Replies

1. 
   Bill_Popow | Sep 07, 1999 09:39am | #7

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   Avoid the dust. Our lumber yard has electric shears made to cut the stuff. B.P.

1. 
   Eric_M._Borgman | Sep 08, 1999 05:40pm | #8

   *I installed Hardiplank on my house three years ago. I got it pre-primed and painted. It was hand nailed over foil-faced foam (1/2") with galv. roofing nails. No problems with blow-out or chipped-off corners. Stay min. 1/4" away from edges and you'll be ok. Thin-curf carbide circular saw blades work well although they wear out quickly. I think I used 4 for the entire job. By all means check out all the accessories now available such as premade corner boards, trim, soffit vents etc. I think the company name is Tamlyn (sp?). They advertise a lot in FHB. I wish this stuff was available when I did my house. This is a beautiful product and well worth all the B.S. I had to go through to get it. Hardie and their dealers are just not that committed to the residential market yet. Hey J.B., you listening? Good luck with your installation.

2. 
   Guest_ | Sep 08, 1999 05:40pm | #9

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   I am getting ready to install fiber cement siding this weekend and would appreciate any and all installation tips. Can finish nails be used and countersunk. Is blow-out a problem on the back side (stuff seems somewhat brittle). Should nails be place on or above overlap. As you can see I'm pretty clueless, so passing on even what appears to be the most obvious of suggestions would be appreciated.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 02, 1999 08:29pm | #1

   *Go to http://www.jameshardie.com and you can learn all about installation. Its an easy process, nailing is the least of your worries if you have a gun, make sure you have the right blade and do the necessary painting before you start installing. Blind nailing is permitted.>good luck.

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 02, 1999 08:33pm | #2

   *srhahn,Relax, the stuff comes with installation specs telling you exactly what kind of nails to use, where you can put them, how to cut it etc. And if you dont want to void the warranty, you'll need to follow them. There's been a ton of discussion about it over the last year or so do some searches in the archives. Let us know how it turns out. Always interesting to hear what people think after useing a new material or technique for the first time.JonC

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 03, 1999 01:12am | #3

   *The other day at our lumber yard I noticed they have 7+1/4" blades specifically for cutting that stuff now. I don't know how much of the dust I would want to breath though. - jb

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 04, 1999 07:47am | #4

   *Dust to breathe -- none.One thing I've heard is to prime the cut edges, they're vulnerable to water. Overdriven nails should be caulked in, same reason.I plan to use the stuff on my house soon, too. the test strips i tacked up a few months ago were easy to do and took paint really, really well.

2. 
   Rusty_ | Sep 06, 1999 06:54pm | #5

   *I agree with JonC. If you don't apply by Manufactures Sepc. the warranty is void. The way I install it is I use 8d ring shank Galv. gun nails. DO NOT COUNTER SINK. And blind nail. I also left a 1/8 gap where the siding meetand at windows,doors, this allows for expansion. Good luck

3. 
   Guest_ | Sep 06, 1999 09:01pm | #6

   *We have just installed twenty some squares of plank with many many more to go...ss nails air nailed, drill any hand nails with masonry bit, cut with dry cut diamond blades, sand cut edges quick, use tools you expect to destroy with the concrete dust, shears are supposed to be the way to go,....Gaps only by trim and 1/16" is what we aim for give or take a 1/16" The gap seems to be so that the siding doesn't crack if it were to be jammed by movements in the home structure due to anything and not really to do with expansion. We run a fan near a cheap chop box to do most of our cuts and do rips on an old table saw...I think the tablesaw will be destroyed by the end of the project.The siding does paint well, we are not prepriming end cuts as we would be at it for another month longer than the month it's already gonna take too long and I do not expect any long term problems at all...Oh and the dust burns when you have it on your skin all day and in your socks...Oh does it feel good to shower after a ten hour day...I'm sure I'll have more thoughts by the time we finally finish this project...Near the stream,aj