You may not realize just how essential your siding is to the wellbeing of your home until it’s time to replace it. Suddenly, you’re confronted with a dizzying array of facts about different materials and finishes while you talk to a qualified Chicago siding contractor.

One of the options that you might learn about is fiber cement, which is a fascinating substance made for strength, beauty, and durability; it’s an incredibly versatile product that can fit well on homes of all shapes and sizes. Better yet, it’s environmentally friendly and very safe, especially when it comes to fires and severe weather. Today, we’ll dive into the production process of this modern marvel, then explain how to get the show stopping siding you deserve in Chicago, Illinois.

As the name suggests, fiber cement is made of cement and wood fibers

James Hardie is the leading manufacturer of a siding product called fiber cement: this material is composed of cement, sand, water, and wood fibers that are mixed together, injected with pigment, and covered in a waterproofing material to resemble a number of different materials. The manufacturing process is complicated, but here is a simple outline of how this siding option is made.

First, the raw materials are gathered and added together in specific ratios. Cement and sand are responsible for most of the structural integrity, and wood cellulose gives fiber cement its durability and resistance to cracking. Each of these components is necessary to give James Hardie siding its unique staying power.

While it might not seem like it, it’s important that siding have a bit of give to it, because it will expand and contract during the natural changing of the seasons. Cement isn’t very flexible, which is why potholes occur in the winter; however, wood is more flexible, so adding cellulose fibers and sand will create a mixture that can withstand weather fluctuations without splitting. Given that Chicago can go from bitterly cold in the winter to steaming hot in the summer, it’s essential that you choose a product which can handle drastic shifts in weather.

Fiber cement is a highly versatile siding product thanks to its many treatment options

Once these are combined with water and blended into a consistent paste, they are formed into the different siding products, including shingles, panels, and lap siding. They will be placed in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment to cure and harden; then, the fiber cement will be coated with a finisher that improves its moisture and UV ray resistance. You can think of this like the primer that you apply to a wall before painting it, as the finisher helps the paint stick evenly to the siding.

This last step is where the true magic happens, and it’s the reason why fiber cement can transform any home into an absolute masterpiece. James Hardie has designed numerous proprietary mixtures of pigment and additives to mimic a number of other siding options, like stucco, wood, and stone. These materials aren’t just for show: they also enhance the durability of the material, as well as preventing degradation by sun exposure. Each of these pigments and additives have been crafted to resist fading and retain their vibrancy for decades, so you can be guaranteed that your home will be just as beautiful in 20 years as it is when your qualified siding contractor places the last nail.

To get the most out of your James Hardie siding, work with an expert siding installer

When you’ve decided that fiber cement is right for your home, it’s time to look for a great James Hardie siding contractor in Chicago. Great exterior contractors have decades of experience working specifically with fiber cement siding, as this material differs from other siding options and needs special training to install correctly. They should be able to explain the entire installation process to you and show examples of previous projects similar to your own.

Regarding testimonials, it’s not enough that they mention happy customers on their own website: third party review sites should have similar reviews, and they should also provide you with references of homeowners upon request. Their quote shouldn’t be obscenely cheap nor exorbitantly high, which you can determine by getting quotes from other companies before choosing who to work with. Remember that there are a variety of factors that go into a given quote, including the market cost of the materials, the size of your home, and the particular finish that you have chosen.

By working with an amazing contractor, you can select the very best product to bring out all the beauty of your home – and enjoy the durability and low maintenance of fiber cement for decades to come. Now that you better understand how this remarkable product is made, get in touch with a qualified Chicago siding expert and get ready to see a brand new side of your home!