QA

Question: How To Install Hardieplank Siding

Can I install Hardie siding myself?

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.

Do you nail or screw Hardie board?

What is the correct fastener pattern for installing HardieBacker® cement board? Fasten HardieBacker sheets with proper nails or screws (as listed in ”Materials Required” in the backer installation instructions) every 8” around the perimeter and all supporting studs.

How do you fasten Hardie board?

Fasten the siding – You can fasten it with a pneumatic nailer or nailing by hand. You can use corrosion-resistant screws, or you can use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails. You can nail the siding by either blind nailing it at the top or face nailing it at the bottom.

Do you need plywood behind Hardie board?

Fiber cement siding should be installed over plywood, OSB, or sheathing. Building codes will usually require installing siding over water-resistant barriers and nailed into the studs every 16 or 24 inches.

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.

Can you nail through Hardie board?

You can shoot Hardie siding on with air powered nailers or use hand driven roofing nails to attach siding to the home or structure. The nails can be ringed- shanked or smooth just make sure you are hitting the studs in the wall. Nails drive in too high won’t hold as won’t nails that are over driven.

Do you need Thinset under Hardie board?

However, many manufacturers including, both Durock and Hardiebacker not only recommend that you use thinset under their backerboard, but they specify it and will void the warranty on their product if it’s not used. Thinset is going to create a solid surface under tile and prevent flexing that could lead to cracking.

Do you caulk Hardie board siding?

James Hardie DOES NOT recommend using caulk or “H”-jointers for the butt joints of HardiePlank® siding with ColorPlus® technology. James Hardie also DOES NOT recommend applying caulk to the horizontal overlap between siding planks (see Figure 2).

How do you attach Hardie planks?

James Hardie products can be hand nailed or fastened with a pneumatic tool. Pneumatic fastening is highly recommended. Set air pressure so that the fastener is driven snug with the surface of the siding. A flush mount attachment on the pneumatic tool is recommended.

Do you need a special blade to cut Hardie board?

Cement Board-Cutting Tools For some types of Hardie board, you’ll need a power tool with a cement board blade with a carbide tip to cut the board. Carbide-tipped blades are made specifically for this kind of work. Mark your line; align the board against the guard as needed and slowly but firmly make the cut.

What screws do you use with Hardie board?

James Hardie recommends 1-1/4” long galvanized or STAINLESS steel roofing nails or 1-1/4” long ribbed waferhead screws in compliance with the tile industry. It is 8-18 x 3/8” HD.

Does Hardie siding need to be nailed to studs?

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: HardiePlank® lap siding can be installed over braced wood or steel studs spaced a maximum of 24″ o.c. or directly to minimum 7/16″ thick OSB sheathing. See General Fastening Requirements. Irregularities in framing and sheathing can mirror through the finished application.

What do you put behind Hardie board?

Joint flashing: James Hardie recommends that a slip sheet (joint flashing) is installed behind each butt joint in the siding. This is a 6” wide piece of weather resistive material to make sure that no water gets through.

Do you need insulation under Hardie siding?

Hardie Plank is a cement board; it’s composition is sand and water. It is heavy on the wall and provides no insulation value. Formed to resemble wood, it fails to provide a deep, rich grain and does not come close to the look of wood. It is highly susceptible to mold and mildew.

Is it OK to drill into Hardie board?

It can be cut and drilled just like wood. However, drilling through cement-fiber siding goes better if you use a carbide drill bit, as opposed to a regular steel drill bit. Just remember that drilling before it is installed requires extra care to avoid breaking the strip.

What length nails do you use for Hardie siding?

James Hardie recommends using stainless steel finish nails when installing HardieTrim products. Use a 2 in. finish nail to fasten trim together. Longer finish nails may bend.

Do you have to tape seams on Hardibacker?

For tile backer boards such as Durock, Wonderboard, Hardiebacker, Permabase, and others the seams between the board need to be treated with 2-inch alkali-resistant mesh tape.

How much thinset do you put under Hardibacker?

Embed 2 in wide high-strength alkali-resistant glass fiber tape in the mortar and level. We recommend 1/4 in HardieBacker® board for floor applications, unless 1/2 in thickness is needed for transition. On existing structures: Ensure subfloor is not damaged.