Innovations in building materials introduce advancements that deliver everything from greater sustainability and energy efficiency to dramatically improved aesthetics. Among this broad range of benefits, none is more important than greater durability when it comes to products that must withstand the elements. After all, even everyday weather can take its toll on exterior building materials. And, as we all know, weather isn’t always so everyday.
Damaging weather events seem to be occurring with greater frequency and intensity from year to year. To make matters worse, the costs associated with these storms is growing, as well. Hail damage alone has risen continually over the past several years, now averaging between $8 and $10 billion in damages annually.
Misconceptions About Hail
While not as visually dramatic or emotionally gut-wrenching as damage from high winds and high water, the destructive force of hail can be every bit as devastating, and even more costly. In fact, hail accounts for around 70% of all the costs associated with damage from violent storms. And, if you find that surprising, you may be even more shocked to learn that hail damage is not limited to just rooftops. High winds often accompany hailstorms, sending the jagged, icy projectiles hurtling sideways into whatever gets in their way, shattering windows and shredding vinyl siding. For example, in a recent $2-billion hailstorm in Minneapolis, a vast amount of the damage was from golf ball-sized hail ripping into siding.
You May Be in the Storm’s Path
While there are some locales that are more prone to hailstorms than others, this ice-producing phenomenon can occur just about anywhere. What’s more, it doesn’t take baseball-sized hail to do significant damage. Even quarter-sized hail has been known to completely destroy the siding of entire neighborhoods.
Not the Main Thing, but a Good Thing
When the innovation of fiber cement siding was first developed, durability was certainly a selling point, with unmatched ability to stand up to moisture, intense baking sunlight, freezing temperatures, insects, and even fire. (Allura Fiber Cement has a Class-A fire rating.) The material’s ability to stand up to hail really wasn’t discussed a lot. But as storms seem to grow in intensity and the costs of repairing their damage continues to soar, perhaps it’s time that resistance to hail be bumped up on the list of the siding’s benefits. (We may as well add errant baseballs, golf balls and other backyard flying objects to the list while we're at it.)
Durability Can Be Beautiful
The wonderful thing about opting for fiber cement siding is you’re not sacrificing curb appeal for its unsurpassed toughness. On the contrary, eye-catching appearance is what many people site first when asked what they like about their fiber cement siding. For instance, Allura Fiber Cement Siding customers enjoy an industry-best 50-year warranty, but when they recommend the product to others, they tend to show lots of pictures.
Put Up What Stands Up
If you’re about to replace aging or damaged vinyl siding or you’re getting ready to build a new home, consider putting up Allura Fiber Cement if you’d like to take weather (and a lot of other things) off your list of worries. It’s guaranteed to stand up to just about whatever Mother Nature throws its way. Which, around here, can be just about anything.
