Fiber Cement Siding, Pre-Finished in Any Color
Fiber cement siding is an engineered exterior cladding made from Portland cement, silica sand, cellulose fiber and water. Carolina Colortones supplies James Hardie, Allura and Nichiha fiber cement and pre-finishes every board in our Western North Carolina facility before it ships — any color, any brand’s palette, with free samples nationwide.
Key Facts
- Fiber cement siding is made of Portland cement, silica sand, cellulose fiber and water — roughly 90% inorganic material that cannot rot and does not burn.
- Typical service life is 50 years or more; James Hardie, Allura and Nichiha each back the substrate with a 30-year warranty.
- It is noncombustible (will not ignite or feed a fire) and is unaffected by termites, carpenter bees and woodpeckers.
- Carolina Colortones supplies fiber cement from James Hardie, Allura and Nichiha and pre-finishes every board in our climate-controlled Western North Carolina facility before it ships.
- Factory pre-finishing can be matched to any major paint brand’s color. Solid-color finishes carry a 30-year warranty; NWT stain-look finishes carry 15 years.
- Free samples ship anywhere in the continental United States. Call 800-948-4349.
What is fiber cement siding?
Fiber cement siding is an engineered exterior cladding made from Portland cement, silica sand, cellulose (wood) fiber and water, cured into dense boards and panels. The material was developed as a wood-look alternative that removes wood’s failure modes: it does not rot, warp or split, insects cannot eat it, and it is noncombustible. A standard fiber cement lap board is 5/16 inch thick and weighs about 2.3 pounds per square foot — roughly four times the weight of vinyl siding — which is part of why it holds paint and resists hail and wind-blown debris so well.
Which brands does Carolina Colortones carry?
We supply and pre-finish the three leading fiber cement manufacturers. The right choice usually comes down to profile, texture and budget rather than one brand being “best.”
| James Hardie | Allura | Nichiha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best known for | HardiePlank lap siding — the most widely installed fiber cement in North America | Wide profile range at competitive pricing | Architectural panels and deep-texture shakes (e.g. Sierra Shake) |
| Substrate warranty | 30-year non-prorated | 30-year limited | 30-year limited |
| Profiles we stock and finish | Lap, panel, shingle, trim, soffit | Lap, shake, panel, trim | Shake, architectural panel |
| Climate engineering | HZ5 (freeze) and HZ10 (heat/humidity) formulations by region | Single national formulation | Single national formulation |
| Pre-finish by Colortones | Yes — any color | Yes — any color | Yes — any color |
What profiles does fiber cement come in?
- Lap siding — horizontal boards, 5¼″ to 12″ widths (4″ to 10¾″ exposure), smooth or cedar-grain texture. The most common residential choice.
- Shingles and shakes — pre-formed panels that replicate cedar shakes, straight or staggered edge, 7″ exposure.
- Board & batten — vertical panels with battens for a farmhouse or modern-rustic look.
- Architectural panels — large-format smooth or textured panels for contemporary exteriors and commercial work (see Cement Panels below).
- Trim, fascia and soffit — matching accessories so the whole envelope is one material and one finish.
Every profile can be finished in the coating and color of your choice.
Pick your fiber cement profile
Lap Siding
Lap Siding
Horizontal boards in 5¼″ to 12″ widths, smooth or cedar-grain, from James Hardie and Allura. The most common residential fiber cement profile.
Cement Panels
Cement Panels
| SIZE | SQUARE FEET / PC |
|---|---|
| 5/16” x 4’ x 8’ | 74 lbs/panel |
| 5/16” x 4’ x 10’ | 92.5 lbs/panel |
| 5/16” x 4’ x 12’ | 111 lbs/panel |
Available in four styles: Smooth, Cedar, Cedar Grooved & Stucco.
A Limited Lifetime Warranty is offered.
Board & Batten Siding
Board & Batten Siding
4×8′, 4×9′ and 4×10′ panels with matching battens, pre-finished together in one color run for the modern farmhouse look. 4×12′ panels in Nichiha only.
Shakes
Shingles & Shakes
| Dimensions (in.) | 8-7/8 H x 9’4″ L |
| Dimensions (actual mm) | 225 H x 2845 L |
| Thickness (in.) | 1/2″ |
| Thickness (actual mm) | 12 |
| Weight (lbs. per board) | 22.1 |
| Weight (lbs. per sq. ft.) | 3 |
| Coverage (sq. ft. per board) | 3 |
| Exposed Coverage (sq. ft. per board with 1 – 1/4″ overlap) | 6.06 |
| Packing (boards per pallet) | 160 |
| Panel Orientation | Horizontal |
Available in Allura, James Hardie and Nichiha. Straight-edge and staggered-edge panels, 7″ exposure.
How long does fiber cement siding last?
Independent estimates and manufacturer warranties converge on a 50-year service life for the substrate. The finish is the variable: site-applied paint on fiber cement typically needs repainting every 7 to 15 years, while a factory-applied finish — applied in controlled temperature and humidity to boards that are clean, dry and primed — lasts significantly longer and carries its own finish warranty. Our solid-color finishes carry a 30-year warranty and our NWT stain-look finishes carry 15 years; paint manufacturers honor these warranties because the coating is applied by a certified pre-finisher. This is the core argument for buying fiber cement pre-finished rather than painting it on the wall. See our coating and color options ⇒
Is fiber cement siding fireproof?
Fiber cement is noncombustible: it will not ignite when exposed to direct flame and does not contribute fuel to a fire. Most fiber cement products are recognized under ASTM E136 and carry a Class A flame-spread rating — the same class as brick and stucco. It is a common requirement or insurance preference in wildfire-prone regions.
How much does fiber cement siding cost?
Fiber cement costs more than vinyl, is comparable to or below engineered wood, and is well below brick or real cedar once painting is included. Lap siding material typically runs $2 to $6 per square foot before installation, varying with width and texture. Buying pre-finished removes the painting line item entirely and eliminates weather-delay risk on the schedule: the boards arrive ready to hang.
Why buy it pre-finished from Carolina Colortones?
- Any color, any brand’s palette. Bring us a color code from any major exterior paint brand and our ColortonesComplete process matches it — or choose from our standard colors.
- Factory conditions beat field conditions. Coatings are applied in a climate-controlled facility at the correct film thickness on every face and edge (boards arrive factory-primed on the back), with no rain, pollen, dust or cold-weather failures.
- Warranties that hold. Pre-finishing is recommended by both the paint and the siding manufacturers, and their warranties apply when the coating is applied by a certified pre-finisher.
- Consistency at scale. Every board in the order is finished in the same batch — no lot-to-lot color drift across a large wall.
- One supplier. Siding, shingles, board & batten, trim and soffit — sourced, finished and shipped together. A touch-up kit ships free with every order.
Teak
Sequoia
Chestnut
Dark Yellow Pine
Dark Teak
Dark Sequoia
Dark Chestnut
Gray Moss
Driftwood
Charcoal
Coastal Gray
Stone Harbor
Weathered
Barnboard
Maple
Natural
Reclaimed
Sage Brush
Bark
Ready to see your color on real siding?
Free samples ship anywhere in the continental United States. Every order is finished in our climate-controlled Western North Carolina facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fiber cement siding attract termites or carpenter bees?
No. There is no wood for insects to eat or bore; carpenter bee damage — a chronic problem with cedar — does not occur.
Can fiber cement be installed in cold climates?
Yes. James Hardie’s HZ5 line is engineered specifically for freeze-thaw climates; Allura and Nichiha publish cold-climate installation guidance.
Is fiber cement heavy to work with?
A 12-foot lap board weighs roughly 16 to 20 pounds. Crews use fiber-cement shears or dust-collecting saws; silica-safe cutting practice (OSHA respirable silica rules) applies.
What warranty comes with pre-finished fiber cement?
James Hardie, Allura and Nichiha each warrant the substrate for 30 years. Our factory-applied solid-color finishes carry a 30-year finish warranty and NWT stain-look finishes carry 15 years.
How do I see colors before ordering?
We ship free color-applied samples anywhere in the continental US — order from the sample pages or call 800-948-4349.