Cement siding ?

Windpower · February 20, 2009, 09:32:56 PM

Anyone here ever used this material

some friends are having their house resided with this -- it looks durable

http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/

They had severe problems with wood peckers knocking holes in their cedar siding and making a mess

this stuff looks to be near bullet proof but I had never heard of it before

I think it looks interesting for the 'project'

afraid it may be expensive though

MountainDon · February 20, 2009, 10:24:14 PM

It does have it's good points. I'm certain woodpeckers won't go after it. It is also fire resistant or fire proof which is why I chose it for our cabin. It does require care in handling as it will snap if you are not careful. I found this tool, or a pair of them, handy for aligning the planks for installation. I used an air nailer. The stuff takes paint nicely; no stain, paint.

Special cutting tools are needed; there are special circular blades for skilsaws. Being careful not to inhale the dust is important healthwise.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.msg69775#msg69775

February 21, 2009, 08:56:44 AM

Thank you very much Don

your cabin is beautiful

I wondered if it was a problem with cracking it using a nailer

Guess I better look for a good one of those next

I have a paslode framer for the big stuff but looks like I now have and ~~excuse~~ reason to buy a new ~~toy~~ tool.

PEG688 · February 21, 2009, 09:44:28 AM

You should blind nail ( nail at the top of the piece of siding then cover the nails with the next course / piece) with galv. roofing nails. Under windows and such where you have to make a I_____I cut you can face nail it with a gavl. siding nail. If your not "good" at hand driving nails get a small carbide drill bit or a high speed steel bit ( it will ruin the bit if you use HSS) to pre-drill for your face nails.

It paints well and it is about the least $$ of any siding worth putting on.

LP make a siding that is about , maybe a little less than Hardi , but it's had some issues.

Hardi sell a variety of products check out there website for new styles available in your area. Or visits a good supplier of building products in your area.

Over view on Hardi is it's a good paint grade product.

Windpower · February 21, 2009, 09:58:44 AM

Thanks PEG

I have some Rodman bits that will go thru just about anything

thanks for the help

February 23, 2009, 08:19:43 AM

I used Hardi board on both my garage and house and it's now been up on the garage 5years. I love it and don't see anything about it
that I don't like. Like Peg said, you can hand nail it but, man you better be good. Highly recommend a nail gun and follow directions from Hardi and Peg.
I made a couple of hangers out of some strap 1/16" think strpping material. Sort of a 'J' with holes in the top of the J to nail to a chalk line I put on the 30# felt I used under the Hardi.
It's also a lot of work to caulk every butt joint but, worth it in my opinion.
Love the way it painted and still looking like new after 5 years.
I highly recommend it.Just don't see a down side to it other than maybe initial cost.
Okie Bob

Windpower · February 23, 2009, 08:56:17 AM

"Highly recommend a nail gun and follow directions from Hardi and Peg."

would that be a roofing nailer ?

can anyone recomend a brand/type ?

PEG688 · February 23, 2009, 09:04:26 AM

Senco,Paslode or Bostitch all make good guns. Check your local pawn shops first then maybe a rental place see what daily rental will run vs. buying new.

You should use a 1 3/4 to 2" nail for the upper (blind) nailing.

G/L PEG

MountainDon · February 23, 2009, 11:06:34 AM

That SoloSider tool is adjustable in 1/16 of an incg. That makes it easy to correct for any slight width variations in the siding. I did run into a small amount of variation.