Certainteed Siding

CertainTeed’s eco-friendly patented formula provides you with siding products that give you the look of wood without the hassle in a variety of shapes, profiles, and colors to match any design.

What are the components that make up CertainTeed FiberCement Siding?

CertainTeed FiberCement Siding uses a multi-step high-pressure process combining Portland cement, fly ash, wood fiber and specialty additives.

Use of Fly Ash in WeatherBoards™ Fiber Cement Siding

Fly ash is a key ingredient used in the manufacturing of our fiber cement siding products. It is an industrial by-product of coal combustion, and without its use in construction applications, it would be landfilled.

Fly ash has been used in concrete since the 1930’s. It has been used in several construction projects and prominent buildings including the Ronald Reagan Government Office Building, home to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington D.C.

Through a proprietary process that combines fly ash with Portland cement and other ingredients, CertainTeed is able to manufacture a fiber cement board that ensures the fly ash is chemically bonded in the material, resulting in a durable and sustainable product. Studies of WeatherBoards™ Fiber Cement Siding using currently available test methods indicate that the risk levels to our employees, installers and homeowners are well within Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently re-evaluating the classification of Coal Combustion Products (CCP’s) and expects to publish its findings by the end of December, 2009. Since 2003, the EPA, along with the U.S. Department of Energy and Federal Highway Administration, has promoted the beneficial use of fly ash and other coal combustion products through the Coal Combustion Products Partnership program.
(See http://www.epa.gov/waste/partnerships/c2p2/)

The beneficial use of CCP’s has significant environmental benefits, decreasing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills each year as well as reducing the use of virgin materials in construction products. CertainTeed strongly supports a regulatory approach that continues to allow the safe and beneficial use of CCP’s in construction products, while putting in place appropriate regulations to ensure the safe landfilling of coal combustion waste.

Advantages of Fiber Cement as a Wood Alternative Siding

Many building and design professionals and homeowners are looking for siding with the natural appearance of brick, stone, or wood. However, brick and stone can be expensive, engineered wood can suffer from performance problems, and solid wood requires significant maintenance. Without regular upkeep, wood-based products can become brittle, split, swell and deteriorate over time.

A wood alternative siding such as fiber cement siding is able to match the traditional look of wood, with substantially lower maintenance expenses. It is extremely durable, dimensionally stable, and resistant to everyday “dings”. As is the case for natural wood, fiber cement must be primed and painted or stained. However, the material’s superior paint adherence properties reduce the frequency of recoating. The only additional maintenance required is simple cleaning; the exterior may be washed with a garden hose to remove dirt and debris as necessary.

Although a wood alternative siding like fiber cement mimics the traditional appearance of wood, its physical properties provide several advantages. All wood and wood-based products absorb water when exposed to moisture; the ensuing expansion places continuous stress on the material over time. More importantly, the subsequent growth of internal mold and fungus can foster decay that goes unnoticed until the damage requires expensive replacement. In comparison, fiber cement does not experience this type of swelling and warping and does not rot. The product also remains impervious to woodpeckers or wood-boring insects.

Fiber cement resists the damaging effects of salt spray and ultraviolet (UV) rays and does not succumb to the stress of freeze-thaw cycles. Another important attribute that sometimes goes unnoticed is the material’s non-combustibility – an especially important feature when considering siding products in locations where fire hazards are a concern. Due to its superior durability and resistance to damage from extreme weather conditions, the material can be used in virtually any climate.

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