Fiber cement shingles are types of shingles that have been used on all types of homes for well over 100 years. You will find that there are a lot of pros as well as some cons that go along with these shingles. It is important that you understand what these shingles are and what they are best used for so that you will be able to get the most out of them. Having a basic understanding about what to keep in mind during installation as well as after the fact will allow you to have the ability to know whether or not these shingles are right for you.
What Are They?
Basically, fiber cement shingles are shingles that are made by putting together sand, protective additives, cement and wood. Mixing all of these together will bring you fiber cement shingles. There are several different colors that these shingles can come in. There is no finish that will need to be applied to them and they will easily last you for multiple decades. The shingles themselves will come in very large sheets so that you will be able to install a single shingle over a large area in no time. These shingles can come installed in several different looks.
Installation
These shingles can be installed relatively easily. You will need to make sure that you apply a water sealant material over the area you will be working on first. Measuring is very important with these types of shingles. Make sure that you plan ahead for any doors or windows and that you measure carefully and accurately. Installation should be done with an assistant so that you will be able to have the opportunity to lift these very large and heavy sheets easily.
Benefits
There are several reasons that people prefer fiber cement shingles over other types. One of the main reasons is the fact that these shingles will not warp or rot over time. Humidity and moisture are not an issue with these shingles. Denting or chipping is also not an issue with these types of shingles. They are also resistant to termites as well as fire. High wind and any adverse weather conditions are not an issue with fiber cement shingles. Their durability is something that makes them very attractive to roofers of all kinds.
Cons
One of the biggest problems with these shingles is that they are very heavy. This is something that can slow the installation process down, especially whenever you are working by yourself. However, the more help that you have, the faster and easier installation will be for you. Something else that you are going to have to be careful of during installation is whenever you are cutting the shingles. The shingles will give off a dust that can be very dangerous to inhale. The dust is called silica and can cause serious illness. However, once you have cut the shingles and the dust has had time to settle the risk of this dust is gone forever.
Fiber cement shingles are types of shingles that have been used on all types of homes for well over 100 years. You will find that there are a lot of pros as well as some cons that go along with these shingles. It is important that you understand what these shingles are and what they are best used for so that you will be able to get the most out of them. Having a basic understanding about its installation and maintenance will allow you to decide whether or not these shingles are right for you.
What Are Fiber Cement Shingles?
Fiber cement shingles are shingles that are made by putting together sand, protective additives, cement and wood. There are several different styles and colors that these shingles come in. A finish does not need to be applied to them and they will easily last you for multiple decades. The shingles themselves come in very large sheets so that you will be able to install a single shingle over a large area in no time.
Is it Difficult to Install?
These shingles can be installed relatively easily. You will need to make sure that you apply a water sealant material over the area you will be working on first. Measuring is very important with these types of shingles. Make sure that you plan ahead for any doors or windows and that you measure carefully and accurately. Installation should be done with an assistant so that you will be able to have the opportunity to lift these very large and heavy sheets easily.
What are the Benefits of Fiber Cement Shingles?
There are several reasons that people prefer fiber cement shingles over other types. One of the main reasons is the fact that these shingles will not warp or rot over time. Humidity, moisture, denting and chipping are not issues with these shingles. They are also resistant to termites as well as fire. High wind and any adverse weather conditions do not affect fiber cement shingles. Their durability is something that makes them very attractive to roofers of all kinds.
What are the Cons?
One of the biggest problems with these shingles is that they are very heavy. This is something that can slow the installation process down, especially when you are working by yourself. The more help that you have, the faster and easier installation will be for you. Something else that you are going to have to be careful of during installation is when you are cutting the shingles. The shingles will give off a dust that can be very dangerous to inhale. The dust is called silica and can cause serious illness. However, once you have cut the shingles and the dust has had time to settle the risk of this dust is gone forever.
