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Most of us love nature and want to preserve the natural world, but we do not react well when woodpeckers ruin the siding on our houses. To live in harmony with nature, our recommendation is to choose fiber cement siding, primarily because it is not natural wood. 

Fiber cement siding is made from a few simple ingredients - Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. These durable ingredients resist woodpeckers drumming-up damage because they offer nothing that woodpeckers are seeking in the way of food, nesting, or breeding. 

Fiber cement is not natural wood which gives woodpeckers a good reason to leave your yard and find a real live tree somewhere else!

If you're choosing an exterior for a new home, you'll soon discover that there are several different types of exterior materials available - vinyl siding, cedar siding, composite siding, fiber cement siding, metal siding, Hardie Board siding, brick siding, engineered wood siding, stone veneer siding, natural wood, and stucco siding. 

If all these siding options have your head in a tizz, do not worry, here's an expert to pull it straight for us. 

Project Manager Riaan Venter says, "In my experience, I advise new home builders to spend a little more and choose fiber cement siding. Vinyl siding's price may be less, but I have noted that vinyl color siding can be more susceptible to fading, and may also crack, buckle, or sag with weather stress."  

Riaan goes on to say that "fiber cement siding generally costs less than brick, as well as some wood siding options. Fiber cement siding is the best choice to make simply due to its solid track record." 

Here are some of the advantages fiber cement siding offers over vinyl and wood: 

• Non-combustible and resistant to extreme heat. It will not ignite when exposed to a direct flame, nor will it contribute fuel to a fire. Vinyl siding is known to be vulnerable to melting caused by grills and Low-E windows. 
• Engineered to withstand various climate conditions, like hot, humid, and blistering sun. Resistant to shrinking, swelling, and cracking, even after years of wet or freezing conditions.
• Not a friendly material for woodpeckers, termites, and other pests. 

The maintenance required will depend on your geographical location, exposure of the building and whether you have prefinished siding or if it will be painted on site. Prefinished siding is our recommendation, as it is resistant to fading, chipping, and cracking. For general cleaning, a soft brush and garden hose will do the job. 

Residential fiber cement siding styles are exciting with woodgrain textures, or smooth and stucco finishes to choose from. The prefinished range of color options is magnificent and will enhance your home's exterior. 

The most important thing is to take your time making decisions, so you are happy with the fresh look of your home. Georgia In Home Services is experienced in installing James Hardie® siding and trim products. Give us a call and we will provide a free siding estimate for your greatest asset.