Replies

1. 
   Aaln_Jackson | Mar 03, 2000 11:46pm | #1

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   I'm a siding contractor and I have one builder who likes us to use roofing nails to blind nail the Hardiplank. They work just fine. My only concern would be if the shaft of the roofing nail that your gun uses is long enough to securely anchor the siding into the stud. An 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" nail shaft should be enough.
   Additionally, while the company doesn't suggest it, when blind nailing, we face nail the corners of larger boards. When chalking the joints, it makes for a tighter look and reduces a problem we've had with the boards tapping in high winds. However, you may want to use a smaller headed nail when face nailing.

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 03:36am | #2

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   We use a Senco coil nailer with 1 1/4inch nails when blind nailing. Hardie plank on 2 foot centers needs an occasional face nail. also if at all possible try to rent a snapper to cut so you can stay away from that dust. We caulk as we install and then caulk again when painting however many just caulk when they are done. good luck

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 07:23pm | #3

   *Ray,Myself and some other volunteers spent Saturday installing 8 1/4 in Hardi Plank on one of our new houses. The stuff is very easy to work with. Naturally we weren't able to use the air nailers as we have safety concerns, but the stuff went up quickly. We learned to pre drill the corners as they tended to break off if just nailed. We used 6d galvanised nails, diamond blade, and snapped lines for each course. I'd recomend that one team set the first course around the whole house before any others are done. We found that one wall was started lower than the others, opps.Peace,Martin

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   Guest_ | Mar 06, 2000 08:53pm | #4

   *I bought two siding nailers for a job that we did and talked about here last Fall...I'm pretty sure a roofing gun would do a great job now that I have some experience...Definitely need to use small head nail when face nailing...and you will know where to face nail as it will look like it needs it...Caulking and nailing butt joints seemed to be necessary for me too if you want the best appearance, like around front doors and other highly visible areas...Remember moisture that gets behind claps, needs to be able to get out, so it's good if the siding doesnt' fit perfectly, when viewed straight up from below, especially where I live in Upstate NY.Josh...How many square do you all apply per day and per hour and what do you charge per square if yo don't mind me asking...We had trouble on a really cut up house getting to two square per person per day...near the stream,ajAnother note...I loved using a chop box to cut 5 boards at a time and hated the snapper tool...I am sending back the one I have in fact...WE learned how to deal with teh dust no problem.

3. 
   LUCKY_LARRY | Mar 13, 2000 08:39pm | #5

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   I used a Bostitch siding nailer with ring shank nails and it worked fine.The snapper tool really didn't work that great. I used a slide saw with a diamond blade and also delt with the dust.

   Lucky Larry

4. 
   Guest_ | Mar 14, 2000 03:40am | #6

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   Martin,

   You've gotta snap lines all the way around the house before you start slappin' on the siding! Much less chance for the ol' oops!

   Yes, I know, everyone was impatient to see what it was going to look like...

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 15, 2000 04:40am | #7

   *Hi Ray, Hardies was first used here in the seventies and is still one of the most favoredsidings. We use a five inch angle grinder with Diamond blade to cut the stuff, hand nail, and leave a 6mm gap between end jjoints.This allows the sealant to form a square bead which is rrecommended practice. We use a polysolfide sealant called Sikaflex to set this gap and seal against the end beads. Building boats for years I never use Silicone or chalking on house exteriors they fail all the time.Brisbane Australia

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   Guest_ | Mar 17, 2000 04:13am | #8

   *We use a Bostich coil framing nailer and blind nail only. We also apply one coat of paint before we install the siding and a second once it's up. Does anyone else use felt splines under the butt joints?Dana

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   Guest_ | Mar 18, 2000 06:33am | #9

   *What are some of your's opinion on using a dab of construction adhesive or caulking in lieu of an occasional face nail?

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   Guest_ | Mar 18, 2000 06:41am | #11

   *the last one we did was 7.5" with 6" to weather, so we face nailed it with Bostich SS ring shank coil nails... we used an aluminum coil stock spline at our joints.....Mike

5. 
   Ray_Murphy | Mar 18, 2000 06:41am | #10

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   I'm getting ready to side my home with Hardie-Plank and plan to blind nail it. I've heard others talk about using coil nailers to nail this. I have a Porter Cable coil roofing nailer an am wondering if anyone has ever used a roofing nailer to blind nail siding? Any replies will be appreciated.