How Much Does It Cost To Install Fiber Cement Siding?

Fiber cement siding prices

Just how much does it cost to have Hardie siding installed? Typical HardiePlank fiber cement siding installation costs may run anywhere from $15,000 to $27,000, including materials, labor, and other expenses. The overall cost of an installation job boils down to two components: material costs and labor costs. Material costs vary widely based on supplier pricing, material quality, and finish. Labor costs will depend largely on the contractor you work with but are affected by location, site accessibility, and project complexity.

Fiber cement siding cost per square foot

The material cost of fiber cement siding varies depending on the finish, size, and supplier. For clapboards, the most common type of siding, prices range between $0.70 to $5.25 per square foot. A fiber cement clapboard installation on an 8' x 15' exterior wall may cost between $84 to $630. Some homeowners prefer a shingled aesthetic and can expect to pay between $2 and $8 per shingle. Hardie siding cost per square foot can vary significantly depending on the form and grade of material you choose.

The following table and chart show the cost of fiber cement siding per square foot:

As you can see, costs vary depending on the fiber cement materials you choose. To determine the materials component of your total Hardie board installation cost, calculate the exterior surface area and divide by the price per square foot. Calculating beforehand will give you a ballpark estimate of your materials budget and help determine which style and finish you can afford.

Labor cost to install fiber cement siding

When calculating the labor cost to install fiber cement siding, keep in mind that Hardie board siding installation labor costs vary depending on your location and the contractor you choose. Contractor rates can range from $40 to $70 per hour, or $1.90 to $3.99 per square foot. For a standard 1,500 square foot home requiring 75 to 90 hours of labor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $6,300 for labor.

This cost does not include old siding removal and disposal. If updating an existing home, remember to calculate $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot of siding to account for siding removal costs. This total cost can range from $1,000 to $3,000 for a 1,500 square foot home. It may be tempting to reduce labor costs by removing the old siding yourself. However, keep in mind that older fiber cement siding may be mixed with asbestos. This is a toxic substance that must be handled by experienced professionals and disposed of in an appropriate manner.

Review your estimates carefully to determine what's included. Typical budget items include the builder's permit, siding removal, and delivery charges. Make certain that the labor estimate accounts for all stages of the project, including old siding removal and new siding installation.

Why use fiber cement siding?

Modern fiber cement siding first hit the market in the 1980s and rose in popularity due to its many advantages over the previous market leader: PVC vinyl. Unlike PVC vinyl, fiber cement siding is highly durable, UV resistant, and holds its shape against snow, hail, ice, and wind. In fact, some local building codes in extreme weather regions even specify fiber cement siding installations. While Hardieplank siding costs more than PVC vinyl, it is considerably more affordable than wood siding.

Unlike traditional wood siding, common pests, such as termites and wasps, have no interest in burrowing through fiber cement. Wood siding puts your home at an increased fiber risk, whereas fiber cement boasts the highest rating available slowing fire/flame spread. Fiber cement also requires little upkeep, saving homeowners on maintenance costs throughout the lifetime of their house.

It is important to consider the aesthetic appeal of your home's exterior, and fiber cement is both attractive and versatile. Fiber cement is available in both wood-grained and smooth finishes. It is even possible to match a new section of a house to the existing siding. Some homeowners like that they can replace patches and sections, with the new boards virtually indistinguishable from the existing siding.

What is fiber cement made of?

Fiber cement is comprised of only four ingredients: water, wood pulp, fly ash, and Portland cement. This combination of ingredients results in clapboards or shingles that are both flexible and strong. Here's a quick breakdown of what each ingredient does:

• Wood pulp: The wood pulp base gives fiber cement boards their structure and flexibility.
• Fly ash: The fly ash primarily serves as a filler. Some manufacturers may substitute this component with silica sand.
• Cement: The cement acts as the glue holding the entire mixture together.
• Water: Water is added during the manufacturing process to catalyze and mold the cement to the desired shape.

Due to its unique composition which lends itself to minimal upkeep, fiber cement is a cost-effective alternative to other types of siding, such as vinyl, stucco, wood, and brick.

How long does it last?

One of the biggest advantages of a fiber cement siding installation is its longevity. Fiber cement offers up to 50 years of service life for non-back coated shingles and up to 75 years for back coated versions. Manufacturers typically stand behind these estimates with warranties of up to 50 years. Fiber cement siding will require periodic paint treatment every 5-15 years to protect against peeling and chipping. However, the original factory coat of paint often guarantees protection for up to 15 years.

Fiber cement vs other siding

You'll want to compare costs and features between different siding materials before moving forward with a fiber cement installation. Determining the appropriate siding material for your house may be influenced by your budget, local building codes, and climate. Here are some common types of siding along with their average costs:

Wood

Wood siding has a huge variance in cost, with most options ranging between $3.25 to $15.75 per square foot. Calculate wood siding installation costs.

Brick and stone

Timeless, beautiful, and long-lasting, stone siding will cost you a pretty penny at $35 to $50 per square foot.

Vinyl

Homewyse siding, a popular vinyl siding manufacturer, comes in as one of the cheapest options, costing $2 per square foot at the low end and only $7 at the high end. However, the cost-savings may not be worthwhile since vinyl siding needs to be replaced every 10 to 20 years. Calculate vinyl siding installation costs.

Aluminum

Aluminum siding is an excellent budget alternative, with costs ranging from $3.50 to $4.75 per square foot. Aluminum carries a longer lifespan of 40 years or more but may require a fresh coat of paint every five to 10 years. Calculate aluminum siding installation costs.

Stucco

Ranging from $6 to $9 per square foot, it's easy to see why stucco is a popular siding choice. Stucco is somewhat higher maintenance than other siding options and can be prone to mold, fungus, and pest infestations. Therefore, it is best used only in certain climates.

Once you have determined the appropriate siding material for your project, get several estimates from professionals in your area. They should be able to offer guidance on materials and give you a ballpark figure of the total project cost. A professional estimate can also account for special site conditions that may affect your project. Remember, the estimate will be based on a combination of labor rates, project materials, building size, and project complexity.

Fiber cement siding shingles

Fiber cement siding is available as both clapboards and shingles. Both are great options to achieve a traditional American look. Clapboards are long, narrow boards seen on many homes throughout the country. However, the shingle aesthetic dominates in many regions with classic American architecture, such as Cape Cod. If you prefer the aesthetic of shingles but prefer the advantages of fiber cement, HardieShingle fiber cement shingles are an excellent option.

Cedar and wood shingles are beautiful, but the up-front expense and maintenance requirements can be prohibitive. Cedar shingles require staining or painting every few years to prevent rotting and splitting. This can add up to a high maintenance cost over a home's lifetime. HardieShingle fiber cement siding is a cost-effective alternative to classic cedar shingles. Fiber cement shingles appear nearly indistinguishable from cedar while providing better weather protection for your home.

Some homeowners prefer wood shingles because they are biodegradable and have a low environmental impact. However, fiber cement is actually considered an environmentally-friendly siding option. HardieShingle does not require any lumber to make the material and therefore does not contribute to deforestation. The ingredients are environmentally inert, which means they won't cause pollution after disposal. Additionally, some manufacturers incorporate recycled materials in the production process.

Whichever material you end up using, shingle siding tends to cost more per square foot than clapboard siding. It can be a good idea to get an estimate for a shingle siding installation when planning your project.

DIY vs Hire a Pro

You may decide to save on labor costs by completing a siding project on your own. Before you go the DIY route, here are a few important things to consider:

• Performing a siding job properly and therefore avoiding expensive repairs down the road -- requires a high level of knowledge and experience. Siding projects are fairly complex and are not ideal for those new to DIY. However, if you have prior experience removing and installing siding, you likely have the technical know-how to complete the project yourself.
• Revamping the siding on an entire home is a time-intensive project. Consider whether you can afford the time commitment for the project at hand. While one wall or section of a house may be completed over a few weekends, siding an entire house is another kettle of fish. Keep in mind that it can take several weeks for a team of professionals to complete an entire home. It may take an amateur even longer.
• Siding installations require comprehensive knowledge of home exteriors and siding systems. Will you be able to identify and repair mold, water, or pest damage? Do you have the knowledge and equipment necessary to remove old, worn-out siding that may contain asbestos? Are you confident in attaching a frieze board and sheathing to mount the new siding?
• While durable once installed, fiber cement siding has a tendency to crack if handled improperly. You'll need specialized tools and knowledge to avoid damaging the boards while cutting and nailing. Lack of experience is a quick way to run up your materials cost, so you may be better off financially by hiring a professional.