Fiber Cement Siding Takes a Front Seat
Not just a wood or vinyl substitute, fiber cement is a stellar siding choice in its own right for modern home exteriors
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
Fiber cement contains a mix of cellulose fiber material, Portland cement, silica, sand, water and other additives, according to Victoria Ballard Bell's helpful book Materials for Design. Panels made with it are also called Hardie board, after the name of their number-one manufacturer. Fiber cement replaced the asbestos cement sheeting of Hardie board used until the 1980s, when it was banned for obvious reasons.
This history has not stopped Hardie board and other manufacturers' fiber cement products from becoming a commonly used siding for houses. More than just a heavy-duty replacement for wood or vinyl siding (fiber cement panels are termite and rot resistant and virtually maintenance free), this material can have its own aesthetic, owing to larger panel sizes and the various color treatments that can be used. The following examples show some of the design variations possible with fiber cement panels.
This history has not stopped Hardie board and other manufacturers' fiber cement products from becoming a commonly used siding for houses. More than just a heavy-duty replacement for wood or vinyl siding (fiber cement panels are termite and rot resistant and virtually maintenance free), this material can have its own aesthetic, owing to larger panel sizes and the various color treatments that can be used. The following examples show some of the design variations possible with fiber cement panels.
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| This photo of the popular Moontower Residence in Austin, Texas, illustrates the versatility of fiber cement relative to traditional siding. One volume is covered with horizontal siding, while the other is board and batten; both are capped by the same corrugated metal roofing and treated with a similar color palette. |
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by Nic Darling
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| The 100K House — a pilot project in Philadelphia for entry-level urban homes — is a simple box that garners attention from the vertical random vertical striping of two colors of fiber cement panels. Note how the windows are the same width as the panels, therefore becoming part of the overall pattern — or lack thereof. |
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| This house shows a jump in scale in terms of panel sizes, but also how fiber cement can be used alongside other materials. It acts as a frame on this facade, wrapping around volumes covered with materials of a finer scale and different color. I like the way the door is tucked in the gap between the panels and the white volume. |
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| While the materials in the previous example were similar in color and tone, this project is about contrast. Fiber cement panels and wood planks are articulated in a way that the former read like two-dimensional pieces layered over the latter. |
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| Fiber cement panels in this prefab house cover a small volume, while cedar siding is used for the larger bar. The slate-blue color is carried into the space between the windows on the second floor. |
A closeup of the slate volume shows the exposed fasteners that ring the perimeter of each fiber cement panel.
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| Two sizes and colors of fiber cement panels cover this guest house. Dark floats above light. This is an inversion of what we might expect, but one that is "righted" by the size of the siding and the panels, small above large. |
Fiber cement panels can also be used in horizontal patterns to resemble oversize siding. Here wide bands in gray meet vertical cedar planks toward the front of the house.
More variation in fiber cement panels: vertical board and batten in the foreground (note the way the front door matches), and larger rectangular panels in the back.
| And now for something slightly different. This last example uses a horizontal board and batten configuration. The orange color fits with a palette that includes red mullions and a smaller yellow-green volume. More: 9 Top Siding Materials Metal Works Wonders With Home Exteriors |
Ideabook published on March 12, 2012.
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Paola - I'd recommend finding an exterior application that is similar on Houzz and then asking a question to the professional who posted it. Better yet, do it for a bunch of exteriors you like. That might help point you in the right direction.
When installing fiber cement panel, do you need to have more backing than 1/2" plywood? Some sources say it needs to be fastened to your studs. Would 1x4 strapping work?