Lining a material on the exterior walls of your property has a lot of benefits ranging from aesthetics to protection. Whatever your aim may be, covering exterior walls with different materials has proven to be an effective way to make it better. 

While wood is the traditional cover used, wall cover has since seen different alternatives spring up like fiber board. Fiber board comes with a lot of advantages but also has spoken drawbacks that puts property owners back.

In steps concrete log siding as an alternative to fiber board due to a host of factors like its durability and strength. There are lots of reasons why concrete log sidings are quickly becoming the go to option for many switching from fiber board as an exterior wall cladding. 

Understanding the difference between these two wall cladding materials will help you see what each offers and how concrete log siding stands out. 

This guide makes it a lot easier for you by comparing concrete log siding and fiber board so you don’t waste time on the wrong material. After this piece you’ll know if concrete log siding is a suitable option for you. 

What is Concrete Log Siding?

Concrete log siding is an exterior wall cladding made from a combination of cement, sand, and water. It is made to replicate the rustic look and feel of wood but with a more durable core so users can enjoy wood like finishes with concrete durability. 

Made as an alternative to wood sidings, concrete log sidings offer something different on the benefits of wood sidings.

Benefits of Concrete Log Siding

Wondering what makes concrete log sidings popular as an alternative to wood? Here are some of the primary benefits of concrete log sidings and why it has become quite popular:

1. Longevity and Resistance to Weather, Pest, and Fire

The composition of concrete log sidings makes them extremely durable. Common issues like wear and tear and weather damage whether from change in temperature or extreme conditions does not readily affect it.

Concrete log sidings are also resistant to disasters like fire, pest, and weather damage. All of these are based on the strong base of the concrete log considering what it is made of and how durable it stands. 

2. Aesthetic Appeal

You do not lose the aesthetic appeal of wood when you use concrete log siding because this material is made to mimic the look and feel of traditional wood sidings. The beautiful appeal remains and you can even get a more varied design with concrete log sidings. 

3. Energy Efficiency and Insulation Properties

Using concrete log sidings can help maintain a decent temperature inside your home which can in turn save energy. This energy efficiency means you get to spend less to maintain indoor temperature. 

The insulation properties of concrete log siding blocks excessive loss of heat to the environment during the cuckold months while also preventing heat from entering your home during hotter periods. All this means you use less of your HVAC system in maintaining temperature. 

4. Low Maintenance

The typical concrete log siding requires minimal maintenance but it gets even better when the siding is from top manufacturers like ClearCreek Siding. You only need to clean or wash off dirt from the surface once or twice in a year to keep it looking good unlike some of the other alternatives. 

5. Eco-Friendly

Its longevity makes it an eco-friendly option, especially as you don’t need to cut down trees to make the sidings. With concrete log siding, you get a beautiful and durable exterior wall cladding that is also favorable to the environment. 

Difference Between Concrete Log Siding and Fiber Board

After seeing the many benefits of concrete log siding, you start to get an idea why it has become an alternative to fiber board. But the picture cannot be clear enough till you have seen the comparisons side by side and that is what this section seeks to achieve. 

  • Composition

The major difference that affects most of the other factors between concrete log siding and fiber board is their composition. With the composition dealing with what the siding is made of and how it is prepared.

For concrete log siding, the primary materials are concrete, sand, and water or lightweight reinforced cement. On the other hand, fiber boards are made from compressed wood fibers mixed with resin or cement as binding agents. 

The difference in their composition makes for varied style, among other factors. 

  • Aesthetics

While the two materials are made to mimic the wood-like feel and look, concrete log siding feels more natural. Fiber board feels a little flat especially as it gets older, however it has a lot more variations in look. So when it comes to premium wood like aesthetics, concrete log sidings stand out although fiber boards have many different designs.

  • Cost analysis

Concrete log sidings are a lot more expensive than fiber board because it uses a lot of premium materials in its construction that increases its cost. However, considering you get to use it for longer, it may present a better value for money than fiber boards that may require frequent replacement. 

  • Maintenance

Every few years you’ll need to repaint and seal the fiber board whereas concrete log siding only requires cleaning dirt off its surface seasonally. Concrete log sidings saves resources on maintenance since you do not have to do much for a long time.

  • Durability

When it comes to the reliability of these sidings, concrete log siding stands out with a lifespan of up to 50 years. Coupled with its high resistance  and minimal maintenance, you won’t need to do much during this long lifespan, exceeding the few years lifespan of the fiber board. 

With concrete log siding brands like ClearCreek Sidings offering decades-long warrantees on their products to show how durability they are. 

  • Installation Considerations

The composition of fiber boards makes it lighter and easier to install. They are also inexpensive to install. Requiring a lot less specialized tools and labour to complete. 

Unlike the heavier concrete log sidings where you may need a professional with the right tools to help with the installation. You need to ensure proper structural support when installing the heavier concrete log sidings. On the plus side, this leads to a longer lasting wall cladding.

Conclusion

You can use either a fiber board or concrete log siding on exterior walls of your property to enjoy a lot of the accompanying benefits from the aesthetics to the insulation. And even though these two are made to mimic the feel and look of traditional wood sidings alongside additional benefits.

However, concrete log sidings seem to have a lot more going for them when compared to fiber boards. Better durability, less maintenance, more natural wood like feel and better value for money in the long run despite a higher initial product and installation cost than fiber board. 

All these benefits are heightened when you purchase concrete log sidings that are made with quality in mind. Thankfully, you can do so from ClearCreek Siding, which is one of the leading manufacturers in the country. 

ClearCreek Log Siding creates cement log siding that mimics the natural beauty of timber siding. 

The composition and corresponding characteristics of concrete log sidings shows why it has become a popular alternative to fiber boards as exterior wall claddings. 

Author

Rethinking The Future (RTF) is a Global Platform for Architecture and Design. RTF through more than 100 countries around the world provides an interactive platform of highest standard acknowledging the projects among creative and influential industry professionals.