Hardie Planks

Here’s a step-step guide that enables you install sidings. It’ll help all those who were afraid of taking this as a DIY project and always thought of hiring the services of a professional for doing the needful. You should go thru the whole of this before venturing into it and on not feeling confident at the end of it; you may still hire a professional for doing the job.

You’ll be acting smart by covering the sheathing with house wrap. Leave aside the idea of using ordinary plastic, which could trap moisture, and cause the walls to rot.

How to install your own siding

The first step for installing sidings is to hang the first sheet of wrap from the top of one wall and secure it every few feet with plastic-capped nails. Care should be taken while cutting around doors, windows and mechanical obstructions and a utility knife may be used for the purpose. Then tape or caulk along the edges.

The next step involves the fixing of galvanized metal rain caps over all the doors and windows. Nail each cap in place through its back flange, leaving a margin of at least 1/2 inch above the bend.

The third step is to paint the backside of as many panels as you can before you start the installation. This is to prevent entry of moisture to the panels from their rear side. The paint may be applied with the help of roller that should be kept in a plastic bag after you have finished painting and let the bag be in the refrigerator if you intend using it the next day.

Next, you have to nail a spacer under the first row of siding, so that it inclines at the same angle as the boards above it. You should nail the first row flat.

The fifth activity is to take care of various electrical and mechanical hindrances that you’ll face at this level. The best way to turn around such obstacles and protrusions is to make a cut in the siding at the center of the conduit or pipe, and then join the two pieces together with a metal splice meant for end-to-end siding joints.

The sixth step towards installation of sidings is to measure from the nearest corner to the center of the faucet pipe and deduct 1/8” for the splice. Next, cut the siding and make a notch to fit around the pipe. Fix this piece and cut metal splices to fit above and below the pipe. Caulk the splice pieces and get a matching piece of siding from the other end. Nail it down to its place and caulk the splice on both the sides.

The seventh step is to tell you that while installing new siding around vent pipes; you should measure carefully and cut a hole of the size of the pipe. Slide the siding over the pipe and nail it in place.

And, finally, wherever you encounter a vent pipe passing through the wall, using a saw cut a hole. After fitting the hood, apply caulk.

Making plans for installing a siding to your home is much more different than before. This is because you have quite a few options these days. The final choice is governed by the end results you would like to have. In case you are already willing to spend an extra small amount for that much needed extra protection for your home, you may not get a better choice than Hardie board siding. Here’s a strong and unyielding material that remains unspoiled for many years even after a prolonged use and offers many advantages as compared to conventional sidings.

Just for giving a changed look to your home you have the option of using vinyl siding, provided you are in no particular need of providing protection to your home. It works out economical as it offers an easy installation that you may carry yourself. Vinyl siding is available in many colors and textures of varying thickness. It’s available in seamless variety also. But, the difference between Hardie board siding and vinyl lies in its construction. Hardie board siding is thicker and therefore heavier and would generally require the services of a professional for its proper installation, but it has certain outstanding characteristics that enable it to offer better protection against natural elements like water, fire and termites etc.

Once you install a Hardie board siding, it remains there for years and continues looking good. It not only looks like wood, but also gives a similar feel on being touched. However, it doesn’t require recurring expense needed for maintaining a wood siding. Though it may be removed to give your home its original looks, most of the homeowners agree that it adds value to their homes while protecting it from the ill effects of heat or severe storms. Another advantage is that it keeps your home protected from the attacks of termites and other bugs, as it won’t develop cracks. Thus, it enables you home to continue to have its good looks.

Though there are many people who consider Hardie board siding the perfect material for a number of applications, it is not for everyone. It would be worthwhile to spend sometime online to do your own research and acquaint yourself with the likely benefits that you may derive from such a sliding. You may not opt for one of the other available choices.

If you are constructing a new home or even remodeling the existing one, one aspect that you will not to give a prolonged thought will be the kind of exterior you should have. You will realize it is worth spending sometime to research of your own, as there are many options available. You are required not only to study it from the point of view of safety alone, but also take into consideration the looks of your house, which may look extraordinary, yet blend with the surroundings without making it stand-alone.

One major factor that decides the exterior of homes is its cost. A costly exterior doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better than the other options. You need to consider factors other than the cost too.

Apart from its cost you have to see the durability of the material to withstand the weather and its subsequent maintenance over the years. Over and above all these factors you have to keep in view the looks of other houses in the neighborhood, so that it doesn’t get too conspicuous. For example, a majority of houses in the neighborhood may all have brickwork. Under such circumstances you are not left with any option but to have a similar exterior. Even, deciding the color of bricks may pose a challenge.

We all expect the exterior coverings to last almost a lifetime. Some of the exteriors tend to deteriorate fast in the absence of insufficient maintenance. Wood is an example of such a material, as it would rot and fall apart when not maintained properly. Even Metals like aluminum or steel need periodic maintenance to prevent them from getting corroded or rusted respectively. So, you see every material has its plus and negative features and you have to make a comparative study of the options to decide which would best suit your requirements.

A cement boards sliding is one of the most popular and upcoming choice for exterior coverings. People have continued using it for almost a century and it has proven its worth for new and old homes equally well. It makes an excellent choice as an exterior material because of its characteristic resistance to fire and water and its ability to withstand the harshest of weathers. You would do well to take your time in deciding on an appropriate material for the exterior of your home, because this is not something that you can afford to change or replace so quickly and easily.