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How To Nail Hardie Board Siding

Best Nail Guns For Hardie Siding And Trim

How to Nail HardiePlank® Lap Siding

A nail gun is a very common tool for your household activities and DIY projects. Even you may have used different types of nailers on many occasions. But, when it comes to finding out the best nail gun for Hardie siding and trim projects it becomes a tricky one, isnt it?

Hardie plank siding has become a very popular trend lately as it gives an aesthetic look to your residence. But this task requires some special treatments.

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Preview

As the starter, you cant use a regular nail gun for the Hardie siding project. Siding nailers are very much alike framing ones, but with some obvious distinct features and specially designed for a siding project.

You need to pick the best nail gun for Hardie trim for a successful siding operation. Some recommendations with a complete buying guide will come as handier, right? So, here it comes.

Installing Hardiplank Lap Siding

Measure up from the ground 6 inches plus the width of one plank at a corner and make a mark on both sides of the corner.

You must maintain a 6-inch clearance between the ground and the planks and a 2-inch clearance between finished surfaces like deck boards, concrete, steps or sidewalks and roofing materials, or flashing.

Place a laser level on the mark pointing at the next corner. Use the laser to mark the next corner and snap a chalk line between the marks. Extend the chalk line around the house using the laser to mark the subsequent corner.

Place a corner trim piece against the corner and make it flush with the edge of the corner. Nail it in place with two siding nails every 16 inches.

Place the second piece of corner trim on the opposite side of the corner flush with the outside edge of the first piece. Nail it to the house framing with two siding nails every 16 inches. Do all the corners before continuing.

Hold a HardiePlank siding board with the top edge against the chalk line and 1/8 inch away from the corner trim. Nail the board to the house every 16 to 24 inches with a roofing nail along the nail line printed on the top of the siding board.

Measure down from the top of the installed board 1 1/4 inches every four feet and make a mark. Hold the next board on these marks and nail with siding nails along the nail line.

You can also buy clips that hold the siding planks in place with the 1 1/4-inch overlap and break off after the planks are nailed.

Hardie Board And Batten Siding

Rustic-chic Farmhouse design homes are truly stylish and radiate character. Design magazines and online feeds put pictures of this fabulous look before us constantly, confirming its the hot trend and inspiring us to indulge. To establish this great look, Hardie Board and Batten siding is used on homes by TeVelde & Co. To achieve the Farmhouse design, wide vertical planks are joined together by thin vertical strips to cover the seams.

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Placing Your Hardie Board

Placing the new piece of hardie board is just as simple as the demo. Youll need to measure the length of the boards youll be replacing. Then head to your local building supply store and grab your supplies.

Heres the trickiest part about this whole process: while hardie board is an amazing product, it also breaks a little too easily. They break under their own weight, so make sure to carry them vertically, not flat. Another pair of hands is always best when handling the boards.

If youre replacing multiple boards, start next to a board that is already fixed in place, this will help ensure the run stays straight.

When you have the board in place, simply slide it under the board that will be on top of it and even them out with the board it butts against.

If its just one board youre replacing, have your helper square it on the opposite end and hammer away. Youll want to use nails rated for exterior use and with a finish head. Nail guns are great for this were big fans of the airstrike.

Youll want to place a nail every 12 inches, top and bottom. Be sure the top one goes through both boards.

If youre replacing more than one board in a run, simply hammer a nail into the top corner to support it and then move half way down the board. Use a 4 foot level to check, and then hammer in another nail. Then hammer away on the rest of the board.

Is Lightweight Really Better

Correctly Nailing Hardieplank Siding Texas Home Exteriors ...

A lot of power tools are designed to be as lightweight as possible, but lightweight can also mean low durability in some cases.

When it comes to nail guns a lightweight design really is important for reducing hand, arm, and shoulder fatigue. That doesnt mean that you should settle for bad materials in a lightweight design.

Look for nail guns that use a lot of aluminum and magnesium components, and that have a lot of their weight invested in the motor on the tool. Aluminum and magnesium both offer incredibly high durability for the weight of the materials, which means that youll get a more durable tool without a ton of extra weight.

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S Involved In The Installation Process

James Hardie siding should never be installed as a DIY project. Here are the steps involved that the pros will take when you hire them for your siding installation.

  • Remove old sidingPrepare the home exterior for replacement siding.
  • Install HardieWrap Weather BarrierThis provides a balance of water resistance and breathability to protect your home from the weather elements.
  • Add fastenersCorrosion resistant, galvanized or stainless steel fasteners are required.
  • Install Hardie Board sidingDetailed attention will be given to the joints between siding boards.
  • Apply ColorPlus touchup for a finished lookExtra care will be taken not to use too much paint when touching up after installation.
  • Should You Caulk Hardie Board Siding

    Caulking is good building practice when installing Hardie Board siding because it seals the joints, which prevents moisture from entering the wall cavity. When you caulk around the trim edges, eaves, windows, and doors, it provides extra prevention from any leaks that might have occurred.

    Just remember that James Hardie recommends you use sealants and caulks that remain permanently flexible. The label or accompanying literature will say either permanently flexible or permanent flexibility, so look out for those words when selecting the caulk. Also, remember to allow the caulk to dry for the recommended time for best results.

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    Numax Sfr2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree Full Round Head Framing Nailer

    Numax is a brand of Prime Global Products Inc., a leading tool manufacturer based in Georgia, USA. DIYers, handymen, and small-scale contractors in the country trust this brand as a provider of professional quality pneumatic power.

    Precise, lightweight, reliable, and fair-priced. These are the reasons why the NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree Full Round Head Framing Nailer is considered the best nail gun for Hardie siding.

    If youre looking for a good nailer for siding installation, chances are that youll not want to get a tool that costs an arm and leg. After all, youll use it only once in a while unless youre doing lots of repairs from time to time.

    The air-powered Numax is a bargain. While it goes for less than a hundred bucks, a cordless unit with the same power could cost you well over a hundred.

    When installing siding or trim or doing other construction works around the home, youll inevitably come across several tight spaces. If youre using a straight nailer, getting into the spaces and deploying the nails successfully will be a bit of a challenge.

    However, with an angled nailer such as this 21-degree unit from Numax, getting into tight spaces and nailing is a hitch.

    Do you have some leftover nails from your previous projects? Tell you what? You dont have to throw them away. You can use them with this gun as long as they are 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. The nailer takes plastic-collated nails of the said sizes. The brand of the nails doesnt matter.

    Lights Receptacles And Vents

    How To Nail HardiePlank Lap Siding

    Most fiber cement manufacturers make mounting blocks for lights, electrical receptacles, A/C lines, PVC venting, etc. Jaime prefers to use the vinyl mounting blocks typically used with vinyl siding. Theyre cheaper and easy to install, and you can cut the proper-size hole in a plastic mounting block with a utility knife or a snips. With fiber cement blocks, you have to use a jigsaw or a hole saw.

    MountMaster is one brand of blocks sold at Lowes and many lumberyards. Its available in more than 25 colors, but you can order paintable blocks if you want an exact match with your siding or trim.

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    Lets Get Started With Your Hardie Board Installation

    Now that you know how to install Hardie Planks, its time to get started with the process. Fiber cement products by James Hardie are some of the highest-rated on the market today. Its beauty and durability make it an easy choice for millions of American homeowners. In fact, more than 8 million homes throughout the United States are protected by this product.

    At Legacy Service, we provide siding replacement and installation services for those throughout southeastern PA, NJ, and DE. We also offer other home exterior services, including but not limited to roofing replacement and window installation. If youre interested, give us a call today to schedule a free estimate.

      Contact Us

    • 95 James Way, Suite 100 Southampton, PA 18966

    Best Nail Gun For Hardie Siding

    As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn a small commision from qualifying purchases.

    Learn which nail gun is right for hardie siding installation projects from our reviews of our favorite picks for the best nail gun for hardie siding.

    Keep in mind that we shall tackle common questions surrounding hardie siding jobs including what size nails do you use for hardie siding after the reviews.

    Here we go:

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    How Do You Fix Nail Holes In Siding

    If you simply have a small puncture in your vinyl siding, repair is easy. Use siding cleaner to clean the area around the puncture. Wipe the area dry with a rag. Cut the tip of your color-match vinyl siding caulk and fit the tube into your caulk gun. Squeeze the caulk into the puncture to fill the space behind the hole.

    Can You Use Roofing Nails For Fiber Cement Siding

    Problems With James Hardie Siding Installations

    4.6/5You can useroofing nailersidingyounailyounailHardieshow tosiding using roofing nailsroofing nailer

    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. Our Crews prefer 1 3/4 smooth shank roofing nails to install Hardie.

    Subsequently, question is, can you nail into fiber cement siding? 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 1into studs.

    Hereof, what kind of nail gun do I need for fiber cement siding?

    galvanized nails in his 15-gauge trim gun. He uses the same size nails to install the corners on the wall. Dont use a framing gun or try to handnail the corners together thats a good way to break the trim boards. Also, the trim nails look better where nails will be exposed, especially on a prefinished corner board.

    Are roofing and siding nails the same?

    Usually, roofing nailer is used to put the shingles tight on the surface. The length of nails is varied from the thickness of the surface. On the other hand, siding nails are only used for fastening siding stuff so that the nail has to be strong enough to hold it.

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    Bostitch Coil Siding Nailer 1

    Stanley- Bostitch produces first-class, innovative clipping tools for commercial, constructive, and home renovation tools. This Bostitch Coil Siding Nailer is a 15 Degree Coil Siding Nailer used for weld wires and plastic-inserted coil nails. This lightweight tool has an aluminum cover.

    You can adjust the penetration of the nails. Due to the soft rubber foot, you can use it on a variety of siding materials. The Bostitch Coil Siding Nailer works with any air-hydraulics and has been mechanized in a way that the exhausted air will be deviated away from you while using it.

    Pros

    • It can be used for well-wires and plastic-inserted coil nails
    • It has a soft rubber foot can be used in both hard and soft materials

    Cons

    This Bostitch Coil Siding Nailer has some of its inadequacy. A few of our customers claimed that they were a bit unsatisfied with its finishing. The reason is straight- the depth issue. One-fourth of the extensive nails were found to be not getting inside the wood completely until hammered. Whereas some had problems with controlling the power of the machine, other than that, its a good choice for your Hardie sidings.

    Introduction: Information About James Hardie

    Whats now known as the James Hardie brand today was first established in 1888. They pioneered the technology for fiber cement products in the 1980s, and now theyre the worlds leading manufacturer of premium building products. More than 8 million homes across the United States are protected by James Hardie. Its time for you to do yourself a favor and become one of those homeowners.

    James Hardies most popular building materials include HardiePlank® , HardieShingle® , HardiePanel® , HardieTrim® , HardieSoffit® , Aspyre® , HardieBacker® , and HardieWrap® .

    HardiePlank® lap siding is not just James Hardies best-selling product its also the most popular brand in North America. James Hardie products are known for their superior durability. Home exteriors are exposed to the elements all day long, every day! Weather, water, fire, pests, time you name it they can all be damaging. Fortunately, James Hardie develops products that can stand up to them. And if youre interested in the appearance, you can rest assured youre selecting the most beautiful product on the market today, with an extensive range of colors to choose from.

    In this article, well discuss the installation of Hardie Board siding. If youre looking to complete this type of project yourself, read on. We provide a step-by-step guide to installing Hardie siding.

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    How Board And Batten Siding Is Used On Omaha Homes Today

    The Farmhouse look emerged decades ago when farmers used sawmills to cut long boards, and battens were used to make the structure airtight. It was a simple process that produced energy efficient homes and barns.

    Today, to achieve the Farmhouse design, Hardie Vertical Panel are used as the main siding material, and HardieTrim are used as a decorative accent, giving designers room for distinct creativity.

    Modern and Traditional homes vary batten spacing, and incorporate additional siding materials or profiles to mix things up a bit and give a splash of modern design and unique personality to homes.

    Here are some variations and modern uses of James Hardie Board and Batten siding.

    • For a simple yet modern lookIf you want the Board and Batten look for your entire home exterior, choose wider spacing to give your home exterior a look thats not too busy, yet simple, stylish and modern.
    • For a contemporary appealing designUse Board and Batten in conjunction with another siding profile such as HardiePlank® lap siding.
    • To create the look of an applied grateInstall a tighter Board and Batten look in the peak of your home exterior.
    • To accent your homes featuresAdd some gorgeous visual interest to your home exterior by using Board and Batten to create gable detail.
    • Keep paint colors simpleChoose a simple siding color palette of whites with black accents for a modern, Farmhouse look.

    Window And Door Detail

    How to Nail HardieTrim® Boards

    Whether or not youre installing trim boards around your windows, youll need to install a drip cap over the window. Youll also need to leave a 1/4-in. gap between the top of the window and the plank or trim board directly above it. This is to allow any water that may have gotten behind the siding to weep out. Tape the drip cap to the wall, but dont tape all the way to the bottom of the drip cap because it will be visible through the 1/4-in. gap. The top trim board will also need its own drip cap and 1/4-in. gap. Treat the tops of doors the same way.

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    Hanging Hardie And Butt Joints

    No matter how good you are at cutting Hardie siding you should avoid hanging cut ends in the middle of a wall. Make a habit of putting factory edges to factory edges and at butt joints use a piece of flashing behind joint to keep water from traveling behind siding. You can cut pieces of felt paper, painted aluminum coil stock, or pieces of house wrap. We find it just a cheap and easy to buy a flashing called bear skins, its like a large post it note with a sticky tab that adheres to the wall behind the butt joint. It really doesnt matter what you use as long as you use something.

    Treating butt joints with caulking will only make a mess of your new siding and will not be a long term solution. Place factory edges to factory edges and use a flashing behind the butt joint and you will be fine.

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