Fibre cement gives you the look of real wood lap siding with none of the rot, splitting, or constant repainting. Products like James Hardie HardiePlank are specifically engineered for cold climates — they don’t swell, warp, or crack through Manitoba’s freeze-thaw cycles the way natural wood does. Modern Renovations installs fibre cement siding across Winnipeg and southern Manitoba for homeowners who want a premium exterior that holds its paint for 15+ years and lasts three to five decades with almost no upkeep.
Manitoba’s climate is tough on exterior materials. You’re looking at temperatures that swing 75 degrees between winter lows and summer highs, heavy UV exposure on south-facing walls, wind-driven rain in the fall, and ice buildup along your roofline. Wood can’t handle that without constant attention. Vinyl handles it but looks like vinyl.
Fibre cement sits in a different category. It’s made from a mix of Portland cement, sand, and cellulose fibres — a combination that’s dimensionally stable, meaning it doesn’t expand and contract the way wood or vinyl does. It’s non-combustible, resistant to woodpeckers and insects, and holds factory-applied or field-applied paint significantly longer than any wood product. When we install it properly with correct flashing and clearances, it’s one of the longest-lasting exterior options available.
Fibre cement is heavier than vinyl and requires more precision during installation. It needs to be cut with specialty tools, fastened with corrosion-resistant nails at specific intervals, and installed with proper gap spacing to allow for moisture movement. This isn’t a material you want an inexperienced crew handling.
We start by assessing your existing exterior — checking the condition of your sheathing, house wrap, and flashing. Fibre cement is only as good as what’s behind it, so we make sure the wall system is right before any panels go up. We handle full tear-off of old siding, repair any damage underneath, and install the new fibre cement with all manufacturer-specified details — including back-priming if required, proper joint caulking, and integration with your soffit, fascia, and trim.
The finished product looks like freshly painted wood siding, except it’ll still look that way a decade from now without you touching it.
Vinyl siding is a solid, affordable option and we install a lot of it. But fibre cement makes sense when you want a more substantial look and feel on your home, your current wood siding keeps failing and you want something that won’t, you’re investing in a long-term home and want the exterior to match, or your neighbourhood has homes with higher-end finishes and you want to keep up.
Fibre cement costs more per square foot than vinyl — both in material and labour — but you get a 30 to 50 year product that adds measurable resale value. On homes in neighbourhoods like River Heights, Tuxedo, and Charleswood, it’s often the right call.
Fibre cement installation requires crews who know the product. As a Gentek Premium Renovator, our team is factory-trained on proper installation methods for the exterior products we carry. Owner Josh Vokey oversees every fibre cement project personally because the details matter more with this material than any other siding type.
Every fibre cement installation is backed by our 5-year workmanship warranty. We keep your property clean, communicate clearly throughout the project, and stand behind everything we install.
30 to 50 years with proper installation and minimal maintenance. James Hardie offers a 30-year non-prorated product warranty on HardiePlank, which is one of the strongest manufacturer warranties in the siding industry.
Eventually, but not for a long time. Factory-applied finishes like James Hardie’s ColorPlus Technology typically hold their colour for 15 to 20 years before needing a refresh. Compare that to wood siding, which usually needs repainting every 5 to 7 years in Manitoba’s climate.
If you plan to stay in your home long-term, yes. Fibre cement lasts longer, holds its appearance better, and adds more to your home’s resale value than vinyl. If you’re selling in 5 years and want the most affordable refresh, vinyl might be the smarter play. We’ll give you honest advice based on your situation.
Yes, with precautions. The material itself handles cold fine, but caulking and paint application need temperatures above freezing to cure properly. We schedule fibre cement work accordingly and won’t cut corners on sealing just to get the job done faster.
If you’re considering fibre cement for your home, we’ll walk you through the options, show you colour and profile samples, and give you an honest quote. Modern Renovations serves Winnipeg, East St. Paul, West St. Paul, Headingley, and communities throughout southern Manitoba.