What is proper installation for Hardy Board????
We have been told that the nails should not be exposed but nailed so that each course of siding covers the nails from the previous course. Then we were told this is no longer true. Our siding guys have laid it both ways. Most have no nails exposed but one section has about 20 nails exposed in the siding. Can someone clarify????? Thanks.
Hope this helps, again, the company website has the basic installation guide on-line.
JL
Exposed nail head in HardiePlank siding are not the preferred method of installation now, but ...»
However, any exposed nail heads, as long as they are covered with a thick coat of paint (or preferably 2 coats) should not be a problem. I actually prefer nailing the siding boards at the bottom, specifically because it holds the lap siding in much better than blind nailing (i.e. nailing at the top). The siding does not move at all with nails in the bottom of the board, as you have effectively nailed the board at the bottom AND top once the nails go in the bottom of the next board above.
However, this method fails miserably for a few things:
1) if the contractor left a gap in the butt joint, as caulk WILL fail. The butt joints should be tight
2) if there is no flashing behind the butt joints (I've actually yet to see this done on any HardiePlank installation)
3) if the homeowner doesn't maintain the paint over the exposed nail heads.
You have exposed nail heads on your roof at every roof penetration, and they don't leak. And that is because they are sealed, so maintenance is the only drawback that I can find with nailing the boards at the bottom. They MUST be maintained with a coat of paint to seal the nail heads. And thus, blind nailing/nailing at the top of the siding is now preferred, as it removes the maintenance issues from the homeowner.
I'll check it out.