How strong is Hardie board?

Outstanding durability

Hardie Board siding withstands the elements with ease. It keeps looking amazing and performing its job of protecting your home in spite of its direct contact with the elements 24/7. It withstands rain, hail, high winds, storms, snow, ice, harsh humidity, and temperature changes.

Does hardie board break easily?

Hardie siding is waterproof, fire resistant, and pest and insect resistant, which means that not only will the siding last, but it will protect the interior of your home for longer, without warping or breaking.

Is hardie board as strong as brick?

Brick and Hardiplank are some of the most durable materials used in the construction of siding, but brick will outlast Hardiplank.

Is hardie board better than wood?

Hardie® siding is available in a texture that has the classic, natural appearance of cedar, while providing you with more benefits. Unlike wood, James Hardie fiber cement is specifically formulated to better resist the damaging effects of sun, moisture, extreme temperatures, pests, and fire.

Is hardie board fragile?

Hardie siding is a fiber-cement product that comes with a great warranty, but any warranty will be void if the product is improperly installed. Fiber cement can also be brittle before being nailed to the wall. Care must be taken to properly store planks, which generally require two people to carry and install.

5 reasons to choose Hardie Backer Boards

Is Hardie board structural?

Because of its structural strength, HardiePanel siding may be used as a shear panel. When combined with HardieTrim® planks, it can also help you achieve a board-and-batten look. Our fiber cement trim and fascia add the finishing touch to a beautiful, lasting James Hardie home.

Does Hardie board warp?

HardiePlank® is a fiber cement based siding, so it's impervious to water, termites, woodpeckers, and any other animal you can think of. It's dimensionally stable so it won't warp like wood or vinyl siding can, and it won't melt or warp when heat is applied to it.

How long does Hardie board last?

Hardie Board siding is a greater financial investment than vinyl siding, but it lasts longer too. So as you consider this aspect of your decision, realize you will enjoy this outstanding siding for up to 50 years.

Do termites eat Hardie board?

Do Termites Eat Hardie Board? Although termites do eat wood, they cannot get to the wood in Hardie Board siding because of the fiber cement materials throughout the product.

How often does Hardie board need to be painted?

Hardie Plank is also called fiber cement siding. While it's far heavier than aluminum, vinyl or wood, it is extremely durable and typically only needs a new paint every ten to twenty years for maintenance. It is one of the best materials and long-term solutions for protecting your home.

What is the difference between Hardie board and cement board?

HardieBacker is much more light, and it is also the best selling brand of cement board available. It is much cleaner because it does not have any glass in it. It allows for a smooth job with minimal mess. As a bonus, HardieBacker board has an EZ Grid pattern so you can cut perfect lines.

Is it cheaper to build with brick or Hardie board?

Brick runs approximately $4/SF for the installation labor. It takes more labor and more time to install brick veneer siding than it does hardi plank, thus making the brick significantly more expensive when comparing on a square footage basis.

Is Hardie board considered masonry?

James Hardie is one of the biggest names in fiber cement siding. Fiber cement siding gives you benefits of masonry siding in styles that look like stone, brick, clapboards, or shingles like those commonly made from vinyl or wood. James Hardie's fiber cement siding is available in shingles, lap, and vertical styles.

Is Hardie board impact resistant?

Hardie® fiber cement siding resists the impact of hail and windblown debris and is designed to perform in extreme heat and cold.

What was the main problem with fiber cement board siding?

Whether you choose the pre-painted siding or not, your fiber cement siding will need to be painted often to maintain its looks. The paint tends to fade and can even chip. This isn't a problem you experience with other materials such as vinyl or aluminum.

Is it OK for Hardie plank to get wet?

It's no problem for a contractor to install James Hardie products in light rain. And if a board does get wet, but is not sitting in moisture for an extended period of time, you can simply let it dry out before installing. RELATED: Does James Hardie siding fade?

Why is Hardie board so expensive?

High Installation and Labor Costs: Hardie board siding requires more planning, a larger labor force, and takes longer to install due to its composition. It weighs about 300 pounds (100 square feet) compared to 60-70 pounds for vinyl siding. This can increase labor and the cost of cement installation.

Is Hardie board better than vinyl siding?

By contrast, Hardie® fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding. It easily stands up to the elements, resisting damage from wind, rain, freezing temperatures and hail, and gives homes years of protection with low maintenance.

Does mold grow on Hardie board?

It is highly susceptible to mold and mildew. Hardie Plank has many seams and the seams must be sealed or water can infiltrate behind the siding. It can crack and if it does, you must tear the whole wall down in order to replace just one plank. It also is not maintenance free and requires painting every 10 years.

Can you power wash Hardie board siding?

It's recommended to pull out the garden hose and douse your home siding every 6-12 months. Don't use a high-pressure power washer to get the job done, as it turns out a low-pressure hose and a soft medium bristle (nonmetal) brush is the best way to remove dirt and debris from James Hardie® siding and trim.

Does Hardie board need to be sealed?

APPLICATION: General: James Hardie believes it is good building practice to seal the joints to prevent moisture, such as wind-driven rain and snow, from penetrating the wall cavity. Caulking around windows, doors, eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur.

How much does a 4x8 sheet of Hardie board weigh?

Hardieplank weighs 2.3 lbs per square foot.

Do you nail or screw Hardie board?

Fasten HardieBacker sheets with proper nails or screws (as listed in ''Materials Required'' in the backer installation instructions) every 8'' around the perimeter and all supporting studs. Keep fasteners between 3/8'' and 3/4'' from sheet edges and 2'' in from sheet corners.

What causes Hardie plank siding to crack?

Hardie board siding usually cracks due to poor installation. The original installer might have accidentally installed a nail too close to the edge of the siding, causing a crack. You can easily fix it by cleaning it and then using caulk to patch the gap.

Should Hardie board be caulked?

James Hardie DOES NOT recommend using caulk or “H”-jointers for the butt joints of HardiePlank® siding with ColorPlus® technology. James Hardie also DOES NOT recommend applying caulk to the horizontal overlap between siding planks (see Figure 2).