Photo: certainteed.com

While it’s been around for years, fiber cement siding currently enjoys popularity with homeowners for a number of reasons. Some appreciate the sustainable aspects of its manufacture. Others favor the material for its architectural appeal. Although professional installation is recommended, ongoing maintenance costs are low. Once installed, fiber cement siding lasts a lifetime, and that more than anything may explain the high demand for it.

Maintenance and Longevity
Each of the major manufacturers offers a line of fiber cement siding that meets or exceeds standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The siding stands up, not only to the elements, but also to hazards like insects and noise pollution. After 15 years, refinishing becomes necessary, but maintenance duties are light otherwise. Indeed, manufacturers’ warranties attest to the product’s durability. 30- to 50-year warranties are the norm.

Sustainability
CertainTeed, one of the leading manufacturers of fiber cement siding, says it only sources wood fiber harvested from managed forests. Another maker of fiber cement siding, Nichiha, joins CertainTeed in using fly ash—a waste residue of coal combustion—rather than silica. Nichiha also boasts of observing a host of best practices in their production process, sourcing material locally, recapturing 95% of the water used in its facilities, and recycling 100% of the scrap material it creates.

James Hardie, the founder of fiber cement in the 1970s and world leader in the category, is equally committed to sustainability—sourcing 90% of their materials from regional suppliers, and employing waste minimization and solid waste recycling technologies to support Zero to Landfill initiatives.  While cement, water, sand and cellulose fibers are used for Hardie siding products, fly ash is not: the company believes that it adversely impacts the durability of fiber cement.

Related: Composite Shakes and Slates: The Great Pretenders

HardiePlank Lap Siding from James Hardie

Architectural Appeal
Fiber cement siding comes in a variety of designs: Lap, plank, vertical, shake, curved-shake and geometric patterns are all available. A host of textures can be found as well, and the siding may be colored to virtually any hue the homeowner desires. Some fiber cement siding products are made to resemble wood, while others imitate the look of natural fieldstone, stacked flagstone, or brick.

Affordability
The upfront expenses associated with fiber cement siding are not inconsiderable, being that professional installation is a must. However, the ongoing maintenance costs are minimal. You can expect to pay out for refinishing work about every 15 years or so, but the lion’s share of the overall cost will come at the beginning of the product’s 50-plus-year lifespan.

Versus Wood or Vinyl Siding
Wood siding boasts a timeless beauty, and many homeowners value the way its appearance gradually changes in subtle ways. You can save on installation by doing the work yourself, but wood siding products are often expensive to buy, and over time, the material demands a high level of maintenance.

Though colorfast and resistant to insects and rot, vinyl siding is not maintenance free: It’s vulnerability to weather damage makes occasional repairs necessary. The price tag is low enough to have enticed many, and another big selling point is its relative ease of installation.

If your priority is good looks, then you can’t go wrong with wood. If budget is your main concern, look no further than vinyl. Consider fiber cement siding if you are looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance material that performs well and doesn’t look half bad, either.

Fiber Cement Siding 101 Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: portableairshop.com

Types of Air Conditioners
1. Window units
2. Through-the-wall units
3. Portable units
4. Central or whole-home units

Window units are the most popular air conditioners, and for DIYers, they are the easiest to install and remove. This type of air conditioner fits in a window opening and vents to the outside.

Through-the-wall units are larger and heavier than window units. Rather than sitting in a window, a through-the-wall unit rests within a weight-supporting air conditioner sleeve set into an exterior wall. Electric circuitry must be reviewed, especially in older homes, because these units often require greater amperage and voltage.

Related: 10 “Really Cool” Cooling Fans

Versatile by design, portable air conditioners—ideal for windowless spaces—exhaust through temporary ducting and can be moved from room to room.

Central or whole-home units cool the entire house at once. Frequently combined with heating for a complete HVAC system, they are the most expensive option and typically require expert installation.

Photo: shutterstock.com

Cooling Capacity of the Air Conditioner
Air conditioning capacity is measured in units called BTUs. A small window air conditioner can deliver as few as 3,000 BTUs, while a through-the-wall unit can exceed 20,000 BTUs.

Room size is perhaps the most important factor in determining the size of air conditioner you need, but consider also:

1. The number of windows in the room
2. The room’s exposure
3. The quality of room insulation
4. Other appliances that may be in use
5. The number of people in the room

Consult a handy BTU calculator to figure out exactly how many BTUs your air conditioner should have to keep your space cool.

Efficiency
Energy efficiency is measured by the Energy Efficiency Ratio rating (EER)—the ratio of the cooling capacity in BTUs per hour to the power input in watts (the higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner).

Air conditioners, especially older units, are among the most expensive appliances to run. Choosing an appropriately sized unit is critical, because a unit that is too small will not meet your cooling demands, and one that is too large will cost more to run and will not properly control humidity.

In making your decision, first identify units capable of adequately cooling your space and then purchase the one from that group with the lowest BTU capacity and the highest EER rating.

When and How to Buy
During the summer, air conditioners are an in-demand commodity, which means they are in short supply and consequently more expensive. You’ll save money if you buy during the off-season, when manufacturers frequently offer rebates.

As well, some municipalities and utility companies offer rebates on units with minimum EER ratings. And if you opt for central air, you may qualify for a tax credit to offset the purchase of an efficient whole-home HVAC system.

In general, your best bet is to buy before summer, and remember to look for a warranty.

For more on home cooling, consider:

New Air Conditioning for Old Houses
Cool Your House with Smart Landscaping
Quick Tip: Alternatives to Air Conditioning

Top Tips for Choosing an Air Conditioner Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

Photo: excelconstructiontx.com

Thinking about giving your dated kitchen a new appearance? Fortunately, there is a cost-effective alternative to replacing your cabinets completely—you can reface them. Refacing is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to achieve a refreshed aesthetic with minimal disruption to your kitchen and daily life.

Cabinet Boxes and Trim
As part of a refacing project, the cabinet boxes and frames are usually kept, while the cabinet doors and drawer fronts are replaced. (The size and layout of your cabinets remains unchanged.) Assuming your cabinet boxes are are in good condition, the next step is to decide on the look you wish them to have.

Painting the boxes is one option. If, however, you desire traditional stained wood or a smooth, glossy, and modern finish, a veneer layer will need to be added. Veneers are available factory-finished or unfinished, the latter of which may be stained.

Note: Applying the veneer requires care and precision. Prefinished veneers are difficult to touch up, even if you make a minor mistake during installation. Unfinished veneers are very thin but can be touched up more easily.

Doors and Drawer Fronts
Standard cabinet door styles and sizes will be appropriate for most cabinet openings, and the same is true of cabinet drawer fronts. To reface older or custom cabinets whose dimensions are not standard, you can always opt to have specially sized doors or drawer fronts manufactured, but doing so can significantly cut into any savings you gain by choosing to reface.

Like veneer, cabinets doors and drawer fronts are available unfinished (which you can paint or stain) or prefinished. Given the wide selection available, it should be easy to find a standard factory finish to your liking.

Photo: buzzle.com

Measuring
When shopping for new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, accurate measurements are of the utmost importance, particularly when purchasing online. To minimize error, provide your cabinetmaker with an old door and drawer front in each size that you will need.

Hardware
New hardware is an important part of refacing. If possible, coordinate your choice of knobs or pulls with the hinges of your cabinet doors. Remember that, because re-hanging cabinet doors can be tricky, the smart move is to use adjustable hinges, which allow for adjustments and fine-tuning to be done with a screwdriver.

A Final Thought
Refacing cabinets with new doors and drawer fronts is a straightforward project for the experienced do-it-yourselfer. But even if you decide to hire a contractor, the cost remains significantly less than a complete kitchen cabinet replacement.

Most impressive of all is the fact that you can have a new kitchen within the space of only one or two weekends!

For more on kitchen cabinets, consider:

Kitchen Cabinets 101
How To: Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
5 Creative Alternatives to Kitchen Cabinetry

Cabinet Refacing: Should I or Shouldn’t I? Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com