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Tina,
I am a former manufacturer’s rep for one of the fiber cement manufacturers. (Hardi is a brand of fiber cement)
The 4 x 8 panels are very heavy, are not ship lapped meaning that you have to butt them square against each other. This means either you have to caulk or use some type of flashing. They are fairly difficult to work with and cut. You can’t use the same saw blades to cut them that you use on wood.
I would suggest, if you are looking for a T-1-11 style, 8″OC or 4″OC look and the ease of installing a panel with more coverage than lap, look at a product by Louisiana-Pacific called SmartPanel and SmartPanel II. These are the only engineered and treated siding systems available. They also have lap and soffit, fascia and trim. A complete siding system that is treated from face to face(all the way through) against rot and insects. Nothing like it out there and it has all of the benefits of fiber cement without the hassles. It is even ship lapped with an alignment bead to make it easy to install. I think that you will be impressed with the entire SmartSystem from L-P.
Good Luck,
Phil
[email protected]
Replies
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My experience is that you've definately gotta be
hardy to move them around. scaffolding is a must if your going to go above ground level. I did several thousand square feet to create a tudor style effect. looks great, will probably use clapboard next time. price was reasonable, can be purchased pre-primed. I cut them with a diamond blade on a circular saw.
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Most discussions here seem to be about installing the Hardiplank clapboards. What's the scoop on the 4x8 vertical panels? It would appear they'd go up easier, faster (thus less labor cost) than the planks. True? Any tips on the joints between panels -- Tamlyn stuff?
*I bought a sheet a few years ago to take some rips out of. I don't remember the cost but it was heavy as hell. And the edges were brittle - you know, the way you roll a sheet of anything heavy. I think they would be quite a bit more expensive than say 5/8" T-111 labor wise. That is probably why they haven't caught on like the lap siding you see everywhere now. - jb
*Tina,Don't know what the product is you're thinking of..but we have quite a range of Hardies stuff here..for Exterior we have a product called Hardieflex ( 6mm thick) It can be jointed with a type of "H" style plastic moulding..however you very rarely see it externally...it'd look pretty foul.In addition as with any flat sheet like that it will show up all the wall imperfections..but then if you're on aremote ranch that may not be a consideration...stick with the planks.mark
*Looking at my brochure...it's called HardiPanel vertical siding, comes with either vertical grooves (like board siding) or stucco finish. 5/16 inch thick(same as planks), same weight/sf as planks (2.3 lbs/sf) but comes in 4x8, 4x9 and 4x10 sheets. Also same cost/sf. Can see how those sheets would be heavy and how edges might cause problems. Just thought, after reading about some of the heartburn some people have had with the clapboarding, that maybe the planks would be easier overall. Whatever we use, contractor will use shears to cut.
*Well one thing I'd add, is that you're basically talkin' about a T-111 replacement. And plenty of folks (not me) think T-111 is a symbol of cheap construction. So what you'd be doing is, replacing a "cheap" siding with one that has the same visual problems and is harder to work with. - jb
*Tina I find a diamond blade in a 4 inch grinder quicker than shears.
*I saw it used under a house (raised basement) here on Seabrook island. They trimmed it out With 1/4 vinyl lattice. It didnt look bad. I think 1/4 AC would have been just as good in this area. I know some people using it for soffit.- Rick Tuk
*Tina, I am a former manufacturer's rep for one of the fiber cement manufacturers. (Hardi is a brand of fiber cement)The 4 x 8 panels are very heavy, are not ship lapped meaning that you have to butt them square against each other. This means either you have to caulk or use some type of flashing. They are fairly difficult to work with and cut. You can't use the same saw blades to cut them that you use on wood. I would suggest, if you are looking for a T-1-11 style, 8"OC or 4"OC look and the ease of installing a panel with more coverage than lap, look at a product by Louisiana-Pacific called SmartPanel and SmartPanel II. These are the only engineered and treated siding systems available. They also have lap and soffit, fascia and trim. A complete siding system that is treated from face to face(all the way through) against rot and insects. Nothing like it out there and it has all of the benefits of fiber cement without the hassles. It is even ship lapped with an alignment bead to make it easy to install. I think that you will be impressed with the entire SmartSystem from L-P.Good Luck,[email protected]
*Phil,From Content Policy:>PROHIBITED MATERIALS AND ACTIVITIES: You agree not to use any obscene, indecent, or offensive language or to place on the Site any material that is libelous, abusive, or hateful, constitutes junk mail ori unauthorized advertising, invades anyone's privacy, or encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law or regulation. You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes.Emphasis added.For the full content policy:http://205.181.179.43:8090/WebX?13@@.ee70418Rich Beckman
*Yeah, I think Rich is referrin' to the illegal activities sentence, 'cause it ought to be illegal to recommend LP products to anybody. - jb
*LOLRich Beckman
*Phil -I am sure that the SmartPanel is a superior product to the rather disasterous panels that LP put on the market a few years ago. However, I assume that it is lacking in the feature that I am most looking for in a siding product and why I am currently leaning toward cement panel siding panels - that of fire resistance. I read over the LP web site for their SmartSystem products and found no mention of fire resistance. Most engineered wood products use a resin that is flammable and, although it may not be as easily started as regular wood, provides more fuel load and burns hotter than regular wood. Being in an area that is periodically swept through by brush fires, I am looking for all the protection I can get - and I feel that SmartPanel isn't it.