Siding

Fiber Cement Siding in Round Rock

It is widely used on the side walls of newer houses, and it is the usual replacement for older wood and hardboard.

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What It Is

Short version

A plank made of cement, sand and wood fiber. It does not rot and termites do not eat it.

It is brittle and heavy, so installation details matter.

It needs paint and caulk kept up, like any siding.

Fiber cement took over from pressed hardboard because it does not swell when its paint fails. That makes it a good fit for Central Texas, where a west wall takes long summer sun and the occasional hailstorm.

It comes as lap planks, as panels with battens, and as shingle-look pieces for gables. Planks come either primed for painting on site or finished at the factory.

A stack of long gray planks on sawhorses in a side yard with a power tool on top, pale dust on the grass and a wooden fence behind

Installed Right

Detail	Why it matters
Gap above roofs, decks and slabs	A plank sitting in water wicks it up and the paint peels.
Nails at the right height	Too low and they show. Too high and the plank can drop.
Joints over studs, flashed behind	A bare butt joint lets water behind the wall.
Cut ends sealed	The cut edge is the plank's most absorbent surface.
Dust control when cutting	Cutting makes silica dust. Crews use shears or saws with dust collection.

Each manufacturer publishes its own installation requirements, and its warranty depends on them. Ask which product is going on and ask for the instructions.

When It Goes Wrong

Cracks. Usually from movement in the wall, from nails driven too close to an edge, or from impact. Hail of the size seen here in 2023 can crack or chip planks. Peeling paint at the bottom edge. The plank is too close to a roof or the ground. Loose planks. Nails missed the stud or were over-driven. Open joints. Caulk has aged out. Recaulking and painting is routine upkeep, not a defect.

Because the city requires no permit for siding replacement, there is no city inspection of any of this. Use the wall checklist.

Questions About Fiber Cement Siding

How long does fiber cement last?

The plank itself can last decades. The paint and caulk on it need renewing on a much shorter cycle.

Can fiber cement be installed over old siding?

It is normally installed on a wall stripped to the sheathing, so the wrap and flashing can be done properly.

Is it the same as the brand name people use?

People often call all fiber cement by one maker's name. Several companies make it. Ask which one is being quoted.

Keep Reading

Siding replacement Siding repair Hail-damaged siding Soffit, fascia and trim

Thinking of Fiber Cement?

Say what is on the walls now, if you know.

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