Fiber Cement's Aesthetics and Durability Continue to Gain Fans

When it comes to choosing green building materials, Bret Hackett likes to take the long view: The longer a product lasts, the greener it is. "I'll tell my clients that they can build their walls out of filled oil drums," says Hackett, founder of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., design/build firm Healthy Home Consultants. "If those walls last 500 years, then that's a green home."

From building a straw-bale house early in his career to recently constructing Lake Tahoe's first LEED-Platinum home, Hackett is no stranger to sustainable building. And while he hasn't built homes out of 55-gallon barrels yet, he does clad his projects with fiber-cement siding, choosing that material over cedar shake, the predominant choice in his region. "This stuff is supposed to last 100 years or more," Hackett says. "While we don't know if that's true yet, we're all assuming it's a super-durable product. That's what makes it green."

Indeed, while fiber cement has only been used in mainstream construction for the last 25 years, proponents says its durability and resistance to rot, mold, insect infestation, and fire make it an extremely compelling cladding choice.

And though the category has slowed with the rest of the building trade, its growth during the most recent building boom was undeniable, with fiber cement now accounting for 18 percent of the cladding market, according to manufacturer CertainTeed. "While the total cladding market has decreased, our share is still growing compared to other materials," says the manufacturer's marketing and communications manager Judi Ann Moore. "Fiber cement is still gaining ground."

Attractive Option
Builders say one reason for fiber cement's growing appeal is its pleasing aesthetic, which comes close to the look of wood, without the maintenance issues. Owners of high-end homes, in particular, like its look and feel, and are willing to pay for it. "It's going to be more expensive than vinyl, by about 20 to 25 percent," says Jerry Fleenor, general manager at Bordner Installation Group in Kansas City, Mo. "But we generally cater to a higher-end clientele, and it's a better fit for them. They're not interested in vinyl. They want fiber cement."

Recent advances include increased selection in trim products such as trim boards around windows and doors. Larger panels that come in sizes similar to plywood sheets allow for board-and-batten applications. And wider color selections are increasingly baked on at the factory. "Our ColorPlus line of prefinished products gives homeowners 26 colors to choose from, and they have that extra layer of durability in terms of the paint finish," says Kevin Everhart, vice president of marketing for James Hardie. CertainTeed's ColorMax line boasts 16 colors.