Fiber Cement vs. Vinyl: Why We Trust Fiber Cement for NWA Homes
As a family-owned exterior company in Northwest Arkansas for over 30 years, the most common question we get is, “Should I choose fiber cement or vinyl siding?”
Vinyl siding is popular, and its main selling point is its low upfront cost. But in our three decades of replacing failed siding, we’ve learned a critical lesson: what’s “cheaper” upfront is almost never the best value for an NWA homeowner.
The weather here is simply too demanding. We have a unique combination of hail, high-wind events, ice storms, and intense summer humidity. These elements are brutal on a home’s exterior, and they are exactly where vinyl siding fails.
1. Durability: NWA's Hail vs. Plastic
Vinyl: Vinyl is a thin plastic shell. In the cold, it becomes brittle. When an NWA hailstorm rolls through, that brittle plastic is easily cracked and punctured. We’ve also seen significant damage from weed-eaters, stray baseballs, and even wind-blown debris.
Fiber Cement: Fiber cement is a thick, rigid composite of cement and sand. It is specifically engineered to be impact-resistant. It doesn’t get brittle in the cold and can withstand hail and impact without cracking or denting.
2. Weather Stability: Extreme Heat and Ice
Vinyl: Vinyl expands and contracts dramatically with temperature changes. In the scorching NWA summer, this can cause the panels to warp, buckle, and look wavy. In the winter, the contraction can pull seams apart, creating gaps for wind and water.
Fiber Cement: Fiber cement is dimensionally stable. It does not swell, warp, or contract like plastic or wood. The seams we caulk and seal stay sealed. The boards stay flat and straight, maintaining their structural integrity and appearance whether it’s 100°F or 10°F.
3. Appearance and Curb Appeal
Vinyl: At the end of the day, vinyl looks like plastic. It can fade and become chalky in the sun. If a panel is scratched or dented, the damage is obvious and difficult to repair, often requiring a full panel replacement (which may not match in color).
Fiber Cement: Fiber cement offers the beautiful, premium look of real wood without the maintenance. It gives a home a more substantial, high-end appearance that significantly boosts curb appeal and resale value.
4. Safety: Fire Resistance
Vinyl: Vinyl siding is plastic. It will melt and warp when exposed to high heat, whether from a house fire or just a barbecue grill placed too close to the wall.
Fiber Cement: Fiber cement is non-combustible. It will not ignite when exposed to a direct flame, and it will not add fuel to a fire. This is an incredible, non-negotiable safety feature for your family.
Our Expert Verdict
We built our 30-year reputation on quality and trust. We simply are not willing to install a product that we know will fail, crack, or warp under the predictable Arkansas weather.
Vinyl siding is a cost, but fiber cement siding is an investment in your home’s long-term protection, value, and safety.
FAQ
You mentioned vinyl is "cheaper." How much more expensive is fiber cement?
Fiber cement is a premium product, so it has a higher upfront material and labor cost than vinyl. However, we’ve learned over 30 years that it’s a much better long-term value. When you factor in vinyl’s tendency to crack (requiring repairs) and its shorter lifespan, fiber cement is often less expensive over the life of your home. It’s an investment in durability that pays for itself.
I've heard vinyl siding is "maintenance-free." Is fiber cement harder to take care of?
Fiber cement is considered low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Its main requirement is a simple wash with a soft brush and a garden hose every 6-12 months to remove dirt. The key difference is in the type of maintenance: with vinyl, “maintenance” often means repairing cracks, punctures, or warped panels. With fiber cement, you are just doing simple cleaning to maintain its appearance.
What about installation? Is fiber cement harder to install?
Yes, and that’s a critical point. Fiber cement is a heavy, rigid material that requires specialized tools and-most importantly-specialized training. It must be installed exactly to the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure it performs correctly and to validate its warranty. This is why you should only trust an experienced, professional team like RGS Exteriors for the installation.