Hardie board siding is an attractive choice for many homeowners due to its durability. To maintain its appearance and ensure maximum longevity, however, proper care and maintenance must be provided on an ongoing basis.
Power-washing your hardieplank siding every 6-12 months is the easiest way to keep it looking its best and prevent moisture penetration into walls. Furthermore, caulking around trim pieces, windows and doors is also recommended to seal leaky spaces and keep moisture at bay.
Removing the Old Siding
Re-siding your home can be an easy and affordable way to elevate its aesthetic appeal and increase curb appeal. From changing colors, textures or adding trim, re-siding can add visual interest and increase its curb appeal while making your home more welcoming for visitors.
Before beginning any project, it is crucial that a plan be drawn up. This will help ensure the process goes smoothly while helping minimize costly errors that might arise during its completion.
As part of your exterior wall restoration plan, it’s essential that any shrubs or bushes that could prevent crew access are cleared away, along with furniture, plant pots, toys or any other objects which might obstruct our access.
Once all obstructions have been cleared away, begin by inspecting your existing siding. It is important to remember that certain types of siding can be more challenging to remove than others – vinyl is known for chipping easily so a hammer or crowbar could come in handy to dislodge damaged pieces of vinyl siding.
Cutting the Hardie Siding Boards
To maximize the potential of James Hardie siding, it is vital that you know how to cut it properly. This can be accomplished using either a power tool equipped with a cement board blade or jigsaw and following manufacturer instructions to ensure clean cuts.
Once you have all of the required tools and materials, it is time to begin the cutting process. Start by measuring the area where you will make cuts; be sure to include any corners or windows which require specific measurements. Next, use a straightedge to mark cutting lines on the board – taking extra care when making measurements as any mistakes could lead to wasted material.
As part of the cutting process, it is imperative to wear protective gear such as safety glasses, dust mask, and gloves in order to reduce silica dust produced during cutting. Furthermore, working in an area with adequate ventilation would be wiser.
Attaching the Hardie Siding Boards
Caulking should also be used around trim, eaves and windows to keep water out of wall cavities and thus potentially leading to mold growth. Use high-quality caulk with a permanent flexible seal.
Installation of Hardie board siding comes next. Before beginning, ensure that sheathing has been covered with a moisture barrier (typically plastic sheeting) and all flashing is complete.
Installing siding high up on the walls of your home requires extra hands to help support its weight and spot any potential problems with installation or placement. When doing it alone, another person’s eyes could help spot issues which arise while installing.
As well, it is advised to use a ladder which is well anchored to the ground, and use eye protection while cutting siding panels in order to minimize exposure to dust, as prolonged exposure could potentially pose health concerns over time.
Finishing Up
Home exteriors face an uphill struggle against weather, pests and the wear and tear of daily life. While hiring professional contractors to do repairs may be best suited to this task, an astute homeowner may also take on this responsibility themselves.
As with any home improvement project, the first step of siding installation involves prepping the area. This involves covering walls with foam board or plywood before proceeding to step two of this task. Once this step has been accomplished you can move on.
James Hardie fiber cement products offer your house lasting curb appeal that will stand the test of time. For optimal results, paint with high-grade exterior-grade acrylic topcoats. Furthermore, for best results it’s recommended that your siding be professionally cleaned twice annually by using a garden hose equipped with low pressure spray and soft brush or non-metal cleaner.