Concrete Roofing and Siding
Because cement-based roofing and siding products are durable and won't catch fire, rot or be eaten by termites, they cap and clad more and more of today's homes. Stucco is essentially a type of concrete, made from a mixture of cement, lime, sand and water. Applied in three coats over a lath base, it provides a solid, durable and seamless siding.
Newer EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems) are popular alternatives to stucco; these acrylic-polymer and aggregate coatings are applied over several kinds of approved substrates, including cement-board panels made from aggregated portland cement, reinforced with glass fibers and given polymer coatings. Cost of EIFS tends to be competitive with brick where brick is common; less expensive for intricate walls or where brick siding isn't prevalent.
What appear to be stone and brick walls on houses may actually be a lightweight concrete manufactured-stone veneer. A mixture of portland cement, natural aggregates and iron oxide pigments is poured into molds made from real stones.
The result, available in a broad palette of colors and styles, looks incredibly realistic. Installed prices vary widely, depending upon the cost of labor; the national average is about $8 per square foot. Retail average per square foot for materials runs from about $2.25 to $4 per square foot.