, the material can be painted onsite just like wood siding. This makes for easy touch-ups and repairs as well as the ability to change color. Below are ways to use fiber cement board on home exteriors in a variety of styles.
Color it modern and bold. Available in large, smooth panels, fiber cement board is ideal for the exterior of a modern house. The rectangular grid created by the joints between panels gives the exterior structure and order. The ability to finish the material in any color enabled the architect of this home to articulate each volume so that the design of interlocked cubes is readily apparent.
Use it to blend in. Fiber cement is a chameleon-like material. Whether your site is a high-end suburb, a bucolic country field or a gritty urban zone, it can be colored and arranged to suit the setting.
The secret's in the joint. The fiber cement panels can be butted to each other or can be installed with a reveal between each panel. The James Hardie company has developed a simple installation system when a reveal is desired. While this reveal creates a distinct shadow line that is perfect for a contemporary design, the joints between panels can be treated in several ways.
Joints can be filled with a contrasting color to create a two-dimensional look.
Panel joints can be covered with a contrasting colored fiber cement trim to create a Prairie-style look.
Fiber cement trim also can be colored to match the panels for a contemporary aesthetic.
The ability to combine this siding with other materials is one of its great features. It works in a slick and machined look ...
... and in a more rustic and vernacular approach.
The panels, which can be quite large, can be cut, stacked vertically or placed horizontally in a stack bond pattern.
Make mine traditional. Most fiber cement board is used as horizontal lap siding, ideal for traditional and colonial-style homes.
Many newer homes with traditional styling use fiber cement siding. For a house with a large exterior surface area, the material can be used in a variety of textures as well as for shingles in the upper gables.
It's also available in a board-and-batten configuration.
The material can be finished in a wide selection of colors.
One of my favorite approaches is to use both the lap siding and the panels in a Craftsman-style configuration. This can be especially effective when re-siding an existing house to create something unique.
More:
Fiber Cement Siding in Modern Architecture
9 Top Siding Materials
Fiber Cement Board in Modern Architecture
More:
Fiber Cement Siding in Modern Architecture
9 Top Siding Materials
Fiber Cement Board in Modern Architecture