Hardie plank siding is an attractive and long-term way to protect your home from rain, snow, and humidity while adding value. This type of siding also looks similar to real wood.
If you want to install new siding, some tools will be necessary. These include a circular saw, level, fiber cement shears and someone to help lift boards up from ladder.
Removing Existing Siding
Step one of replacing existing siding is removing old vinyl or wood planks, which may take time if all walls need to be taken down. However, the results will certainly make up for it: durable cladding withstands adverse weather conditions to provide your home with long-term protection from harsh elements.
As part of your project, it is also essential that you select a day without rain or wind. Lightweight planks may become hard to manage during strong gusts of wind and could end up blowing all over the yard or street if not managed carefully.
Before beginning work, it’s advisable to take measurements and mark the area in which you will install new boards. This will ensure an exact fit when replacing boards; once marked, pre-cutting of materials can start. Caulking around windows, doors and trim is also highly recommended; James Hardie recommends selecting sealants with permanent flexibility (look for this phrase on their label or guide) as this ensures safety during installation and caulking is even more recommended if using pneumatic nailers – make sure the manufacturer provides adequate guidance so safe operation!
Cutting the Hardie Boards
Once the old siding is off, you can measure and mark the area to be covered with hardie plank siding to ensure a perfect fit and aesthetic appeal. A tape measure, pencil, ruler will help accurately mark walls; additionally you will need caulking for edge caulking purposes.
Caulking is an effective practice to seal off trim and prevent moisture seepage into walls, according to James Hardie. For optimal results, James recommends choosing a caulk that maintains permanent flexibility for maximum effect.
As soon as your Hardie Boards have been installed, the next step should be cutting them. A circular saw or handsaw are both ideal for this step; either way, safety glasses and gloves must always be worn during any cutting operation, along with a dust mask to avoid breathing in fiber cement dust particles. Once cut, an ideal cutting tool for scoring and snapping boards may then be utilized.
Installing the Hardie Boards
No matter if you are doing the installation yourself or working with professionals, using the appropriate tools and following manufacturer instructions are two key components to a smooth installation experience. In addition, material sizing must fit your house and board placement should also be addressed correctly.
As it’s highly advised to enlist the assistance of a certified James Hardie professional when installing new siding, failing to abide by manufacturer specifications could void your warranty and compromise its integrity.
Before installing Hardie Boards, prepare the work area by clearing away existing exterior trim and caulking. Next, lay plywood or OSB sheathing over the studs and framing with weather-resistant barriers like house wrap. Nail the sheathing to its supports using galvanized or stainless steel nails; when using circular saws ensure you wear protective equipment so as to not breathe in dust particles.
Finishing the Installation
Hardie Plank siding tends to be more costly than vinyl, but can add significant value to your home. Like any home improvement project, however, certain steps must be taken in order to ensure its installation correctly.
As part of any successful siding installation project, it’s vital that the correct tools are always utilized. Furthermore, protective gloves, eye protection and dust mask should always be worn while working on siding projects. Furthermore, having a workbench to make cutting your siding easier and saving both time and effort with pneumatic siding nailers may prove invaluable.
Once your existing siding is removed and all preparation work complete, it is time to install your James Hardie sheathing. Plywood or OSB boards should be used, with house wrap and moisture barrier applied over it to further protect it. Flashing should also be installed at this point if required. For any windows or doors being added after this point, be sure that they leave 1/8″ clearance from the sheathing, with caulking used around their frames if applicable.