Fiber Cement Siding.
Fiber cement sits between vinyl and brick in cost, performance, and the range of homes it suits well. It's harder than vinyl, it copies the look of painted wood, and it handles the Midwest climate reliably. We install it on homes throughout the Chicago area.
01 / A Step Up From Vinyl
The Look of Painted Wood, the Upkeep of Vinyl.
Fiber cement siding sits between vinyl and brick in terms of cost, performance, and the range of homes it suits well. It’s harder and more durable than vinyl, it replicates the look of wood siding convincingly, and it handles the Midwest climate reliably. For homeowners who want a strong siding material with the low maintenance of vinyl and the appearance of painted wood, fiber cement is the right call.
RX Roofing & Construction installs fiber cement siding on homes throughout the Chicago area. We install it with the flashing and sealing detail that fiber cement needs to perform correctly over the long term.
02 / What Fiber Cement Siding Is
A Composite Built to Look Like Real Wood.
Fiber cement is a composite material made from a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fiber. It’s formed into panels and boards that copy the look of wood lap siding, shingles, board and batten, and other traditional profiles. The finished product is paintable, cuts like wood, and can be installed in patterns that look nearly identical to genuine wood siding from both the street and up close.
Unlike vinyl, fiber cement is paintable and repaintable. The surface holds paint well, and when the finish starts to fade or you want to update the color, you paint it. That gives fiber cement a flexibility over its life that vinyl doesn’t offer.
03 / Benefits of Fiber Cement Siding
Why Homeowners Choose Fiber Cement.
Durability
Fiber cement is much harder and more impact-resistant than vinyl. It holds up better against hail, doesn’t dent from accidental impact, and resists the cracking and puncturing that vinyl is prone to in severe weather. It also won’t rot, warp, or attract insects.
Realistic Wood Look
Fiber cement products are made with wood grain texture and profiles that closely copy real painted wood siding. For homes where the architecture calls for that look, fiber cement delivers it at a fraction of the cost and maintenance of real wood.
Fire Resistance
Fiber cement is non-combustible. It does not add fuel to a fire the way vinyl or wood siding does. For homes in areas where fire resistance matters, that’s a real material advantage.
Holds Up to Chicago Weather
Fiber cement handles freeze-thaw cycling without the moisture problems that affect wood. It doesn’t swell and contract with humidity the way natural wood does, which protects the seals and the wall behind it. With paint kept up on a reasonable schedule, it holds up well through decades of Midwest weather.
Repaintable
When the paint fades or you want to change the exterior color, you paint it. The surface holds paint well and takes standard exterior paint products. That gives homeowners flexibility over time that vinyl simply doesn’t allow.
Fits a Wide Range of Homes
Fiber cement suits everything from standard family homes to larger properties. It’s a flexible material that works across many architectural styles and neighborhoods around the Chicago area.
04 / The Honest Trade-offs
What You Should Know Before You Choose It.
We’d rather you go in with the full picture. Fiber cement is a great material, but it isn’t the right answer for every home or every budget. Here’s the straight talk.
It Costs More Than Vinyl
The material is heavier and takes more labor to install than vinyl, which raises the installed cost. If budget is the main driver and the home doesn’t call for a stronger material, vinyl is a practical alternative. See our vinyl siding page for that comparison.
It Needs Repainting
The surface doesn’t keep its appearance without paint maintenance, typically every 8 to 15 years depending on sun exposure, color choice, and paint quality. If you want a siding material that truly needs no upkeep, vinyl holds its color without painting.
Installation Has to Be Done Right
The panels are heavy, they need proper flashing at all transitions and penetrations, and field cuts need to be primed and sealed before installation. A sloppy install lets moisture get in at cut ends and joints over time. The long-term performance depends heavily on the quality of the work.
05 / Fiber Cement & Storm Damage
Tough Against Hail, but Not Immune.
Fiber cement is much more resistant to hail damage than vinyl, but it isn’t bulletproof. Large hailstones can chip or crack the surface, and the paint finish can be compromised by impact even when the panel itself holds.
When fiber cement siding has storm damage that warrants an insurance claim, we document it with photos and written assessments and handle the claims process directly with your insurer. You’re not left to argue with the adjuster on your own.
- We photograph and write up the damage
- We deal with your insurer directly
- We inspect the roof in the same visit
06 / Is Fiber Cement Right for Your Home?
A Strong Fit for the Right Project.
Fiber cement is a strong fit when these things matter to you:
- Homes where the architecture calls for the look of painted wood siding and vinyl won't do it justice
- Larger homes in communities like Inverness and Long Grove
- Homeowners who want better impact resistance than vinyl provides
- Properties where being able to repaint is valued as design flexibility over the life of the home
For homes where cost is the main factor, vinyl is a practical choice. For homes where brick’s permanence and character are the priority, see our brick siding page. For the full siding overview, visit our siding page.
We Install Vinyl, Fiber Cement & Brick, So the Recommendation Is Honest.
Because we work with all three siding materials, we're not steering you toward fiber cement just because it's the only thing we install. We look at your home, your neighborhood's look, your priorities, and your budget, then tell you straight whether fiber cement is the right call. We're licensed, bonded, and insured, and we install every material to the manufacturer's spec, including the flashing and sealing detail that protects the wall behind it. We carry a 5.0 rating on Google.
- 5.0 Stars on Google
- Licensed, Bonded & Insured
- Workmanship Warranty on Every Install
08 / Get Started
Get a Fiber Cement Siding Estimate.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation and estimate, or call or text us at (224) 518-0278. You can also use our instant estimate tool for a preliminary figure. We’re available Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm and Saturday 7am to 5pm.