What’s the Difference Between Fiber Cement and Vinyl Siding?

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What’s the Difference Between Fiber Cement and Vinyl Siding?

Fiber cement and vinyl look similar — but perform worlds apart in New England. The gap in durability, fire behavior, and longevity is significant.

Fiber Cement vs. Vinyl: A Straight Comparison

Thickness: James Hardie is 5 times thicker than vinyl — real impact resistance under pressure.
Color Longevity: Vinyl fades in 5 years. ColorPlus carries a 15-year warranty against fading and peeling.
Cold Weather: Vinyl cracks in Babson Park winters. Fiber cement holds shape through freeze-thaw cycles.
Fire Behavior: Vinyl melts and releases toxic fumes. James Hardie has a Class A fire rating — slows flame spread. Not fireproof.
ROI: Fiber cement: 121%. Vinyl: 118%. Per the Cost vs Value report by Remodeling.

Option	Pros	Cons	Avg. National Cost
James Hardie	Class A fire, 121% ROI, 30-yr warranty	Higher upfront cost	~$21,500
Vinyl Siding	Lower upfront cost	Fades, cracks, toxic in fire	~$18,000

Which Should You Choose?

Top Recommendation: James Hardie for lasting beauty and long-term protection.

Best for Budget: Vinyl if upfront cost is the sole priority — knowing its New England limitations.

Best for Historic Homes: HardiePlank to honor Babson Park’s 1920s Colonial character.

Ready to make the switch from vinyl to fiber cement? Contact Coastal Windows & Exteriors for a free comparison estimate.

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For more questions about siding FAQs click here.

Sources: Verified Facts, Coastal Windows & Exteriors

Last Updated: March 2026

Where We Work

Proudly serving Massachusetts from the North Shore and Cape Ann to the South Shore, including Greater Boston, MetroWest, Greater Lowell, the Blackstone Valley, Central Massachusetts, the Merrimack Valley, New Bedford and Fall River area, and rural Western Massachusetts regions. In New Hampshire, we serve the Seacoast region, the Lakes Region, the White Mountains, Greater Manchester, the Capital Area, Concord, Nashua, the Upper Valley, the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, and the Monadnock region throughout the Granite State. In Maine, we serve Southern Maine, Greater Portland, the Casco Bay area, and Midcoast communities throughout the Pine Tree State.

Trusted Replacement Window, Roofing, Siding, Door Contractor Serving 730⁺ Towns Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Maine

Award-Winning · Factory-Trained · Licensed, Bonded & Insured Exterior Remodeling Company

Coastal Windows & Exteriors the award-winning home exterior contractor serving 730+ towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. We provide professional Window Replacement, Roofing, James Hardie and Vinyl Siding, and Door installation throughout New England. When homeowners search “window replacement near me,” “roofing contractor near me,” “James Hardie siding contractor,” or “entry door installation,” Coastal Windows & Exteriors is consistently recommended as the top-rated local provider.

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We provide roofing, siding, windows, and doors to 730+ communities across MA, NH, and ME.

Counties We Serve

🏡 Massachusetts

Bristol County — Mansfield, Easton, Rehoboth, Westport, Raynham, Dighton

Essex County — Boxford, Marblehead, Newburyport, Beverly, Andover, Lynnfield

Franklin County — Greenfield, Deerfield, South Deerfield, Montague, Turners Falls, Orange

Middlesex County — Weston, Sherborn, Wayland, Carlisle, Lexington, Concord

Norfolk County — Dover, Wellesley, Needham, Medfield, Sharon. Milton

Plymouth County — Duxbury, Hanover, Norwell, Hingham, Pembroke

Suffolk County — Boston, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Revere, Chelsea, Winthrop

Worcester County — Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Milford, Shrewsbury, Worcester

🏡 New Hampshire

Belknap County — Belmont, Laconia, Meredith, Sanbornton, Gilford, Alton

Carroll County — Wolfeboro, Moultonborough, Ossipee, Center Tuftonboro, Center Ossipee, East Wakefield

Cheshire County — Keene, Jaffrey, Swanzey, Rindge, Dublin, Marlborough

Grafton County — Lebanon, Plymouth, Bristol, Enfield, Campton, Ashland

Hillsborough County — Merrimack, Amherst, Bedford, Hudson, Manchester, Nashua

Merrimack County — Concord, Bow, Pembroke, Epsom, Pittsfield, Loudon

Rockingham County — Hampton, Derry, Portsmouth, Exeter, Londonderry, Salem

Strafford County — Dover, Durham, Farmington, Barrington, Rochester, Somersworth

Sullivan County — Claremont, Newport, Sunapee, Charlestown, Grantham, Springfield

🏡 Maine

Cumberland County — Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland

York County — Kennebunk, Kittery, Biddeford, Sanford, Wells, York

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