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What is the best way to cut cement board siding?
Steps: When cutting fiber-cement siding with circular saw, use a blade that has only four or six teeth. To keep dust to a minimum, use a circular saw that’s equipped with either a dust-collection bag or electric fan that blows dust into a bucket. For a slow, but virtually dustless way to cut siding, use power shears.
What do you cut fiber-cement board with?
For cutting fiber-cement siding, it’s best to use a 4- to 6-tooth polycrystalline diamond-tipped (PCD) blade made specifically for fiber-cement. Regular carbide blades will cut fiber cement, but they dull relatively quickly, and if you attempt a gang cut, the blades overheat and can warp.
What kind of blade do you need to cut cement board?
Fit your circular saw with a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade (view example on Amazon), choosing one with as few teeth as possible in order to minimize the amount of dust given off as you saw. Operate your circular saw as you typically would, pushing it slowly and evenly through your cement backer board.
Can you cut Hardie board with a regular saw blade?
You can use a jigsaw, table saw or circular saw, or another tool, as long as it’s equipped with the right kind of blade. Once prepared, cut the Hardie board as you would any other material. Mark your line; align the board against the guard as needed and slowly but firmly make the cut.
How do you cut a hole in fiber cement siding?
Cement fiber siding (CFS) can be drilled, nailed and cut much like wood. Since it is more abrasive than wood, carbide or diamond blades are best for cutting. Holes are easy to make with an electric drill and a carbide tip drill bit. As with any project, good eye protection is recommended.
How do you drill into fiber cement siding?
How to Drill Holes Through Cement Fiber Siding Mark the siding where you want to drill the hole. Place the siding on two 2-by-4s, so that the mark is between the boards, for support, when the siding has not been installed. Otherwise, the board siding may snap during drilling. Place the carbide drill bit in the drill.
Can you cut cement board with a utility knife?
A carbide-tipped scoring knife is recommended, but you can also use a utility knife or shears. Never use a high-speed grinder to cut cement board indoors, since this can create a dust hazard.
Can you use a circular saw to cut cement board?
Cement backer board can be cut with a carbide-tipped scoring tool, just score and snap the sheet, similar to cutting drywall. For straight cuts, use a circular saw fitted with a carbide-tipped woodcutting blade, but here’s a little secret: use a blade with the fewest number of teeth you can find.
What is the easiest way to cut cement board?
The simplest way to cut cement backer board is to score the surface and snap the sheet along the scored line, similar to the way you’d cut drywall. In fact, you can use a drywall utility knife to score backer board, but a better option is a carbide-tipped scoring tool.
Do I need a special blade to cut cement board?
Use a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade to minimize dust. Cement is a very hard material, so you’ll need to use a blade that can handle the material. Carbide-tipped wood-cutting blades have fewer teeth than other circular saw blades and the carbide can withstand the strain of the cement.
Can I use drywall screws on cement board?
You don’t want to use regular drywall screws for cement boards. They can corrode, they can break down the edges of the boards, and they won’t drive in flush properly. Use ITW’s ROCK-ON and BACKER-ON screws instead.
Can you screw into fiber cement siding?
Fiber cement siding can be nailed by hand or with a pneumatic nailer. It can also be attached using corrosion resistant screws. Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails. Nails should penetrate through the sheathing and at least 1” into studs.
What kind of screws do you use for Hardie board?
In compliance with the tile industry, James Hardie recommends 1-1/4” long galvanized or stainless steel roofing nails (0.121” shank x 3/8” HD) or 1-1/4” long corrosion resistant ribbed waferhead screws (No. 8-18 x 3/8” HD). Why can’t I get screws to sit flush with the HardieBacker® cement board?.
Do you need to pre drill Hardie board?
Fiberboard cement siding can be hand-nailed, but because it’s so much harder and more brittle than wood, you have to predrill holes near any edge. You can save yourself a bunch of time by using a pneumatic coil siding nail gun.
Can you screw into Hardie board siding?
HardiePlank® lap siding may be used with fasteners approved by ICC-ES ESR-2290 spaced in accordance with the Wind Load Tables. Fasteners must be corrosion resistant, galvanized or stainless steel. Fasteners shall be installed between 1 in. and 3/4 in.
