Is Fiber Cement Siding Worth It?

The quick answer is decidedly "yes." The long answer depends on how you determine worthiness. If you're looking for a siding option that adds value to your home, or if you're asking if fiber cement siding brings a strong return on your investment, the answer remains a resounding "yes."

For five years in a row, a fiber cement siding replacement has remained at the top of Remodeling Magazine's rankings of returns on investment (ROI) for home improvement projects. Fiber cement ranked first from 2005 to 2009, surpassing the ROI on vinyl siding replacement, minor kitchen remodels, mid-range bathroom remodels, and mid-range roof replacement projects.

Measuring the ROI for Cement Siding

Remodeling Magazine's Cost-Value Report 2009 evaluated the ROI on projects that "replace 1,250 square feet of existing siding with new fiber-cement siding, factory primed and factory painted. Include all 4/4 and 5/4 trim using either fiber-cement boards or cellular PVC."

For 2009, the magazine reports that the average cost of the fiber cement siding job was $13,287, with a resulting $11,112 increase in home resale value. That adds up to an 83.6 percent ROI, the greatest return among all upscale remodeling projects. The magazine has evaluated ROI on home improvement projects since 1988.

Cement siding manufacturer James Hardy estimates that in choosing the fiber cement alternative over wood or other paint-dependent products, a homeowner can save up to $5,000 over 15 years . Other advantages can include 14 percent lower homeowner insurance premiums when compared to vinyl siding replacements. And cement siding companies offer up to 50-year warranties on their products, with a 15-year finish warranty.

That's a worthwhile siding option for homeowners to consider.