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Like many aspects of the home improvement industry, cedar shake siding has evolved over the years. Now, homeowners can reap the rewards of maintenance-free cedar shake siding alternatives that are easier to care for, more durable and longer-lasting.
There’s no question about the attraction of authentic cedar shake — it’s gorgeous, timeless and full of character. Unfortunately, there are many resounding issues with real cedar shingles like rigorous upkeep and maintenance, insect and pest control, and risk of fire. Cedar shake alternatives put these worries to bed by providing high-performance wood-look shingles for strength, confidence and peace of mind.
Capturing the same aesthetic appeal of authentic wood but with better performance, homeowners can get the best of both worlds with this smart siding swap. Of all the faux cedar shake siding panels that are available, fiber cement wood-look shingles are the absolute best in terms of quality and performance.
Wondering why? Let’s take a look!
Fiber cement is an innovative material with a unique composition. Crafted from a precise blend of Portland cement, water, sand and cellulose fibers, this material offers incredible advantages for siding. It is inherently more durable, moisture-resistant and fire-resistant than other imitation cedar shake siding on the market — all without compromising an exquisite appearance that truly resembles the best features of authentic cedar.
Faux cedar siding made from fiber cement will create a beautiful, authentic-looking exterior that’s easy to care for. Here are some of the reasons why fiber cement siding is the best cedar shake alternative.
Yes, you read that correctly — maintenance-free cedar shake siding. As any cabin enthusiast or homeowner with real cedar siding knows, maintaining authentic wood shingles can be taxing. Seasonal caulking, sealing, staining and painting are all requirements in addition to a lot of time, money and effort to keep real cedar siding looking and performing its best.
Fiber cement is intentionally designed to be incredibly low maintenance for homeowners. Installed in segments that are molded as uniform panels, homeowners don’t have to deal with individual shingles coming loose or out of place causing an unkempt appearance. Fiber cement shake is stable, secure and requires a simple, occasional rinse to keep its appearance picture perfect.
The appearance of imitation cedar shake siding really is something to see! With an authentic-looking wood grain pattern, color options and stunning shadow lines that are as close as can be to the real thing, faux shake shingles made from fiber cement flaunt all the same character and charm as real cedar siding.
Installation couldn’t be easier. Instead of messing with individual shingles, fiber cement panels are available in larger sections that make installation a fast and easy task. Imagine installing four-foot sections of paneling instead of tiny, individual shingles one by one — fiber cement panels are super convenient and speed up the entire installation process.
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When it comes to fire safety, real wood is always going to pose a larger threat than cedar shake alternatives. It really comes down to the science and composition of the material.
Fiber cement is fire-resistant, meaning that if a fire breaks out, it will likely spread much slower through fiber cement than it would through real cedar siding. In some cases, this extra time can alleviate property damage and loss. Even more importantly, that extra time can allow you and your family to safely exit the home.
Bob Gates experienced a devastating house fire that destroyed his family’s home entirely in just 15 minutes. However, Bob's family office, just around a hundred steps from the main house, survived the flames. Unlike the rest of the house, his office was built with Nichiha's redwood-colored fiber cement siding instead of real wood.
If Bob’s home was covered in Nichiha products, his home would have had a much higher chance of surviving the fire — saving him and his family from the tragedy. Cases like this prove just how valuable and important fire-safe siding is for you and your family.
Wood is naturally more susceptible to water damage than cedar shingle alternatives. Rotting and mold growth are frustrating to deal with, as they can be difficult to resolve completely without total replacement. Fiber cement is moisture-resistant, so the home’s exterior will have better protection and last longer.
Another advantage of selecting cedar shake alternatives is that pests and insects aren’t as attracted to the home’s exterior when it contains cement. Softwoods like cedar are ideal for insects to burrow into and nest.
Insect damage and pest control can cost thousands of dollars worth of treatments, exterminations and repairs over the years. Faux wood shingles can reduce the risk, saving you time and money in the long run.
These days, cedar can be hard to source responsibly — especially if you have a unique design or intricate shingle style in mind. Wood-look shake siding crafted from fiber cement offers a full range of beautiful shingle styles to choose from. Instead of scrambling for a responsible timber harvester or paying exorbitant prices for hand-carved shingles, homeowners can browse through a rich selection of faux-wood shingle styles that provide plenty of room for creativity.
In fact, Nichiha offers several lines of fiber cement shake shingle styles with different profiles. From traditional looks to staggered styles with premium finishes and a gorgeous color selection, you can’t go wrong.
Click here to see all of the beautiful wood alternative siding products offered by Nichiha.