Reviewed by Mario Garcia, General Manager at Windows Hawaii
What Is Celect Siding?
Celect is a cellular composite siding made by Westlake Royal Building Products. It’s a solid, synthetic board designed to look like freshly painted wood, without the rot, swelling and repainting that come with real wood in Hawaii.
What sets Celect apart is the way the boards connect. Instead of butting against each other with a caulked seam, each board has an interlocking joint machined into the ends, so a whole run of siding locks together and the seams are nearly invisible. The finish is a factory-applied coating that resists fading, chipping, cracking and flaking.
Why Celect Works for Island Homes
- No rot. Cellular composite doesn’t absorb moisture like wood or some engineered products, which matters with Hawaii’s humidity and wind-driven rain.
- No repainting schedule. The color is factory finished, so you’re not scraping and repainting every few years in strong sun.
- Clean, wood-like look. It suits plantation-style, craftsman and modern homes alike.
- Fewer visible seams. The interlocking joints give long walls a smooth, continuous look.
Celect vs. Other Siding Options
| Siding | Look | Maintenance | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celect cellular composite | Smooth painted wood | Very low, factory finish | Interlocking joints, nearly seamless |
| James Hardie fiber cement | Painted wood, many textures | Repaint every so often | Very durable, heavier to install |
| CraneBoard insulated siding | Wide lap and board and batten | Low | Foam-backed for insulation and stiffness |
| Wood | Natural | High | Rot and termites are a constant concern in Hawaii |
How Celect Is Installed
Cellular composite expands and contracts with temperature, and Celect is engineered so each run moves together as one piece. Trim at corners, windows and doors covers that movement. Proper installation is what makes it look right and last, so it’s worth working with a crew that knows the product.
For a side-by-side look at siding prices, see our James Hardie and fiber cement siding cost guide.
Celect Siding FAQs
Does Celect siding need to be painted?
No. It comes factory finished in a range of colors. It can be painted later if you want a different color, but it doesn’t need it.
Is Celect termite proof?
Celect is a synthetic material with no wood fiber, so termites have nothing to eat. That’s a big reason Hawaii homeowners choose it over wood.
How much does Celect siding cost?
It’s a premium product, so it costs more than basic vinyl. The final price depends on the size of your home, the profile and how much trim work is involved. Check our current specials, which sometimes include Celect, and get an exact price with a free estimate.
Can you replace windows and siding at the same time?
Yes, and it’s a smart time to do it. New windows and new siding can be flashed and sealed together. See our Ali’i Extreme windows.
Curious how Celect would look on your home? Call 808-671-0808 or request a free estimate. See all siding options.