Do you have Stucco home siding you have been thinking about replacing? Are you looking for a stucco alternative?
You Should Consider Fiber Cement Siding
We want to give you some more information on both fiber cement and stucco siding so that you can make an informed decision. Let’s look at them both in turn to compare them.
Stucco Home Siding: Traditional Stucco vs EIFS
There are two main different forms of stucco. The traditional stucco is a hard-coat system that is applied to the exterior of your home. The other one is EIFS, which stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems. Sometimes it is also called synthetic stucco.
If you are weighing EIFS vs stucco there are a few things you need to know. EIFS consists of a system that is acrylic based that is applied on top of insulation panels. Traditional stucco on the other hand is made out of sand, lime, and water. The more modern version also contains cement.
Stucco is applied in a three-coat system with the textured finish last. That gives it the look that everybody knows well and that is so attractive to many people. It is an architectural element that gives your home great curb appeal, when well maintained.
EIFS does look similar when newly installed but you can differentiate between it and traditional stucco by touch. EIFS has a better R-value since the installation system includes insulation and it is more lightweight. It cracks less easily and less often than traditional stucco over time. However, the installation is more complicated and thus often more expensive.
In a comparison of durability stucco is stronger and can withstand more impact. EIFS is much softer (which you can feel when you touch it) and thus more easily damaged. Both can be repaired but not that easily. Stucco is a very heavy material that does crack, chip, and peel over time.
Another difference between EIFS and stucco is that EIFS is not as breathable. It does not let water pass through to let vapor escape, trapping water once it gets in. Stucco is naturally porous, which lets water in and out of the wall cavity.
This means that water damage does not occur as quickly with traditional stucco. However, in a climate like Colorado where we get a lot of snow and some rain it does occur. Neither EIFS nor traditional stucco hold up terribly well in our climate.
Which one you pick, traditional stucco or EIFS, will depend on your preference and on your climate. If you thing that the disadvantages of both stucco and EIFS outweigh their advantages, there are great stucco alternatives available to you.
Fiber Cement Siding
If you love the look of stucco but you are looking for a more durable alternative, you should look into fiber cement siding. It is available in a huge variety of colors, textures, and styles. Many manufacturers also offer a style that looks like stucco.
James Hardie is the leading manufacturer of fiber cement siding. You can pick from a large number of styles, including a siding that looks like stucco. Additionally, you can pick from over 700 amazing colors so that you can create the siding look you really want.
Fiber cement has several important advantages over EIFS and traditional stucco. Fiber cement is much more durable and versatile. It works well in most climates, including the Colorado climate, where stucco is not ideal.
Furthermore, fiber cement is resistant to impact damage (consider the frequent hail storms we have in Colorado), insects, mold, mildew, and rot. It can stand up to water very well and it does not burn. It needs almost no maintenance and only needs to be rinsed off occasionally.
When it is correctly installed it will last for several decades. Additionally, James Hardie offers industry leading warranties. The siding comes with a 30-year product and 15-year finish warranty. This will give you peace of mind for many years to come. You will love the durability as well as the look of your new fiber cement siding.
Colorado Siding Repair: Your Trusted Your Siding Guide
Do you still have questions regarding EIFS vs stucco vs fiber cement and which siding you should choose for your home? Do not hesitate to contact us with any and all of your siding questions. We are always happy to help. Choosing new siding can be rather confusing but it does not have to be that way.
Colorado Siding Repair is your trusted siding guide. We want what is best for you, your home, and your budget. We will guide you along the way to figure out what exactly that is. Then we can also offer you financing options so that you can get the siding you really want for your home.
We are proud to be a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor. Our team from Colorado Siding Repair is factory trained and knows these superior siding products well. We know how to install them correctly so they will last for a long time and look beautiful.
Additionally, we are also your trusted guide when it comes to installing windows and insulation, and painting the exterior of your home. We can update the exterior of your home, raise its curb appeal, and make it look beautiful again. Call Colorado Siding Repair today to get a hassle-free quote!
