Concrete Siding vs. Vinyl Siding: Which is Best for You?

New siding can give a house a fresh, modern look, but you’ll need to decide between your material options. Vinyl siding and concrete siding (also called fiber cement) are some of the more popular siding materials on new homes, at 31% for vinyl and 17% for cement.

Here are some of the benefits of both types of siding and why they’ve stayed so popular among homeowners and home designers

Appearance

Vinyl:

Vinyl siding is available in numerous colors to compliment the aesthetics of your neighborhood, exterior trims and roof, or personal preference. Vinyl can mimic wood grain, shingle, stone, or have no texture at all.

This type of siding creates noticeable seams where panels overlap, though vinyl is so common across the US, your seams likely won’t stand out. Adjusted panels to avoid seams are also available, though at a higher cost.

Concrete:

While vinyl can mimic wood grain, concrete siding can be nearly indistinguishable from wood. The edges of concrete panels butt together nicely, making seams a lot less noticeable.

Concrete siding can either come pre-painted or can be painted after installation. Either way, concrete siding holds paint well for several years. This siding won’t become warped by localized heat.

Function

Vinyl:

The color of vinyl siding isn’t painted on the surface but present throughout the material, so scratches don’t show up when damaged (though very severe damage can cause cracks).

Vinyl is lightweight, allowing for one of the quickest installs over other siding materials, and can be installed directly over other materials if necessary.

Concrete:

Next to stone, concrete siding is one of the most durable siding options. It can withstand:

• Snow and sleet
• Ice
• Extreme heat
• Wind and debris
• Rodents and insects (like termites)     

Concrete is also very fire resistant. Where vinyl will warp and melt and untreated wood can ignite, concrete will last throughout exposure to flames.

Maintenance

Vinyl:

Once installed, vinyl requires little maintenance. Dirt may occasionally accumulate but easily washes off. Homeowners should inspect vinyl siding for cracks maybe once a year.

Concrete:

Concrete siding also requires little-to-no maintenance. Concrete washes easily when dirt accumulates, but damage remains minimal.

Price

Vinyl:

Prices differ from house size to brand of siding, but typically vinyl siding is more affordable due to the material and lighter weight.

Concrete:

Again, prices will vary, but concrete siding is generally a little more expensive than vinyl siding, but the durability helps outweigh the cost.

Thinking about new siding? Give us a call for a free quote. We’ll also walk you through the pros and cons of siding materials.