Fiber cement siding

[tomplum]

Yeah, we're pretty wet here. The other house though held up well with the Hardie. I wouldn't have an issue here either I'd think. It's more of one brand verses another. Some have more to offer as far as styles too I'm sure.

 

[ch47dpilot]

I'm helping a friend with the siding on his 12 year old house sided with Hardi Plank

The stuff just rotted off due to snow and splash. (Think deck)

I would never use the stuff in New England. I bet it is fine in the less humid areas.

Live in SE Alabama, 100% humidity and quick rain showers most days in summer. Was thinking about using Hardi Plank on new house but now I have doubts by what people have said about not holding up to moister. Other than vinyl and real cedar what other options would someone suggest for siding. We want the ability to paint whatever we use.

 

[mapper]

We replaced failng LP sheet (T111 style) on the weather side of our house with Hardi plank lap siding about ten years ago. It has held up very well, with no moisture problems.
Several years ago we had the remainder of the house done as well. Our contractor used electric sheet metal shears to cut it, there was no dust at all using that technique. The do cut a little slower than a circular saw however.

 

[fried1765]

Live in SE Alabama, 100% humidity and quick rain showers most days in summer. Was thinking about using Hardi Plank on new house but now I have doubts by what people have said about not holding up to moister. Other than vinyl and real cedar what other options would someone suggest for siding. We want the ability to paint whatever we use.

One of my sons is a roofing/siding contractor in Eastern Massachusetts.
He installs lots of Hardi Plank, on all types of wood frame buildings.
There are a few simple things to do to avoid moisture absorption.
It is a great product,..... when properly installed!

 

[coralhead]

I used the certainteed product on my house about five years ago. I was fortunate enough to find a stained from the factory that my wife liked and just had to seal the ends after cutting. It took me several months on the project since I had to tear off the old board and batten that was there and get the house prepped. I used overlapping trim around the windows and corners. 30# felt at the butt joints and could not be happier with the final product. I also used "Gecko Clamps" to aid in installing since this was a one manned operation.

Southern Indiana area.

When installed correctly this product will do fine.

 

[newbury]

I'm near Washington DC. I replaced T-11 (paint every so often) with preprimed Hardi sheets about 10 or 12 years ago on a 12x16 shed. I had 1 layer of roofing felt already stapled over the shed frame. I predrilled all holes and screwed it down, I think with short deck screws. Cut with circular saw and PPE.

I left one scrap piece out on the ground, on purpose, and it took many years to deteriorate. Shed still looks fine.

 

[s219]

I would not worry about Hardie and moisture -- it takes paint very well and is extremely stable. Leagues better than wood in all regards. We have Hardie lap siding and vertical siding (with PVC for battens nailed over the top) all over our house and it's one of a handful of things about the house that I have total confidence in.

I used scraps to put under a fire pit on the ground and if it has moisture problems I sure haven't noticed it. I am thinking that if a material has been in ground contact and wet for several years and not shown problems, then it should last forever when nailed to a vertical wall and protected by paint.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a big fan of Hardie lap siding and can't think of another product that comes close to what it does. As mentioned, if installed improperly, moisture can become an issue. It's pretty much bug and fire proof, it holds paint better then anything else out there, but if it's left in standing water for an extended period of time, that will break it down. Areas on the lower part of the wall that get a lot of splash from the rain will mold, and the most common mistake that I get hired to fix is when it's installed along the top of shingles. There needs to be a one inch gap between the bottom of the Hardie from touching anything. Quality paints also makes a difference. When something like Sherwin Williams or Valspar is used, you will never have any issues. I do not recommend any other brand of paint!!!!

 

[Jchonline]

Over the years we have had wood, vinyl, brick veneer and fiber cement. We had a fiber cement home in Houston for 14 years no issues with moisture. Hundreds if not thousands of homes in Houston have it. Maybe that was due to installation issues in the WA and Vermont area?

We have fiber cement on our house in Colorado, and it is going on our garage in the mountains. I would not use anything else. Just my opinion.

 

[ovrszd]

Live in SE Alabama, 100% humidity and quick rain showers most days in summer. Was thinking about using Hardi Plank on new house but now I have doubts by what people have said about not holding up to moister. Other than vinyl and real cedar what other options would someone suggest for siding. We want the ability to paint whatever we use.

We're starting a build. My carpenter used to recommend cement, doesn't now. Too much upkeep.

He's suggesting pre-finished "Smart Siding". Google it.

I struggle witha product that is vulnerable to moisture. Friend of mine is 2 years in his house sided with Smart Siding. He built a walk-in shower lined with the same product. It gets wet at least once a day. It was wet when I sw it. Time will tell.

My current house uses Vinyl siding. Best quality available 20 years ago. No fade. No warping. No mold/mildew. One small hole from lawn mower rock.

I'm leaning toward a top quality Polymer/Vinyl siding. Should outlast me with zero concern of moisture.