Fiber Cement has been used in the construction industry for almost a century, however, the first versions were not very successful as they were found to contain harmful materials such as asbestos. In the 1980’s, Fiber Cement products gained momentum when safer compositions were developed while still maintaining durable material properties.
Today, Fiber Cement siding manufacturers use advanced production methods resulting in extremely strong an aesthetically pleasing panels designed to last decades in adverse weather conditions. Thanks to the undoubtable advantages of using Fiber Cement to clad your home or business, manufacturers have reached the forefront of the cladding industry across North America. Because this material is mainly composed of sand and cement, it does not deteriorate the way wood does, it is resistant to fire damage and birds, insects or rodents have no interest in attempting to nest behind the siding panels.
Orbis Group works with the highest quality of Fibre Cement siding, such as James Hardie, to provide the best quality of siding cladding products backed by long warranty coverage to ensure peace of mind for our clients.
Fiber Cement Lap Siding
FIbre Cement Siding is ideal for both residential and commercial projects thanks to its durable composition. Despite being known as cement board or cement siding, the appearance of this cladding system is nothing like cement. It can be manufactured and painted to look and feel like natural wood siding or left smooth to give any project a modern appeal.
Lap siding consists of long boards installed horizontally with each board overlapping the last by 1-1/4” to ensure that moisture can flow downwards and away from the wall. This siding installation method has existed for centuries while making the use of wood products. Even though the installation is ideal for wicking water away from your home’s inner walls, the materials used were not able to withstand a very long service life.
Fiber Cement lap siding combines the effective & time-tested siding method with modern long lasting materials while offering relatively low material and installation costs. It is no mystery why this has become the most popular style of siding on new construction homes.
Fiber cement panels
Fibre Cement Panels have long won the popularity of a huge number of homeowners and this trend is now spreading across many new countries. In Canada, the use of these panels has been commonly seen installed on residential and commercial projects alike for many years and has led to countless positive experiences backed by glowing reviews. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these products stand out among other siding systems available on the market today.

First of all, it is worth mentioning that these panels are specifically designed to perform in all weather conditions over extended period of time due to their specialized production process. Thanks to fibre reinforced composition and the paint coatings being baked into the layers of cement material during the manufacturing phase, these panels can remain vibrant in colour while maintaining their resistance to environmental damage for decades.
It is important to note that the cement used to create these products is quite dense and results in considerable weight of the siding system. Weighing in at approximately 2.3 lbs per square foot, it is a good idea to consider using a professional siding crew to complete your installation.
As for the dimensions, they are available in multiple different sizes and thicknesses and can meet the design preferences of any customer. The most common sizing options are 4’x8’ or 4’x10’ with a thickness of 5/16”, however, there are many different systems available with thicknesses reaching beyond 1”.
With all the different siding systems available, it is very difficult to get a full understanding of each style. Our team of experts have been involved in selecting and installing siding systems for over a decade with every employee having extensive hands-on experience. This ensures that any suggestions made by either our customer service team or project managers are realistic and can be easily carried out by our installation crew.
We are always ready to help you choose the system and products that are right for your specific project.
Pros of fiber cement siding
It is already clear than Fiber Cement siding provides exceptional advantages and this is proven over the long life of the product. Let’s take a look at the key points that sets this product apart from the rest.
1. Durable Composition
Each siding system offers its own strengths and weaknesses when presented with the long-lasting effects of weather, whether it be heavy rain or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. But there are other potentially damaging issues to consider such as pests, fires or even natural phenomenon like earthquakes. Fiber Cement siding is able to withstand the virtually anything mother nature can throw at it! When choosing Fiber Cement products to clad your home, you can rest assured that it should not require any rework or repairs for over a decade.
2. Neutral in relation to the environment
Cement siding cannot be recycled or reused at the of its service life as it is made of non-recyclable materials. However, it is composed of environmentally neutral materials that can be disposed of without releasing any harmful substances into the environment like many other building products can.

3. Reliable guarantee
The perfected combination of different components that create fiber cement siding is designed to last decades even when exposed to adverse weather for extended period. Every customer can enjoy peace of mind thanks to the siding manufacturer’s warranty that can last up to 25 years. One of the main reasons we use James Hardie products for our Fibre Cement installations is to take advantage of the 15 year warranty on the siding coating alone.
Cons of fiber cement siding
Even though there are many pros to choosing Fibre Cement siding to clad your home or business, we want you to be aware of any possible down sides to the material you are selecting. Here are a few aspects to be aware of prior to making your final decision.
1) Material and Installation Cost
There are many different fiber cement systems on the market but even the most affordable options will cost more than vinyl siding. In recent years, natural wood products have been less expensive than using fibre cement siding, however, as lumber prices increase, we are finding that using wood siding is more costly and less reliable than using modern cement siding.
2. Difficulty of Installation
Most cladding systems are relatively light and easy to maneuver around a job site. However, Fibre Cement products, given their composition, are quite heavy and cannot sustain much flexural pressure. It is important to understand the products limitations before attempting to perform the installation yourself
3. Paint Warranty vs Material Warranty
Even though material warranties on Fibre Cement products can last up to 50 years, the coatings are often only covered from 10 to 15 years before needing to be repainted.
This means that the siding material will still last the length of the warranty and beyond, but you will eventually need to invest in recoating your homes cladding system.
Fiber cement siding cost
There are many different Fiber Cement siding manufacturers and systems on the market creating a price range to meet most installation budgets. The most cost-effective options can start from $___ per square foot where as higher quality siding systems can reach up to $___ per square foot.
Our highly qualified staff can help you choose a cladding system that will meet both the financial requirements and performance needs of your project.
Fiber cement installation cost
Installation cost for fiber cement siding can vary greatly depending on the materials chosen, quantity of siding to be installed, difficulty of the specific installation and the location of your project. In most cases, the pricing ranges from $___ to $___ per square foot but can be as much as $____ for the same coverage of fiber cement materials.
When considering standard Fiber Cement systems such as James Hardie products, Shingles Panels are typically more expensive to install compared to large panels whereas metal trims, often used with panel systems, can be much more costly than a standard fiber cement trim.
There are many aspects to consider when budgeting for any type of siding installation but our team of experienced project managers and coordinators are always available to help you through the selection process.
Fiber cement siding FAQ
What is fiber cement siding?
Fiber Cement siding is a type of cladding installed on both residential and commercial projects.
Composed mainly of cement and sand combined with cellulose fibers, it is specifically designed to withstand extended exposure to any climate whether cold or hot, humid or dry.
Is fiber cement siding expensive?
There are many different systems to choose from. While some high-end fiber cement products can be quite expensive, most are very affordable and competitively priced when comparing them to natural wood products while still offering a signficantly longer service life.
Is fiber cement siding fireproof?
Fiber Cement products are produced using exclusively non-flammable materials and remain completely untarnished when exposed to flames. The siding can actually protect your home against small brush fires or even fires from neighboring houses which can save you many thousands of dollars if it were ever to happen.
Is fiber cement siding waterproof?
Fiber cement siding is specifically designed to be water resistant and will never absorb moisture, even in extended cases of extremely heavy rainfall. When choosing fiber cement products, you can rest assured no amount of precipitation will compromise the integrity of your siding system.
Will fiber cement siding rot?
Because the composition of fiber cement is free of organic materials, they are not subject to any type of rotting or insect damage. This means that using these products, whether soffit, siding or trims, you will never have to worry about replacing rotten or deteriorated siding for decades.
Can fiber cement siding be painted?
Most manufacturers offer pre painted products warrantied for upwards of 15 years, however, primed siding products are also available and can be painted once the installation process is complete. Exterior Paint adheres very well to this type of siding, so long as the surface is clean and dry.