Lets talk about cement board

this is what I have found on multiple sites:

"Vinyl siding, however, edges out its heavier cousin because fiber cement has been known to absorb water, which can cause it—and the walls of your home underneath—to rot."

and


"Here’s where vinyl siding pulls way ahead of fiber cement. When fiber cement is installed, it needs to be caulked and painted (unless you opt for the prepainted version), unlike vinyl siding, which needs no additional work before or after installation. Over the long haul, you’ll need to paint fiber-cement siding periodically because it will fade due to the demands of Mother Nature. Likewise, you’ll need to ensure that the caulking in the joints maintains its integrity to avoid water intrusion."

quote:

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this is what I have found on multiple sites: "Vinyl siding, however, edges out its heavier cousin because fiber cement has been known to absorb water, which can cause it—and the walls of your home underneath—to rot."

and

"Here’s where vinyl siding pulls way ahead of fiber cement. When fiber cement is installed, it needs to be caulked and painted (unless you opt for the prepainted version), unlike vinyl siding, which needs no additional work before or after installation. Over the long haul, you’ll need to paint fiber-cement siding periodically because it will fade due to the demands of Mother Nature. Likewise, you’ll need to ensure that the caulking in the joints maintains its integrity to avoid water intrusion."

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This is true of every siding - you need to make sure things are sealed and avoid water intrusion. This applies to vinyl siding also - it does get damaged occasionally or the install is poor and intrusion happens. I have seen rot behind vinyl siding.

I have had Hardiplank on part of my house for 24 years. Just replaced the remaining wood siding 3 years ago with Hardiplank since the little bit I had had done so well. It holds paint really well and dramatically increases the length of time between paint jobs when compared to wood.

One thing I have noticed on a lot of these houses that replace vinyl with hardie is the wavy walls. I guess I have been seeing more since we are in middle of an Ida zone.

Slightly unrelated, but does anyone have experience with Nichi panels?

20 grand to replace vinyl siding on back of house with Hardi. Good luck if it’s whole house unless you can do it yourself.

quote:

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Contemplating replacing vinyl siding with Cement board. Hesitating because supposedly the maintenance is much higher and there could be moisture issues. Anyone care to set me straight?

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Yes, the maintenance is going to be more. But so is the value most likely. Vinyl gets a bad name because it looks cheap like plastic, because it basically is. But its extremely easy to install, lasts a long time, and you basically can just pressure wash it once a year or so to keep it clean and you are done until next year.

Cement board isn't high maintenance, its just that Vinyl is as low maintenance as it gets.

There's a reason new construction homes and Multi-family apartments are built using Hardie/fiber cement panel - it's a superior product to vinyl siding in every way.