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Hardie Siding Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Is Hardiplank wood?
- A: No. Although Hardiplank contains wood fibers, the main ingredient is cement and silica. Hardie siding is sometimes referred to as Fiber Cement Siding.
- Q: Is Hardiplank dangerous to my health?
- A: While cutting Hardiplank or any other material, always wear safety goggles and a proper dust mask. Breathing silica dust is dangerous to your health. Don't dry sweep hardie siding dust - use a vacumn with proper HEPA filter. Using power snips is preferred over saws whenever possible to eliminate dust.
- Q: How is Hardiplank attached to my house?
- A: Hardiplank is nailed directly to the studs with a moisture barrier underneath. The many styles of hardie plank have slightly differing attachment techniques specified by the manufacturer, James Hardie Company. HardiPlank is often blind nailed which means the nails are actually hidden by the overlapping Hardie lap siding plank. HardiTrim / Hardie Trim boards are used as corner framing for your home. Caulking, priming and painting is all done according to James Hardie specifications.
- Q:Can all of the wood on my house be replaced with Hardiplank?
- A: Basically, yes. Hardiplank can be used for walls, trim boards, over hangs and eaves - anything except studs or door frames. Specific Hardie products are used for their intended use. Hardie Trim is used for triming out doors and windows as well as finishing the corners of your home. Hardie Soffit is ventilated and installed to assist your attic venting system. Hardie Fascia is installed at the edges of your roof line. There are several different designs of the siding itself. You may have lap siding, stucco textured siding, scalloped "fishscale siding", for example. Hardie Siding is offered in all styles popular in this region.
- Q: Is it necessary to use screws to attach Hardiplank?
- A: No. Attaching Hardiplank with screws rather than nails adds significantly to the cost of a job and is a needless expense. All-Tex Exteriors always follows the James Hardie specifications for every application.
- Q: Is it advisable to use wood sheathing under the Hardiplank?
- A: No. Aside from the added expense - the wood sheathing may rot and cause needless problems. However, plywood or OSB should be used if substrate is insufficient to attach per specifications.
- Q: Is it advisable to use foam board under the Hardiplank?
- A: No. There is mounting evidence that foam board under any siding is a breeding ground for molds that can be extremely dangerous to your health.
- Q: Can I get a discount on my fire insurance by installing Hardiplank?
- A: Since Hardie Siding is non-combustible, some insurance companies offer a discount while others do not. We suggest that you contact your local agent and ask if installing James Hardie Siding on your home will reduce your insurance premium. In any event, since it does not burn, your home will be safer.
- Q: Is Hardiplank banned in California?
- A: No. Despite consistent rumors, Hardiplank is not banned in California or any other state.
- Q: What should be attached to the studs before Hardiplank is attached.
- A: We recommend a moisture barrier like Dupont® Tyvek® (or similar) that "breathes" and allows air to travel but keeps out moisture. Depending on the condition of the substrate and/or studs that exist, a plywood or OSB can be installed first, then the moisture barrier. Usually, plywood or OSB is required if the wall studs are more than 24" on center. A complete of inspection of the condition and replacing of any damaged or rotten studs should always be performed first. Not all hardie siding contractors are aware of nor do all siding installers follow James Hardie's exacting specifications. All-Tex has extensive training and experience and is a James Hardie Platinum level contractor.
- Q: Can you put Hardiplank over the wood that is already on my house?
- A: No. The old wood may continue to rot over time and cause serious problems. All-Tex recommends that you always fix the problem, not hide it. Vinyl siding just hides the problem. Your home will continue to decompose under the vinyl. That is why vinyl siding and aluminum siding often blows off in the wind. The problem with the subsurface it has been attached to continues to degrade and the nails are basically set in sponges at this point. installing vinyl siding is like the old saying "sweeping the problem under the rug". Always fix the problem, never hide it.
