Fiber cement siding and vinyl siding are both durable products that are made to last. Each has reliable manufacturers providing quality products. In addition, both are rot and insect resistant.
Fiber Cement Siding and Vinyl are both low maintenance. With baked on color, neither needs to be repainted. In fact, James Hardie’s fiber cement siding comes with a fade warranty. Fiber cement siding can also be ordered primed and ready to paint which allows for more color options. Vinyl Siding will fade over time but can also be repainted using special paints designed for vinyl.
When we consider the difference, fiber cement siding is more flame retardant than vinyl. Vinyl can easily be damaged from an outdoor grill burning too close to your home. In addition, fiber cement has high impact and weather resistance. Vinyl has a higher potential to be damaged from high winds blowing off pieces of siding.
On the flip side, vinyl siding is more energy efficient than fiber cement if insulated vinyl is installed. Fiber cement corrects for this with an extra layer of insulation is installed between your home and the siding. While vinyl has many manufacturers and quality levels on the market, it tends to be less expensive to install than fiber cement.
Whether you choose vinyl or fiber cement, you’ll also want to carefully choose the color combination for your siding and trim. You will also want to consider the resale impact of the color choice before you make your final decision.