Should you paint the backside of Hardie board siding?

All sides of the Hardie Board are painted (even the edges) and therefore the entire board is completely sealed. (Although Hardie Board comes from the factory without the back of the board primed, according to James Hardie's support department, they say you can prime and paint the entire board.)

What is the best way to paint Hardie board?

Does Hardie trim 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.

Do you nail the bottom of Hardie board siding?

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.

What goes behind Hardie 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 TO SPRAY HARDIE PLANK. Home Improvement Tips Painting Cement Fiber Board.

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).

Does Hardie board need a moisture barrier?

Depending on your local building authority having jurisdiction (the AHJ) over your building codes, vapor barriers are almost always required, whether your builder uses James Hardie products or some other, inferior product.

Should fiber cement siding be caulked?

Many professionals, like those at James Hardie, also agree that you should not use caulk on fiber cement siding unless there is no metal flashing underneath. Flashing acts as a waterproofing layer for this type of siding, and caulking will prevent the flashing from doing its job.

How do you fill nail holes in Hardie board?

The installation guide for Hardie Board, which is a brand of cement board siding recommends using caulking to fill nail holes. When I've installed it I used a high-quality exterior paintable calking after smoothing the edge of the holes. Once the caulk is dry you can touch up the paint.

Can you hammer a nail into Hardie board?

Yes, you can drive screws into the Hardie board if you use suitable screws. Hardie Board requires using specific screws to work effectively.

Can you pressure wash Hardie board?

The manufacturer recommends that you do not pressure wash your Hardie siding. The hard spray of water from the power washer can damage the surface of the siding. In fact, pressure washing fiber cement siding is one of the only ways you can damage this durable type of siding.

Does caulking Hardie board void the warranty?

These such areas are called “field butt joints.” In the case of James Hardie's Color Plus siding, which has a pro-rated 15-year warranty, using caulk at field butt joints will flat out void your warranty!

How long does hardiplank siding last?

There are so many pros, it offsets the con for this siding material: the initial cost. 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.

What type of exterior paint finish is best for Hardie board?

If you manage to get the right paint, then Hardie siding can look good for up to a maximum of twenty years. Consult a professional exterior painter for their recommendations here, but one of the best paints for this project is going to be a 100% acrylic paint or acrylic latex paint.

Can you use a roller to paint Hardie board?

A good quality roller will help you apply in even, smooth strokes, covering as much space as possible at one time. Just don't hurry this process; it's best to go slow. Painting is an art! When applying paint to your fiber cement siding, don't make the mistake of putting too much paint on your brush.

Should Hardie board be primed?

Whether you've got a ColorPlus finish or custom paint on your existing Hardie siding, you don't have to use primer when re-painting Hardie. All you should have to do is rinse your siding (use a garden hose - no pressure washers here!) to clean off any dust or dirt.

What kind of caulk do you use on Hardie board siding?

Manufacturers' Caulk and Sealant Recommendation Sheet S-100B

Caulks and Sealants: James Hardie recommends the use of caulks and sealants that remain permanently flexible.

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.

Should I caulk siding butt-joints?

The bottom of siding boards should not be caulked

While paint does tend to somewhat glue these pieces together, caulking them is never advised and can cause permanent damage.

Do you leave a gap between Hardie board siding?

Run the siding to the HardieTrim® board leaving a 1/8 in. gap between the siding and trim. The bottom of the siding should be kept even with the bottom of the trim, or if desired, the trim may extend below the bottom of the siding. But the siding should never hang below the trim.

Do I need plastic behind Hardie board?

plastic behind cement board with waterproofing is essentially suspenders when you already have a belt. the waterproofing is also a vapor retarder so if the red guard or kerdi product is continuous, lapping corners and all, the plastic will be unnecessary.

Which is better cement board or Hardibacker?

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.