Composite siding is a material used on the exterior of buildings to protect them from external elements and provide an aesthetic role. It comes in planks, shingles, and panels, and is made from materials like wood and fiber cement board. While it offers many benefits, it can also be heavy, difficult to install, and a poor thermal insulator.
Composite siding is a building material used on the exterior of homes and commercial structures. Known in various parts of the world as a cladding, cladding or draft shield, this product protects the interior of a building from water and other external elements. It also serves an aesthetic role and is available in a number of textures and materials to suit various home decors and designs.
Like other siding products, composite siding is installed in such a way that it completely covers the exterior of a building, without providing openings for water to enter the space. The cladding comes in planks or planks, which can be stacked on top of each other horizontally or vertically. It is also commonly sold in the form of shingles, or shakes, which are smaller tile-like sections that can be layered in a variety of patterns. Some composite siding products are sold in the form of large panels, used primarily in commercial buildings or to cover soffits or siding sections of homes.
While siding has traditionally been made from cedar or pine, these materials can be expensive and are also susceptible to rot and termite damage. Composite siding costs significantly less than hardwood siding and offers a number of other benefits as well. Some varieties of composite siding are made from chopped wood or sawdust, with a binding agent added to strengthen it. Known as Oriented Strand Board (OSB), this product offers the look of solid wood siding for a fraction of the price. Like traditional wood products, OSB is susceptible to moisture damage, but offers a higher level of protection against termites and rot.
Fiber cement board is another popular composite siding product. Made from cellulose fibers, sand and Portland cement, this material is one of the strongest and most durable siding products on the market. It can be made to look like wood, but is much cheaper and will typically outperform wood siding on a number of factors. Fiber cement board is highly resistant to fire, termites and water damage and keeps it in shape for years with little maintenance. This product can be purchased in many different colors and finishes and only requires a repaint every ten years or so.
Despite its many advantages, fiber cement board also has a number of potential drawbacks. First, it’s very heavy, which means a longer and more difficult installation. Unlike wood siding, concrete panel cannot hide irregularities in the framing of a building, which can give exterior walls an uneven or wavy appearance. It is a poor thermal insulator and does little to block sound transmission. Finally, the dust produced when cutting this composite coating can cause irritation and respiratory diseases.
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