Building or remodeling a home involves countless choices and decisions when it comes to design, budget, and the different materials or products required to make it all a reality. One product line we stand behind is the siding and trim products with ColorPlus® Technology finishes from James Hardie, the world’s leading producer of high-performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions. 

In this four-part video series, we speak with Brian Horstmann, Director, Sales PNW and Southwest, for James Hardie, diving deep into how the brand’s siding products with ColorPlus® Technology finishes are uniquely designed to withstand the test of time, the benefits of using them in your building project, along with installation best practices and cost comparisons. 

It’s essential to properly use or install any building material to ensure maximum performance. In today’s episode, Brian covers a range of questions and best practices for installing Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes.

This episode is longer than the others in this series. While we cover the highlights below, make sure to watch the full video to gather all the information. 

How do you properly store the siding or trim? 

It’s simple: You want to keep everything dry and flat. The product should be dry when you install it. Full units of product are shipped with a shipping bag covering the material to help protect it, but it’s not a long-term storage solution. If your siding will be out in the elements, it should be fully covered by a waterproof tarp. The product should be dry when you install it. If your product gets wet (it happens, especially in the Pacific Northwest!), Brian recommends laying out the boards in a garage to dry out before using. The back of the product is unfinished, allowing it to dry out, and there’s no need for moisture testing. 

How do you handle butt joints? 

Historically, it was common to use caulking at butt joints, but it’s not recommended for James Hardie’s primed products and even goes against installation procedures for pre-painted products. Instead, Brian explains that the company recommends moderate contact between boards with back flashing (like plastic, metal, or slipsheet) behind the point where the boards meet to block any moisture. The reason? Not using caulking minimizes the need for future maintenance. Brian goes into more detail on this topic, including when they do recommend caulking, starting at 2:50 in the video. He also touches on caulking in another answer below. 

What fasteners do you use with Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes? 

Lap boards are typically nailed about 1” down from the top of the board. Two boards will overlap about 1¼”, so a top board will cover up the nails in a bottom board. James Hardie calls this “blind nailing.” If you nail too high or too low, you may get some rattling in higher winds. Brian also emphasizes that the fastener should be nailed 1” into wood to create a strong hold. When using strapping, the company recommends using a 16-gauge finish nail where you think it’s applicable. Wind speed may require face nailing, but Brian doesn’t see this situation very often in the Pacific Northwest. 

How do you cut or modify the Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes?

The main thing to keep in mind when cutting Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes is that you don’t want to grind the fiber cement. Instead, it’s best to use a blade that chips away at it. With this in mind, the company created the HardieBlade™ which can be used in a circular saw. Unlike a typical blade, the HardieBlade™ has only four teeth that chip away at the fiber cement versus grinding it. They also recommend having the saw connected to a vacuum to manage dust.

What are the best practices around caulking?

This is an important one, so make sure to watch the video conversation starting at 12:52! Several brands have color-matched their caulk offerings to Hardie’s ColorPlus® Technology finishes. The main best practice to keep in mind with tinted caulk is to not tool it when applying, meaning to not use a tool or your finger to press and smear or drag the caulk into an opening. You don’t want to spread the colored caulk because it will break down and fade at a different rate than the board. And, as with any material, read the manufacturer’s product instructions.

How do you touch up Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes?

While you can purchase paint that matches your Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes, you still only want to touch up paint where necessary and always apply it directly on the substrate (like where there's a scratch) or nail. You never want to apply touch-up paint directly on a pre-painted portion. Brian explains that the reasoning behind this is because the pre-painted board was painted and heated to further reinforce bonding to the board. The touch-up paint used out in the field will not adhere in the same way. 

When touching up spots, use a rag to wipe off the excess paint. The company recommends touching up as you install. Keep an eye out for scratches or inconsistencies, and if there’s a blemish that’s larger than a dime, replace the board instead of touching it up with paint.  

Can homeowners DIY their own siding?

The short answer is yes, it is possible. It’s important to accurately understand your skill level and installation requirements, however, and also consider if you already have or are willing to purchase the necessary tools, like a circular saw, blade, and coil nailer. Brian points out that heights and safety also play major roles in whether or not homeowners can DIY their siding safely—maybe it’s doable at ground level, but are you comfortable and safely able to work on the upper stories? 

Do you need to wear mask protection when cutting the product? 

It’s not necessary to wear a mask when using a blade designed for cutting fiber cement and having the saw connected to a vacuum.  

Do you need to use rainscreens? 

It’s not required to use a rainscreen in conjunction with Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes, but it is highly recommended—especially here in the Pacific Northwest. Brian notes that many places, like Vancounver, B.C., and Portland, Oregon, have set building regulations they need to follow regarding installing rainscreens. In Washington, we don’t have a specific requirement, but it’s still strongly suggested. That said, Brian says they don’t typically see rainscreens used with lap products, since the way the lap boards are installed naturally allows water to move and dry out.

And there you have it! If you have other questions about best practices for installing Hardie® Siding with ColorPlus® Technology finishes, you can always learn more in the company’s online product resource center. And don’t miss other videos in this series: