Fiber Cement siding is the true weather and rot resistant indistinguishable alternative for true wood siding.  James Hardie pre-finished fiber cement panels have a baked on enamel that outlasts any field applied hand  brushed paint by years on end.  Fiber cement board panels are fabricated to have the identical appearance of wood siding without rot, splitting, carpenter bee penetrations and wood pecker holes.  Fiber cement comes in many styles and pre-finished enamels and can also be field painted for specific, custom applications.