How To Install Cement Board Siding

If driven too deep the heads will crush the fiber cement board and reduce the nail s holding power.

How to install cement board siding.

Apply a vertical bead of caulk at each end of the wall. Cut a length of fiber cement clapboard siding inch shorter than the width of the front wall. Score the cut line with a utility knife and snap the siding in two. Drive the nailheads snug against the fiber cement board.

In general use nails that penetrate the studs at least 1 in. See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to. Installing fiber cement siding fcs such as hardieplank is easier than you might think though there are some important differences from traditional wood siding. This old house general contractor tom silva shares his secrets for working with fiber cement siding.

Install flashing at all end joints where two pieces of siding butt together. Most panel siding is exterior grade plywood either 1 2 or 5 8 inch thick or some hardboard such as cement fiber. Attach a horizontal strip of wood lath that s 0 25 in 0 64 cm thick and 1 25 in 3 2 cm wide directly above the chalk line. A nail driven into the edge of a fiber cement board will split it.

Be sure the flashing overlaps the siding course below. Many finishes are available to emulate rough cedar wood planks or other textures. Position your first course of siding inch below the starter strip and nail the siding into the studs 1 inch down from the top of the siding. Then you would install your fiber cement corner and window trim.

Do not overdrive the nails. Don t nail fiber cement corners together photo 4. When installing fiber cement siding be sure to leave at least clear space between the siding and the flashing vertical siding should be installed and attached to the structural framing when a non structural sheathing gypsum board or foam type sheathing are used. Fiber cement siding tolerances and gaps.

Leave a small gap at butt joints and fill. Measure up 0 25 in 0 64 cm from where you want the bottom of the fiber cement siding to be then snap a level horizontal chalk line. Installation instructions may vary depending on the manufacturer and check with your local building inspector for any code requirements.