Can Hardie board be nailed directly to studs?

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: HardiePlank® lap siding can be installed over braced wood or steel studs spaced a maximum of 24" o.c. or directly to minimum 7/16" thick OSB sheathing.

Does Hardie siding need to be nailed into studs?

Building codes will usually require installing siding over water-resistant barriers and nailed into the studs every 16 or 24 inches.

Can Hardie board be nailed?

For Hardie siding, it's recommended to use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails. You can either nail by hand or use a pneumatic nailer. However, it's best to use a pneumatic nailer for speed and consistency. At the bottom, the siding should be face nailed, and at the top, it should be blind nailed.

Should Hardie board be nailed or screwed?

James Hardie prefers and recommends installation of HardiePlank® lap siding by the blind nailing technique, such that fasteners are hidden by the course above. Fasteners shall be installed between 1 in. and 3/4 in. from the top edge and no closer than 3/8 in.

Can I just screw down cement board?

Doing this will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Cement board can also be used on countertops when laying tile. However, the process will involve using an extra sheet of backer board. Never use standard screws when installing cement board.

3 Common Installation Issues with James Hardie Siding

What kind of nails should I use with Hardie board?

NAIL TYPE:

Fasteners must be corrosion resistant, galvanized or stainless steel. Electro-galvanized nails are acceptable for use with James Hardie Siding Products, but may exhibit premature corrosion. James Hardie recommends the use of quality, hot-dipped galvanized nails.

Can I use a framing nailer for Hardie siding?

The answer is, yes. Framing nail guns can be used for siding installation, if the nail being used is long enough to attach the siding firmly to your exterior wood sheathing. While it's recommended to always use a siding nail gun for siding installation, in a pinch, you may be able to use a framing nailer instead.

Do you need to pre drill cement board?

You must pre-drill holes in the material before attaching the screws.

Do you need OSB under Hardie board?

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: HardiePlank® lap siding can be installed over braced wood or steel studs spaced a maximum of 24" o.c. or directly to minimum 7/16" thick OSB sheathing. See General Fastening Requirements.

What goes behind Hardie board siding?

Joint flashing: James Hardie recommends that a slip sheet (joint flashing) is installed behind each butt joint in the siding. This is a 6” wide piece of weather resistive material to make sure that no water gets through.

How do you nail fiber cement board?

Fiber cement siding can be nailed by hand or with a pneumatic nailer. It can also be attached using corrosion resistant screws. Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails. Nails should penetrate through the sheathing and at least 1” into studs.

What is the difference between framing nails and siding nails?

Framing nailers use 3- to 4-inch nails made for piercing and joining lumber. A siding nailer uses shorter nails -- typically 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches, often with wider heads. Some siding nailers are designed for use with aluminum nails which work better with aluminum siding.

What size nails do you use for Hardie board siding?

James Hardie recommends using stainless steel finish nails when installing HardieTrim products. Use a 2 in. finish nail to fasten trim together. Longer finish nails may bend.

Can you use a roofing nailer for hardiplank?

You can shoot Hardie siding on with air powered nailers or use hand driven roofing nails to attach siding to the home or structure. The nails can be ringed- shanked or smooth just make sure you are hitting the studs in the wall.

Can you use screws for Hardie board siding?

Yes, you can drive screws into the Hardie board if you use suitable screws. Hardie Board requires using specific screws to work effectively. For best results, use ribbed stainless steel screws with wafer-head.

Can you use nails in cement board?

While cement board may look and feel a lot like drywall or Sheetrock, the makeup of the interior of the boards is completely different. Therefore, drywall screws or nails will not work for cement boards.

Can you staple Hardie board?

There is a 1/2” crown on the 18-gauge coated stapler. Minimum 1-1/4” long roofing nails or ribbed countersink screws are required for HardieBacker 500 cement board. The chisel point stapler must be at least 7/8” long and coated in 18-gauge.

Can you put cement board on joists?

Do not install HardieBacker Cement Board on joists more than 24” on center. If your floor meets the requirements, the next step is to ensure that it is structurally sound and free of damage. Replace any warped, missing, or uneven sections of flooring so that you have a flat and clean surface.

Can you install cement board without thinset?

Not only is thinset a critical component underneath cement board but the other critical component is the fasteners. And you won't have the fasteners if you are trying to install it over concrete.

Does Hardie board need to be glued down?

Can I use liquid nails or glue with HardieBacker® cement board? No. Where HardieBacker board is being installed over a code-complying subfloor for the attachment of tile, the board is installed over a 3/32''-1/4'' thick bed of bonding mortar and then nailed down.