Is Fiber Cement Siding Really Worth the Cost?

Is Fiber Cement Siding Worth the Cost?

When it was finally time to redo our home’s exterior, I had no idea the siding options would feel so overwhelming. Vinyl, wood, engineered wood, metal, stucco… and then I stumbled across something I hadn’t seriously considered: fiber cement siding.

What stopped me at first? The price tag. It’s no secret fiber cement siding can cost a bit more up front. But when I started digging into what you actually get for that investment—durability, curb appeal, low maintenance—it started to make more sense. If you’re asking, “Is fiber cement siding worth the cost?”, let’s walk through the real pros, costs, installation details, and comparisons that helped me decide.

What Exactly Is Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber cement siding is made from a mix of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. It’s molded into planks or shingles to mimic wood, brick, or stone—but without all the issues that natural materials tend to bring.

Brands like James Hardie have popularized it, and you’ve probably seen it without even realizing. It looks like wood from a distance, but it holds up like concrete.

What’s the Cost of Fiber Cement Siding Per Square Foot?

We covered this in full detail in our article 👉 What’s the cost of fiber cement siding per square foot?, but here’s a quick breakdown:

Material cost: $5 to $13 per square foot
Installation cost: $4 to $10 per square foot
Total installed cost: $9 to $23 per square foot

Compared to vinyl (around $4 to $7 installed) or wood siding ($8 to $14 installed), it’s clear fiber cement falls on the pricier side. But the lifespan? That’s where things get interesting.

Why Fiber Cement Is Worth Considering

So what makes fiber cement siding worth that higher cost?

1. It’s Built to Last

Fiber cement siding typically comes with a 30–50 year warranty. And most homeowners don’t ever have to replace it. With proper maintenance (we’ll get to that in a second), this stuff is a one-time investment.

2. Resistance to Weather, Bugs, and Fire

It doesn’t rot. It doesn’t warp. It doesn’t attract termites or woodpeckers. Fiber cement also holds a high Class A fire rating, meaning it won’t ignite easily.

Need to keep your siding clean too? We wrote a whole article on how to prevent algae growth on vinyl siding—which, spoiler alert, is also relevant for fiber cement. Algae can grow on anything, but cement siding resists moisture better than most.

3. Beautiful Curb Appeal

You can get fiber cement planks that mimic cedar wood grain, shiplap, or even stone siding styles. It’s sharp, modern, and adds serious resale value.

4. Low Maintenance

Unlike real wood, you don’t have to stain or seal fiber cement every few years. Repainting is usually only needed every 10–15 years. If you want to learn more about siding upkeep, check out our take on how to clean algae off vinyl siding the easy way—a lot of the same principles apply.

What’s the Installation Process Like?

Installing fiber cement siding is not a beginner DIY project. The planks are heavy, and you’ll need special tools—like a fiber cement shear or blade—to cut it cleanly without breathing in harmful silica dust.

Most folks will want to hire a pro, and the labor cost reflects that. But for skilled DIYers, it is possible to tackle with proper safety gear.

If you want to see another project I tackled myself, take a peek at how I cleaned my deck without a pressure washer. That one’s much more beginner-friendly, I promise.

Pros and Cons of Fiber Cement Siding

Let’s spell it out plainly.

Pros:

Fire, rot, and pest resistant
Looks amazing from the curb
Long life (up to 50 years)
Can mimic wood or stone
Holds paint well
Environmentally friendly materials

Cons:

Higher upfront cost
Heavy and harder to install
Can absorb moisture if not sealed properly
May require repainting after 15+ years

If you’re comparing to other siding materials like vinyl or wood, it really comes down to whether you’re playing the long game.

How It Compares to Vinyl and Wood Siding

Vinyl siding is much cheaper and easier to install. It comes in a ton of colors and doesn’t require painting, but it can crack in cold weather and warp in extreme heat.
Wood siding looks great but demands constant upkeep—staining, painting, sealing—and it’s prone to rot and pests.

👉 Our full breakdown of this is coming soon, but in the meantime, check out creating a welcoming front porch with cedar posts and white siding if you’re still leaning toward traditional wood looks.

What About Maintenance?

While fiber cement siding isn’t maintenance-free, it’s very low-maintenance. Just a gentle cleaning once or twice a year with water and a soft brush. Avoid pressure washers—it can strip the paint or even cause cracks.

When issues do happen, they’re usually minor. Occasionally, you’ll need to caulk joints or replace damaged boards. But this is way less frequent than with wood.

Other Things to Consider Before You Buy

Insulation

Fiber cement siding is dense, but it’s not great at insulating on its own. If energy efficiency is important to you, make sure your home has a solid layer of foam board or house wrap behind the siding.

Paint Options

Fiber cement siding comes pre-primed or pre-painted. Factory paint jobs tend to last longer than on-site painting, so I recommend choosing a pre-colored finish if you want to avoid painting it yourself.

Do I Think It’s Worth the Cost?

After comparing everything, I say yes, fiber cement siding is worth it—especially if you plan on staying in your home for a while and want long-term durability. It may not be the cheapest upfront, but you’ll spend less down the line on repairs and replacement.

Still unsure? Look over your current siding situation. Is it fading? Warping? Does it need constant upkeep? Then switching might save you money and headaches in the long haul.