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Rendering of home with blue cedar shake look fiber cement paneling. There is a sunset in the background and the porch and window lights are on in the home.
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Problems with Cedar Siding and a Better Alternative

Homeowners interested in cedar siding are usually attracted to its beauty, often overlooking the headaches that come with cedar siding maintenance. Due to its fragility and relatively short lifespan, cedar plank siding has the potential to yield a lot of problems.

The good news is that you can still appreciate the traditional look of cedar siding without getting tangled up in all the maintenance costs and endless repair work. Modern building materials like fiber cement are the superior choice for achieving a beautiful, wood-style exterior with the strength to last for years to come.

Take a look at some of the common problems that can pop up with traditional cedar wood siding, as well as some alternative fiber cement products that offer similar aesthetics with enhanced durability and longevity.

Common Problems With Cedar Wood Siding

Though it is aesthetically pleasing, exterior cedar plank siding can be a burden on your time, money and energy. These are five of the most common problems with cedar house siding:

1. Never-Ending Maintenance

Just when you think you’re finished with exterior projects and you have your home looking just the way you want, it’s time to maintain the natural cedar siding again. Cedar has a tendency to chip, flake, peel and warp with everyday exposure to the elements. Scraping down the siding and applying a fresh coat of paint or stain is recommended every two or three years to keep cedar siding boards from showing signs of damage. 

2. Environmental Concerns

Anytime a natural resource like cedar is used, there are environmental concerns that can pop up. In certain areas of the world, wooded areas are shrinking at an alarming rate, so responsible forestry is a major issue. Sourcing specific types of cedar may raise these concerns.

3. Cedar Siding is Fragile and Damage-Prone

Though stronger than pine, cedar is considered a weak material compared to other siding options. Flawless installation and meticulous maintenance are both necessary for cedar to last more than a few years. In most cases, this just isn’t the reality, and homeowners end up with noticeable signs of damage from moisture, sun, wildlife and other elements.

4. Relatively Short Lifespan

Extremely well-maintained cedar siding may only last 20-30 years, and it’s common to have individual cedar planks needing replacement after just 10 or 15 years.

5. Limited Style Choices

Cedar shake siding and horizontal lap are quite common, but other exterior styles can be more difficult to come by. This can limit the vision of some homeowners who are interested in exploring more unique styles and colors.

Fiber Cement Serves as Smart Alternative

Many fiber cement siding products take direct design inspiration from natural materials, like cedar, with an abundance of styles and color tones to add extra character. The advantage of choosing fiber cement is that it is a much more durable material that doesn’t accrue nearly the same amount of damage as a material like cedar.

With easy installation and low-maintenance designs, Nichiha’s fiber cement siding products are an excellent alternative to traditional cedar plank house siding. There’s absolutely no compromise on aesthetics. In fact, homeowners will find that they have a lot more design opportunities and styles to consider with Nichiha fiber cement. 

Take a look at four options that express the beauty of natural wood, but with the incomparable durability of fiber cement.

1. VintageWoodA two-story home with gray and brown siding and white trim.

A gorgeous choice for modern and vintage designs alike, Nichiha’s VintageWood siding offers incredible warmth and vibrancy. The natural-looking wood grain adds subtle definition to this fiber cement siding, conveying an authentic feel that enhances the overall quality of the exterior design. Available in Bark, Redwood, Cedar, Spruce and Ash finishes, VintageWood is an exceptional blend of style and sophistication with a familiar feel.Interior of an open-floor plan home with stone and wood paneling. A living room couch sits in the foreground, and the kitchen is in the background.

2. RiftSawn

Exterior of home with lightly colored wood look fiber cement paneling.With a vast surface area that pulls off a powerful look, Nichicha’s RiftSawn products achieve something that simply isn’t possible with natural cedar planks. The large panels feature detailed ridges to add a unique texture to the exterior while still maintaining a modern appearance. Available in Chestnut and Pecan finishes, RiftSawn panels are a great example of the expanded design capabilities of fiber cement.

3. RoughSawn

Exterior of home with darkly colored wood look fiber cement paneling and green windows.Combining rustic appeal and sophistication, the look of Nichiha’s RoughSawn siding is unforgettable, especially when paired with sharply contrasting colors. With finishes like Espresso, Tobacco and Smoke, the strong, textured tones of RoughSawn siding allows builders to craft exteriors with unique character and charm.

A two-story home with a white garage and red garage door. The second floor is sloped with dark brown siding.

4. Sierra Premium Shake

Rendering of home with blue cedar shake look fiber cement paneling. There is a sunset in the background and the porch and window lights are on in the home.Drawing inspiration from traditional cedar shake, Sierra Premium Shake offers an iconic look that’s simply timeless. Whether adding this shake as an accent for dormers or using it throughout the entire exterior, this beautiful style creates stunning shadow lines and brings a wonderful woodgrain texture. Unique colors allow homeowners to dream big and create fantastic curb appeal that will look great year after year.

How To Get Started...

Get inspiration for your next residential project. From traditional to modern, our look book is filled with the latest trends and styles to build your dream home. 


Exterior of a three-story home with light blue and white brick siding. There is a white car parked in the home’s garage.

Achieve Traditional Cedar Look Siding with Fiber Cement from Nichiha

As you can see, there’s no aesthetic compromise when it comes to choosing Nichiha fiber cement over traditional cedar. In fact, the design options are expanded! The benefit of having a durable, long-lasting, weather-resistant material adds incredible value that homeowners can appreciate. Check out our wood-textured products today to explore a wide variety of solutions that are crafted from heavy-duty fiber cement.
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