… I can’t seem to find any in the Boston area. I like the sounds of the product and even called James Hardie to find out who installs their stuff around here, but the contractors they gave me say they don’t have much experience with the stuff.
I’m wondering 1) if it is still too early to invest in this stuff given there doesn’t seem to be much of a track record out there yet (at least in my area). 2) What are the best brands? I called James Hardie after seeing an ad in this pub. And 3) how do I find a quality installer in my area?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Replies
Hardi's got my vote. As far as installer's, don't bother going through Hardi's 800 number. Instead, ask your local suppliers who the Hardi factory rep is in the area. This is the person who is the trenches in a particular geographical area servicing & selling the product. You might be able to track the person down through Hardi but it'll most likely be easier from a supplier.
Al
If you go to the James Hardie web site you will find the preferred remodeler program. In it you will find a section to enter your zip code or state and this will produce a list of Hardie preferred remodelers in your area. Certainteed has a almost identical product only the grain patterns are more realistic and mimic wood much better. They also have more options on factory finishes. One thing hardie has that Certainteed doesn't (currently) is and individual shingle. They come in 6,8 and 12" widths and are installed just like wood shingles. They come unfinished so you will have to prime and paint relativly quickly.
Certainteed has a similar program to find installers. Actually it is better and much more informative. It lists people in your area who are qualified to install there products. The names, addresses and phone numbers are listed right there on the web page. Some companies even have email and web site links on the site. You just click and away you go. The addresses are http://www.certainteed.com & http://www.jameshardie.com . Go to the locate a contractor icon and follow the instructions. Best wishes!
Excellent. Thanks much for your reply and the other one before it. Both helpful info.
Recognizing that it would be a ball park figure, what do you think it would cost to strip a 2500 sq. foot colonial box of its old clapboard and redo with fiber cement?
Your welcome. Out here in CA it runs 625/sq. So it would be about $15625.00. I would say that in your area it would run about 475/sq to 525/sq. $11875.00 & $13125.00 respectivly. Thats all in. Tear off, weather proofing, materials and labor on the siding. As well as the necessary caulking. If you have any more questions give a holler!
You mentioned the shingles...I've used the Hardie shingles and they're nice but a little spendy. On a recent small job, there was the need for a couple rows of shingles as an accent and the customer was getting a little thin in the wallet.
Just for the hell of it, I experimented with using the scrap pieces of siding, cutting it into "shingles," priming the cut edges and installing as I would shingles and they look totally fine.
I was only doing 2 courses so on a larger field, the widths might have to be messed with. I may play around with some decorative shapes too. Better than hauling the stuff to a landfill.Off with their heads!!!
jd
weve been using James Hardie fibre cement boards here in australia for years.
I have been building for 23 years & never had any problems with it.
My dad has built since 1948 & the only problem he had was it used to be made from asbestos & wasnt at all healthy.
The only thing is ensure you use some form of weatherpaper under it as it holds moisture until it has been painted.
Diamond wheel on the grinder works well to cut it or Makita has bought out a new saw made for cutting the stuff.
Also watch nailing too close to the edges as it splits easy.
If you install it on your own make up a couple of s shaped clips which hang of the lower board & support the top board till its nailed.
The australian James Hardie web site may also come in handy with other instalation tips.
regards
Rob
I have put up alot of this siding and one of the neat tricks to it is clips that hang on the top of the piece and then the next piece rests on the bottom edge of the clip. If you level the first piece accurately the rest will go up without a hitch and with the same reveal.
ANDYSZ2
So, how 'bout a hip trip to where we can get those clips?
Allright. Here it is. http://www.thelaborsaver.com The product is pretty sweet.
The site I found was http://www.simplicitytool.com/siding they have all kinds of accessories for concrete siding.
ANDYSZ2
Hey siding guy ,
How do those clips work the clips I use are alot smaller and only leave a small bottom lip exposed.
ANDYSZ2
those clips that they have at the place you recommended are what I was talking about they work brilliantly.
years ago james hardie used to give them out as a promotional thing.
It's a great product. I think Al's advise on finding an installer is probably the way to go. We've found our rep's to be very helpful. I think part of that is that they all have a good reason to "believe" in their product.
We us a shears to cut ours. no dust. You may still need a saw for, but not many.
Steve
the labor saver came up, seems like the ticket... the other site didn't work...
thanks for some real info.
Shears are the way to go, and James Hardie siding has been heavily tested, more than 25 years that I know of, I'm not sure of any others, at this time, that have any track record, no matter how much less they cost...ChemPlank breaks out badly at the ends, I charge extra for puttin' that stuff up...
You also get a better homeowners policy with cemeticious siding, no matter what the brand...for painted, I think it's the cat's rear end...
Edited 9/6/2002 7:40:05 PM ET by bucksnort billy
I checked that web site and you have to shorten it to http://www.simplicitytool.com
ANDYSZ2
Thanks, that was worth clicking...
our lumber yard carries the clips and what a difference they make in the job. our last client did not like the look of them but we persuaded him to wait til the siding was complete and painted. now he is a happy camper. happy siding.