According to a September 3, 2013 news story on MyFoxTwinCities.com, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area experienced a rather interesting half-cold, half-warm period in the previous month:
August was the tale of two months that had one common story. The two tales involved temperatures. The first half of the month continued the trend of below normal temperatures that started in the second half of July. Then, in the middle of the month, the weather pattern quickly switched and the second half of the month switched to having well above normal temperatures, with several record highs being set between the 25th and 27th.
Of course, winter is now fast approaching the Twin Cities, and any period of warmth is not likely to come again soon. Because of its location in the northern and central section of the U.S., the Twin Cities are expected to get more cold—and more precipitation—than any other metro. More precipitation means more rain and ice, both of which can damage the siding of your home.
If it’s time to change your home’s siding material to make it better withstand the winter, remember that the perfect choice offers the right mix of affordability, durability, longevity, and ease of maintenance. Although wood, stucco, and vinyl are fine choices for siding in Twin Cities residences, there is one option that can top them all for various reasons: fiber cement from James Hardie®.
First, James Hardie® fiber cement uses four sustainable ingredients: cellulose fiber, cement, sand, and water. Cellulose fiber acts as filler for the siding. Sand makes it resilient to all weather. Cement, which is composed of clay, iron, and limestone, binds the other ingredients. Finally, water hardens the cement to keep them all together.
Second, James Hardie® fiber cement siding has that mix of qualities any homeowner should look for in the product. It costs approximately the same as high-end vinyl and less than stucco, brick, and stone. It holds up against damage from humidity, hail, and flame spread. It also has a limited transferable product warranty valid up to 30 years. Moreover, unlike wood siding, fiber cement does not warp, rot, or delaminate.
With winter a few months away, ensure that your home uses quality siding so you will be shielded from the cold. Ask companies like Twin Cities Siding & Roofing if they have James Hardie® products or any other offerings that will benefit you.
(Info from Your Complete Guide to James Hardie® Fiber Cement Siding, Philadelphia.CBSLocal.com, January 18, 2013)
