Replacing your siding doesn’t sound all that hard until you start looking at all the options available. Vinyl, fiber cement, board-and-batten — the variety of products available can make your head spin.
Different types of siding offer different benefits, aesthetics, and color options. Their durability also varies widely, as do their maintenance needs and price point.
So, how do the options stack up? Seeing where each one sparkles (and where it doesn’t) can make your decision a whole lot easier.
Vinyl vs. Fiber Cement vs. Board and Batten: At a Glance
Vinyl, fiber cement, and board and batten can give your home three pretty different looks, but the differences go beyond appearance. Cost, maintenance, and even what you’re technically choosing vary between the three.
Board and batten is the odd one out here. Vinyl and fiber cement are siding materials, while board and batten describes a style with wide vertical boards and narrower strips, called battens, covering the seams.
Today, you can get the board and batten look in several materials, including vinyl and fiber cement.
| Vinyl | Fiber Cement | Board and Batten | |
| Typical Cost | $3 to $10 per square foot | $4 to $18 per square foot | Varies widely by material; usually between $1 and $21 per square foot |
| Maintenance | Low | Low to moderate | Varies by material |
| Look | Wide range of colors and profiles | Smooth or textured finishes in several profiles | Distinctive vertical profile |
| Durability | Good | Very good | Varies by material |
| Installation | Generally quicker | Heavier and more labor intensive | Varies by material and product |
| Good Fit For | Affordability and easy upkeep | Durability and a premium look | Adding architectural character |
Vinyl Siding: The Budget-Friendly, Low-Maintenance Option
Drive through just about any Ohio neighborhood, and you’ll probably spot a home or two with vinyl siding. It’s a popular choice for a pretty practical reason: You can get a lot of mileage out of it without spending as much as you would on other options, like fiber cement.
Vinyl also gives you plenty to work with aesthetically. You’ve got plenty of different colors, textures, and profiles to choose from, so going with vinyl doesn’t lock you into one particular look. And once it’s up, you don’t have to worry about touching up paint every few years.
Now, there are a few differences between vinyl products. Thickness, insulation, wind resistance, and overall construction can vary. Installation quality is important, too, especially in Ohio, where the temperature swings from the 80s in the summer to the 20s or lower in the winter.
If you want to keep the project relatively affordable without signing yourself up for much maintenance, vinyl can be a great choice.
Fiber Cement: Higher Cost, Heavier-Duty Construction
Fiber cement has a much different feel than vinyl. It’s made with cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers, which create a heavier, more rigid siding product. It won’t rot or attract termites, and it holds its shape rather than flexing the way vinyl can.
You’re not locked into one particular look, either. Fiber cement comes in smooth and textured finishes, along with horizontal lap siding, shingles, panels, and vertical profiles. That gives you quite a bit of freedom to match the siding to the style of your home.
The weight does make installation more involved, and fiber cement will ask a little more of you over the years.
Depending on the finish you choose, repainting may eventually be part of the maintenance. You also may need to periodically refresh caulked joints and other areas where water could sneak behind the siding.
If you like the sturdier feel and design options, the steeper upfront cost might be a worthwhile trade.
Board and Batten: For a More Distinctive Exterior
Board and batten is a little different from the other options we’ve covered because it isn’t actually a material. It’s a siding style. So, this makes the comparison a little bit of apples to oranges.
Traditional board and batten was made with wood, but today, you can get the same general look in vinyl or fiber cement. The material you choose will determine much of what you can expect for maintenance, durability, and cost.
Let’s say you opt for traditional wood board and batten. Compared to the other two options, you’ll have to deal with more maintenance and the potential for rot, insects, and moisture damage.
Vinyl cuts down on that upkeep and typically costs less, while fiber cement gives you another durable option in the same timeless look.
If you like the look but aren’t sold on blanketing your whole house with it, you can mix it up.
Board and batten is often paired with horizontal lap siding and used on areas such as gables or upper stories. That’ll give you the classic vertical look without committing to it across the whole exterior.
How Ohio Weather Factors into the Siding Conversation
Your siding doesn’t get to clock out for the winter. Northern Ohio typically sees 30 to 50 inches of snow every year, and lake-effect areas can get more than 100 inches of snow. If that weren’t enough, freezing temperatures can hang around well into spring.
That makes moisture one of the bigger things to think about. Snow can sit against the lower portions of your siding before melting, and wind-driven rain can find its way into gaps around windows, doors, and other openings.
Of course, siding doesn’t have to do it alone — it has help from house wrap and flashing to keep water away from vulnerable areas. But your siding is still the first layer all that snow, rain, and wind hits.
So, when you’re picking a product, look beyond the material and check the specs for the actual siding product you’re considering.
If your home sits in an exposed area or gets hammered by lake-effect weather every winter, the wind ratings, warranties, and installation requirements may carry more weight than they would for a more sheltered home.
Which Siding Makes Sense for Your Home?
If you’re still on the fence about the right siding material or style for your home, here’s the short version:
- Vinyl: A good fit if you want to keep the upfront cost lower, have plenty of style options, and keep maintenance to a minimum.
- Fiber Cement: Worth considering if you’re comfortable spending more for a heavier, more rigid siding product with plenty of flexibility in the look.
- Board and Batten: A good choice if you’re drawn to the vertical profile, but the cost and upkeep will depend largely on whether you choose wood, vinyl, or fiber cement.
Siding Selection in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few lingering questions about siding? Here are a few answers to some of the most common questions we get.
Is fiber cement siding better than vinyl in Ohio?
Fiber cement isn’t necessarily better than vinyl, but it does have its perks. It’s heavier and more rigid and comes in several profiles and finishes. Meanwhile, vinyl typically costs less, requires less maintenance, and doesn’t need to be repainted.
So, the “better” one will vary based on what you’re looking for.
Is board-and-batten siding more expensive than vinyl?
It can be, but board and batten is a style rather than a specific material. Traditional wood board and batten will have different material, installation, and maintenance costs than a vinyl version. Fiber cement board and batten is another option, so it’s best to compare the actual products rather than the siding profiles alone.
How long does siding last in Ohio?
There’s no one-size-fits-all siding lifespan in Ohio. The material and product you choose, installation quality, maintenance, and the amount of weather exposure your home gets will affect how long it lasts.
With that said, vinyl and fiber cement siding can both last for decades when properly installed and cared for.
Does fiber cement need to be painted?
It depends on the fiber cement product. Some come with a factory-applied finish, while others are primed and painted after installation. A factory finish cuts out the initial painting job, but the siding may still need to be repainted later as the finish wears.
Does cold weather damage vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding can handle an Ohio winter, but it does get more brittle when it’s cold outside. That means an impact that might not do much damage in July could leave you with a crack in January. Cold alone usually isn’t the culprit; it’s a mix of cold vinyl and an unlucky hit.
Can damaged siding be repaired without replacing it all?
Yep, in many cases. Individual pieces of vinyl siding and damaged fiber cement boards can often be replaced without re-siding the entire house. Matching older siding is the tricky part, especially if the original color has faded or the manufacturer no longer makes that particular product.
Do you have to remove old siding before installing new siding?
Not always, but removing the existing siding gives us a chance to inspect the wall underneath it. If there’s rot, water damage, or another problem hiding behind the old siding, covering it with a new layer won’t fix it.
Find the Right Siding for Your Home
You don’t have to pick your siding based on a photo or two and a generic price range. We can help you compare your options in person, talk through what you like (and what you don’t), and figure out what makes sense for your home and budget.
DM Roofing, Siding, & Windows installs siding for homeowners throughout Northeast Ohio. Contact us today to schedule your siding estimate.
Sources & References
- Angi – “How Much Does Board and Batten Siding Cost?”
Provides typical board-and-batten siding costs and explains how pricing varies based on the material and project.
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-are-board-and-batten-siding-prices.htm - Angi – “How Much Does Fiber Cement Siding Cost?”
Provides typical fiber cement siding costs and discusses factors that can affect the price of replacement.
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-replace-vinyl-fiber-cement-siding.htm - Angi – “How Much Does Vinyl Siding Cost in Columbus, OH?”
Provides Ohio-specific vinyl siding cost information for comparison with other siding options.
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-install-vinyl-siding/oh/columbus - National Weather Service – “Cleveland Climate Normals”
Provides climate normals for Cleveland, including temperature, precipitation, and snowfall data.
https://www.weather.gov/cle/CLENormals - Ohio State University Extension – “Ohio Agronomy Guide”
Provides Ohio climate information, including annual precipitation and snowfall patterns across the state.
https://lorain.osu.edu/sites/lorain/files/imce/Program_Pages/ANR/Ohio%20Agronomy%20Guide_updated-Jan-19-18.compressed.pdf
