A Detailed Look at Nichiha Fiber Cement Siding
Besides cost and aesthetic differences, you may be surprised at how well Nichiha fiber cement siding separates itself. We will unveil key features and articulate how Nichiha siding compares to other cementitious offerings.
Nichiha is only one of many siding replacement options. With a handful of siding companies that manufacture siding, they all vary in subtle yet technically recognizable ways.
According to the most recent data, 21% of newly constructed homes throughout the U.S. installed fiber cement siding. That increase is more than double from a decade prior.
Let’s explore and see if this siding style is a good fit for your siding replacement project!
The Look & Reveal of Nichiha Siding
The composition, texture, and reveal of Nichiha are distinguished and, in some ways, drastically different from an environmental and manufacturing standpoint. But hold on to that thought as we will outline Nichihas’ improved environmental implications deeper in just a bit.
Continuing with appearance, Nichiha has various stylish and convincing siding options. They also have a wide range of colors and textures, matching nearly any architectural style. They have the widest selection of any brand of fiber cement siding on the market.
The distinctive look is attributed to their proprietary mixture poured into preformed molds and placed under extremely high pressure during the stamping process. By doing so, Nichiha siding achieves deeper grooves, and more realistic textures and contains less pattern repetition – providing the most convincing wood grain textured look by comparison.
Nichiha Recycled Materials & Natural Resource Usage
50% of the materials used for Nichiha siding manufacturing derive from recycled materials. Nichiha also uses less silica while increasing fly ash in its formula, helping to offset cement and sand usage.
Recycling fly ash, which otherwise would result in a landfill, is a resourceful and responsible alternative to manufacturing siding. They also use post-consumer pulp fibers, meaning paper that has been recycled and diverted from landfills. Combining these environmentally-conscious practices gives the siding a green product labeling.
Another area where Nichiha stands apart is limited water consumption. Overall, manufacturing fiber cement uses a tremendous amount of water, contributing to a fair share of wastewater. However, Nichiha uses an on-site water treatment plant that recycles 95% of the water used. The remaining five percent is treated until safe before being returned to their municipal water treatment systems.
Thanks to the amount of recycled cellulose wood fiber, fly ash, and recycled water, installing Nichiha siding on your home qualifies for up to 2 LEED credits!
Nichiha Siding Increased R-Value
During the process of any exterior home renovation at scale, you should always consider how the renovation will increase efficiency or R-value.
R-Value is the ability by which any building material can increase energy efficiency by retaining heat. In summary, an increased R-value reduces the energy consumption needed to heat or cool indoor spaces.
In relation to siding replacement, housewrap is one of the most critical installations, improving R-values by making wall cavities airtight. Air is the most common means of transferring moisture, and basic building science demands preventing humid air from condensing inside wall cavities.
However, there is a lot of conflicting information regarding the R-values of cement siding. Some claims say fiber cement siding has an R-value of between .05 to .15. That’s pretty low. Yet when visiting the sites of different manufacturers of fiber cement cladding, you’ll find they present starkly higher numbers on their sites.
When comparing R-value numbers, a fiber cement siding of ¼” thickness might have an R-value of .05-0.15. Nichiha’s siding is between ⅝” to 1 ⅜” thick, depending on the product, with R-Values of 1.23-2.23, making your home airtight while not contributing to your indoor air pollution.
Nichiha is leading the way in fiber cement siding advancements between their conscientious effort to protect your health and the environment.
How Nichiha Stands Against the Elements
Pests can’t chew through the material, thanks to its cementitious construction. Nichiha siding replacements also help prevent insects from nesting in wall cavities behind the paneling.
Furthermore, Nichiha siding has a unique quality of limiting mold, mildew, and fungus growth. Nichiha siding panels are moisture-resistant; however, they are not moisture-proof. Proper siding installation involves sealing all exposed cut edges, exposed gaps, clearances, and any areas containing prolonged or continued contact with moisture.
Untread exposed edges will compromise the panels and void the warranty. All the more reason to hire a professional siding company to ensure proper siding installations.
Nichiha designs most of its siding for rain screen systems where the panels interlock, making the installation more straightforward, thus lowering siding installation costs. Thanks to their hidden installation clips, similar in design to vinyl siding installation systems, this additional layer of protection help prevent moisture absorption and further sets them apart from competitors.
Additionally, Nichihas’ resistance to heat, and warping, ability to withstand the elements, and ease of installation translate to a cost-effective, naturally appearing siding that reduces maintenance.
Nichiha Siding Warranty
Nichiha’s factory-painted options start with a 15-year warranty. However, we have seen Nichiha siding last longer in our experience.
Three protective coats are applied to their pre-finished offerings. The coating process includes two coats of primer and one coat of anti-efflorescence sealer for improved moisture resistance.
The factory coating contains a high volume of solids, providing added protection and reducing the chances of future failures. The high volume of solids also resists chalking better when compared to traditional household paints.
Pre-finished siding resists fade and requires less frequent repaints. Although, washing home siding every year will undoubtedly help retain paint sheen and color and eliminate premature degradation.
Another consideration for upgrading to pre-finished siding is not having to paint the siding on-site eliminates dealing with paint VOCs.
Nichiha Siding Material Costs
Nichiha siding installation systems simplify and ensure a professional siding installation. Nichiha comes in at about 15% less to install per square foot, thanks to its sustainable manufacturing processes and simplified installation methods.
As professional siding installers, we appreciate the reduction of time and labor required to install Nichiha siding. With a lower environmental impact, a safer product, a higher R-value, and a lower carbon footprint, Nichiha is currently in a class of its own.
Reasons for Consideration
Proven to protect your home and your health, and capable of matching nearly any esthetic! It’s no wonder it’s being used worldwide.
Nichiha is installed worldwide but not as easily accessible as other brands. If you want to compare prices and availability, you should first call your local distributor to see if they have Nichiha siding in stock.
You can also check online or reach out to Nichiha directly to see who carries their product locally. Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective or durable siding replacement option, Nichiha’s fiber cement siding grants serious consideration.
