7 Best Brands of Fiber-Cement Siding for Your Home

Fiber-cement siding is a popular exterior siding material for many homes. Made from a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, fiber-cement is known for its durability, fire resistance, and low maintenance. If you’re considering fiber-cement siding for your home’s exterior, it’s important to choose a reputable brand that offers high-quality products. In this article, we’ll explore the 7 best brands of fiber-cement siding and what makes them stand out.

What is Fiber-Cement Siding?

Before diving into the top brands, let’s take a moment to understand exactly what fiber-cement siding is and what makes it a good choice for your home.

Fiber-cement siding, also known as fiber cement board, is made from a mixture of Portland cement, sand, cellulose fibers (usually wood pulp), and sometimes clay. The cellulose fibers reinforce the concrete mix, making fiber-cement extremely durable and resistant to cracking.

Unlike vinyl, fiber-cement won’t dent, warp or buckle under extreme weather. It’s non-combustible and stands up well to hail, high winds, and other hazards. The material is resistant to rot, termites, and other pests. It requires very little maintenance beyond occasional cleaning or repainting every decade or so.

Fiber-cement comes in various styles designed to mimic wood clapboard, vertical board and batten, shingles, and other traditional siding looks. It can be painted any color.

Compared to real wood siding, fiber-cement is more affordable and lasts longer. It provides better insulation than aluminum or vinyl siding. Overall, fiber-cement combines the aesthetics and feel of wood with the durability and fire resistance of masonry.

Now let’s take a look at the top 7 brands that manufacture this excellent material.

1. James Hardie

James Hardie is arguably the most well-known and largest manufacturer of fiber-cement siding. The company pioneered the use of fiber-cement for home exteriors in the 1980s. Today, their HardiePlank lap siding remains the most popular brand of fiber-cement in the U.S.

Some reasons James Hardie is trusted by homeowners and contractors:

Proven longevity: With over 25 years of fiber-cement experience, James Hardie products have been tested by time. Their siding stands up well to all weather conditions.
Wide product range: James Hardie offers a huge assortment of siding styles including HardiePlank, HardieShingle, HardiePanel vertical siding, soffits, trim, and more. Lots of design options!
Thick, durable planks: HardiePlank lap siding comes in a variety of widths up to 12 inches, and thickness up to 7/16 inch, for a very substantial feel.
30-year transferable warranty: Their siding warranties are the best in the fiber-cement industry. If there is ever an issue with the product itself, James Hardie will repair or replace the affected boards.
ColorPlus Technology: This is a factory-applied finish that seals and protects the siding while offering rich color that resists fading or chalking. It comes with a 15-year warranty.

James Hardie offers premium quality at reasonable prices. Their products are easy to install and virtually maintenance free. It’s no wonder James Hardie fiber-cement is used on over 8 million homes in North America!

2. CertainTeed

CertainTeed is another leading manufacturer of fiber-cement siding, trim, and panels. They have been producing cement board products for over 20 years. Here are some benefits of choosing CertainTeed brand fiber-cement for your siding project:

Low-maintenance finish: CertainTeed’s PermaColor technology applies a silicone water seal combined with a baked-on acrylic finish. This protects the siding and keeps the color vibrant for years with minimal upkeep.
Lifetime limited warranty: Their fiber-cement siding is backed by a lifetime limited warranty, including fade protection. CertainTeed really stands behind their product quality.
Impact and fire resistance: Rated A (highest) for fire safety and withstands hurricane-force winds up to 160 mph. CertainTeed fiber-cement can take a beating.
Authentic wood looks: CertainTeed offers Cedar Impressions lap siding designed to mimic real cedar boards. Their PermaColor finish includes subtle brush texturing and rich tone variations that achieve a natural stained cedar look.
5/8″ thick boards: Cedar Impressions Individual 5/8″ Thick lap siding is 33% thicker than other brands for durability and rigidity. This premium thickness offers gorgeous shadow lines.
Wide variety: Choose from over a dozen styles and textures of CertainTeed fiber-cement siding including lap, panel, board and batten, and soffits. Lots of design flexibility!

CertainTeed offers quality and aesthetics at a more affordable price point than top competitors. Their substantial 25-year and lifetime warranties provide peace of mind that your investment will endure.

3. Nichiha

Nichiha has been manufacturing fiber-cement products in Japan for over 50 years. They are known for excellent quality and consistency. Here’s an overview of Nichiha’s fiber-cement siding and panel advantages:

Innovative manufacturing process: Nichiha PLC manufacturing at their Japanese factory applies higher production standards versus typical US cement board mills. This results in denser, stronger panels.
Flawless uniformity: Nichiha panels feature minimal irregularities in thickness, edges, dimensions, flatness, and surface texture. You get precision and craftsmanship.
Remarkable durability: With compressive and flexural strength exceeding industry standards, Nichiha panels are highly impact resistant and able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Textured woodgrain finishes: Nichiha textures like Illumia embossing and Century Hemlock graining look and feel beautifully realistic, like natural wood. The detailing is quite impressive up close.
Distinct modern styles: Along with traditional clapboard and shake looks, Nichiha offers sleek contemporary siding like VintageWood in extra wide 16” planks and Corrugated panels with angled ridges. Gorgeous architectural options!
50-year limited warranty: All Nichiha fiber-cement siding, soffits, and trim are backed by excellent 50-year limited warranties on delamination, fading, and more. This indicates how confident they are in the quality.

While priced at a premium, Nichiha fiber-cement products provide a harmony of durability, aesthetics, and craftsmanship unparalleled in the industry. It’s an investment in long-lasting beauty for your home.

4. Allura

Produced by Plymouth, Pennsylvania-based Plycem USA, Allura is sold exclusively at the large home improvement chain, Lowe’s. This brand is revolutionizing fiber-cement with advanced technologies that make installation, maintenance, and design easy. Benefits of Allura fiber-cement products include:

Snap-fit design: Allura’s patented Snap-fit shiplap edge eliminates visible fasteners on lap siding. Boards float securely together, providing beautiful uninterrupted lines. So simple and clean looking!
RapidInstall system: Allura products utilize a breakthrough grid system for near-effortless installation. Boards align precisely and lock tightly in place with a satisfying “snap” sound.
FeatherEdge finish: Siding edges are finely tapered to only 1.5mm. This creates ultra-smooth transitions and seamless lines.
40 contemporary colors: From elegant neutrals to bold, saturated hues, Allura offers extensive color options. Richer darker tones resist fading better than lighter shades.
Vibrant matte finish: The TalonTed surface creates a subtle texture and luster that mimics natural woodgrain. Allura siding colors have depth and vitality.
Class A fire rating: Allura boards achieved Class A certification for flame spread and smoke development, the highest fire safety standard for exterior cladding.
40-year warranty: All Allura fiber-cement products are backed by strong 40-year residential limited warranties on manufacturing defects and finish integrity.

With game-changing innovations that simplify installation and create upscale aesthetics, Allura is an excellent value fiber-cement brand to consider.

5. Boral TruExterior

Boral manufactures their TruExterior brand of fiber-cement siding and trim after acquiring the technology from Celuka in 2017. Here are some standout benefits of TruExterior products:

Polyurethane finish: Boral coats their fiber-cement boards in a thick, oven-baked polyurethane enamel. This creates vibrant fade-resistant color and protection from moisture.
Realistic woodgrain: Variegated tones and cedar grain texture are pressed directly into the siding. Boral’s process creates amazingly natural looking wood aesthetics.
50-year warranty: TruExterior siding and trim are backed by 50-year limited warranties, including 25 years on the finish, to match premium brands like James Hardie.
Primed option: Boral offers pre-primed fiber-cement siding and trim for custom paint applications, in addition to their pre-finished boards. Great versatility!
Sustainable manufacturing: Up to 30% recycled fly ash content. Plant emissions are reclaimed rather than released. Positive environmental footprint.
Thicker siding: TruExterior Vertical siding is available in a beefy 7/16” thickness, even thicker than James Hardie. Substantial feel and durability.
Competitive pricing: Boral TruExterior costs notably less than big names like CertainTeed and Nichiha but offers similar benefits. Excellent value!

With their PolyAsh manufacturing process, Boral is able to recreate the elegant look of real cedar wood aesthetic at a reasonable price point. TruExterior products offer a beautiful and eco-friendly fiber-cement option.

6. Maxitile

Maxitile is a smaller American company that manufactures fiber-cement siding, soffits, and trim boards in Greenville, Texas. They pride themselves on quality products made locally in the U.S.A. Here are some benefits that make Maxitile worth considering:

Thick, rigid boards: At 5/16” and even 7/16” thick, Maxitile lap siding offers pleasing rigidity and substantial feel when installed. Less flexing and warping.
Authentic woodgrain textures: Sandblasted cedar grain finishes like Western Red Cedar and Cypress faithfully mimic real wood looks. Maxitile perfects realistic textures!
40-50 year warranties: All Maxitile products are backed by 40-50 year limited warranties. This equals or beats guarantees from the largest brands.
Class A fire certification: With a flame spread index of 25 or less, Maxitile boards meet Class A requirements for fire safety. You can feel assured your siding is non-combustible.
Direct from manufacturer: When you buy Maxitile products, you are purchasing directly from the manufacturing company, not a distributor. This ensures freshness.
Competitive pricing: Without wholesaler markups, pricing is affordable. You can get premium quality fiber-cement siding for less than big names.
Customization available: Along with their standard product line, Maxitile can produce custom widths, shapes, and colors for specialized projects. Nice flexibility!

Maxitile delivers excellent thick, realistic wood looking fiber-cement siding at reasonable cost. Their smaller U.S. based operation enables quality construction, customization, and direct purchasing advantages.

7. Swiss Pearl

Based in Switzerland, Swiss Pearl produces high-density, resilient fiber-cement boards notable for their smooth refined aesthetic. Though pricier than other brands, Swiss Pearl offers some unique benefits:

Beautifully uniform: The surface and edges of Swiss Pearl boards exhibit unmatched flatness, consistency, and smoothness. Panels have a pristine factory-finished look.
Innovative manufacturing: Swiss Pearl uses a patented vacuum vibro-compaction production method. This achieves denser fiber-cement with incredible durability and rigidity.
Stunning colors: With delicate gradations, neutral hues, and innovations like luminescent Luma boards, Swiss Pearl sets the standard for unique fiber-cement color options.
Modernist styling: Swiss Pearl panels lend themselves beautifully to contemporary designs. Their sleek uniformity and colors create minimalist facades and accents.
50-year warranty: All Swiss Pearl products are backed by solid 50-year limited warranties on functionality and 30 years on aesthetics like fading and chalking.
Sustainable production: The Swiss manufacturing facility uses hydroelectric power and uniquely filters 100% of CO2 emissions. Their products are Cradle to Cradle Certified.
Customization: Swiss Pearl offers made-to-order customized colors, dimensions, drilling, and radius edges for one-of-a-kind designs.

With their pristine panels and eye-catching palette, Swiss Pearl sets a new bar for fiber-cement facade elegance and sustainability. The splurge is worth it for their unmatched quality and customization.

What’s the Best Brand for Fiber-Cement Siding?

So which brand of fiber-cement siding is right for your home? With all the excellent top options covered here, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best siding brand for you depends on:

Budget: How much are you comfortable spending? Top brands like James Hardie and CertainTeed offer outstanding quality and the longest warranties (30+ years), but come at a higher initial cost. Value brands like Allura provide innovative features and technology at a more affordable price point backed by slightly shorter (40-year) warranties.
Aesthetic: Is a realistic wood look important to you? CertainTeed and Nichiha offer the most beautifully detailed woodgrain finishes. If you prefer a smooth, uniform contemporary facade, Swiss Pearl is a perfect fit.
Performance Needs: Facing extreme weather, intense UV exposure, or fire hazard conditions? Opt for the impact strength of Nichiha or resilient paint finish of James Hardie. Their fiber-cement boards can withstand the harshest conditions.
Sustainability: Eco-friendly manufacturing processes and materials matter to you? Check out fiber-cement brands like Boral TruExterior and Swiss Pearl.
Customization: For unique siding colors, dimensions, or shapes, Swiss Pearl and Maxitile both offer customized fiber-cement production.

No matter your priorities, one of these excellent brands is sure to meet your needs with beautiful, durable fiber-cement siding that will protect your home for decades to come. We hope this overview will help you confidently choose the perfect product to enhance and safeguard your home’s exterior! Let us know if we can answer any other questions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fiber-Cement Siding Brands

Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have about shopping for top fiber-cement siding brands:

Is James Hardie fiber-cement siding the best?

James Hardie is an excellent premium siding brand beloved by homeowners and contractors alike. With over 25 years pioneering fiber-cement manufacturing, they offer time-tested durability. James Hardie backs their products with superb triple-digit warranties too. Many people consider James Hardie the “gold standard” of siding. But Several other brands on our list like CertainTeed and Nichiha also offer outstanding quality and features.

What is the #1 fiber-cement siding brand?

According to the quantity sold, James Hardie is the #1 national fiber-cement siding manufacturer. They hold the biggest market share – about 70% of the fiber-cement business. Part of this comes from their extensive product distribution network. James Hardie fiber-cement can be purchased through most major home supply retailers.

Which lasts longer, vinyl or fiber-cement siding?

Fiber-cement siding significantly outlasts vinyl. While vinyl siding may warp, crack, or get brittle after 1-2 decades, quality fiber-cement siding will endure for 50 years or more. The blended concrete material resists moisture damage, rotting, pests, fire, and impact far better than plastic vinyl over the long haul. Fiber-cement is an investment in your home’s future!

Is CertainTeed or James Hardie siding better?

CertainTeed and James Hardie make superb quality fiber-cement siding. Choosing between them really comes down to your specific needs and project details. CertainTeed offers thick PermaColor boards that rival real cedar aesthetics at a slightly lower cost. James Hardie provides the widest product selection and longest triple-digit warranties. Both are great options that will stand the test of time!

Why is fiber-cement siding so expensive?

Quality fiber-cement siding costs more than vinyl and wood because of its longevity and low-maintenance durability. The advanced blend of concrete, sand, and cellulose, manufactured precisely under intense pressure, results in an exceptional exterior cladding material that will last 50+ years. When evaluated on a cost per year basis, fiber-cement siding is actually quite affordable over the many decades of reliable protection and curb appeal it provides.

Is fiber-cement siding high maintenance?

Not at all! In fact, one of the biggest perks of quality fiber-cement siding brands is the minimal upkeep required. Unlike wood, fiber-cement won’t rot, warp, or splinter. It resists moisture damage and termites. All it needs is an occasional low-pressure rin