For over 50 years, Allura has been selling fiber cement siding to property owners in various parts of the country. Their fiber cement siding looks attractive, is durable, and is resistant to common issues such as insect damage.
If you are in the market looking for new siding, there are many reasons why Allura may seem like a top choice. But before ordering it, you should familiarize yourself with common Allura siding problems.
1. Premature Cracking
The biggest problem with Allura siding is that it’s quite vulnerable to cracking prematurely. This problem is so rampant that Allura has been sued. I will get into many details later on.
Back to Allura’s premature cracking. This problem usually occurs within five years after installation. And the cracks grow with size as time goes by. Premature cracking of Allura siding occurs in several areas, leading to expensive repairs.
What I have gathered from most complaints is that this problem is attributed to the siding being defective, and the manufacturers are aware of this. As a potential buyer, this is a huge red flag.
2. It Absorbs Moisture
It’s through moisture absorption that the cracks mentioned above are formed in the first place. This problem is mainly attributed to the fiber cement material.
Unlike vinyl siding, Allura’s fiber cement can absorb and hold onto moisture. This degrades the siding and can even lead to the development of mold.
So, if you are interested in Allura siding, you must address moisture problems by painting the surface and sealing gaps with caulk.
The installation also needs to be done correctly, and the siding ought to be inspected for leaks frequently to avoid the effects of water damage.
3. Allura Has a Habit of Not Honoring Warranties
Allura’s 30-year warranty is one of its selling points. However, from the lawsuits I have seen, this brand has a habit of not honoring warranties.
Most customers ignore the details of Allura’s warranty when making a purchase. As a result, it becomes more challenging to file claims when the siding degrades prematurely.
4. It Needs Regular Maintenance
Whenever you come across Allura siding, the product descriptions talk a great deal about how easy it is to maintain. But that’s usually untrue. Fiber cement sidings do need maintenance.
Forget about the misconceptions that are being popularized by some vendors. To maintain the finish of your Allura siding, you will need to repaint it occasionally. You will also have to caulk it to seal any gaps.
5. Allura Siding Has a Complex Installation Process
If you are a fan of our blog, then you are aware of how much we encourage our readers to engage in DIY projects. However, today, we won’t recommend the installation of Allura siding because it can be pretty hectic.
First of all, Allura siding requires a careful installation method to avoid moisture issues. Secondly, Allura siding releases silica when you cut it, which poses several serious health concerns when inhaled.
As if that’s not enough, fiber cement is very heavy, and carrying or installing these boards requires an extra set of hands.
If you are used to installing siding by yourself, this time, you may be forced to dig deeper into your pockets and pay professional contractors.
6. Allura’s Fiber Cement Siding isn’t Environmentally Friendly
Compared to vinyl and cedar siding, fiber cement is one of the least environmentally friendly materials. The manufacturing process of fiber cement is aggressive, and it, therefore, uses a lot of energy and resources.
Because of its heavy weight, this material is difficult to transport. So, if you care about the environment, you are better off going with another siding material.
7. Allura Siding Needs More Insulation
Allura fiber cement has a much lower R-value than vinyl, making it less energy efficient. If you settle for Allura siding, prepare to lose a lot of energy to the environment. The only way to mitigate this problem is by adding more insulation to reach the recommended r-value.
What are the Perks of Allura Siding?
Allura siding, despite its fair share of problems, does have a couple of advantages which include;
• It’s quite durable – As long as your Allura siding doesn’t crack prematurely, it can last for a long time. That’s because fiber cement is pretty sturdy.
• It can withstand strong winds – Unlike vinyl which can easily snap when exposed to strong winds, Allura siding is quite strong and will hold its ground when exposed to strong weather.
• It’s widely available – Allura has been around for several decades. Therefore, their product is widely distributed to most parts of the country.
• Allura comes in multiple finishes and colors – Whether you need a wood finish or something classic, Allura is available in numerous stains and colors.
• It’s resistant to insect damage – One of the reasons homeowners dislike real cedar siding is because of insect damage. This will, however, be the least of your worries if you choose Allura’s fiber cement.
• They have a thirty-year warranty – This would make a lot of sense if Allura honored people’s warranties.
Has Allura Ever Been Sued Because of the Above Issues?
In 2021, Allura received a class action lawsuit because their siding was cracking prematurely, and the company was not honoring claims.
The lawsuit claimed that Allura siding is vulnerable to early degradation and failure. This lawsuit affected Allura siding, which was made either in the Oregon or North Carolina plants.
The presence of a lawsuit indicates that this was a pretty serious problem. Even though there haven’t been any complaints in the past few years, homeowners interested in this siding should approach it cautiously.
I would strongly advise you to thoroughly review their warranty before buying the fiber cement siding. This is the only way to be assured of compensation should anything go south.
Does Allura Siding Contain Asbestos?
During the early days of fiber cement products, they were suspected of containing asbestos. But I can confirm that Allura siding is asbestos-free. This isn’t a problem that you need to worry about.
Does Allura Siding Look Plain and Boring?
This is a widespread misconception against fiber cement sidings. However, Allura’s sidings are far from being considered dull.
You can get them in more than twenty colors. Some designs of Allura siding imitate real wood, which can significantly spice up your home’s exterior.
Should You Buy and Install Allura Siding?
After reading the above Allura siding problems, you may have doubts about installing this siding in your home. However, you need to understand that all siding materials have several drawbacks.
Take a look at vinyl sidings, for example. They warp easily and can’t withstand harsh climates. That’s the same case with Allura fiber cement siding.
I think that Allura siding is a decent product. However, if you have decided to install it on your property, ensure you get a warranty and understand its terms.
This guarantees that you can qualify for compensation in the event of premature failure. Also, if you decide to use Allura siding, make sure that it’s installed correctly and leaks are avoided.
Hiring an expert contractor is highly recommended. As for moisture problems, always ensure the siding is painted and well-sealed. As for energy efficiency, add as much insulation as needed.
However, if you find these problems to be too inconvenient, you can always explore other options. Allura isn’t the only brand that makes fiber cement siding. You can also get them from GAF Weatherside, James Hardie, and Nichiha.