Hardie Planks Hardie Planks And Siding

Here we’ll talk about an important plank siding that you should be aware of. Siding is one of the most important elements for the residence that would need remodeling while you undertake house renovation. Basically, it pertains to exteriors of your house as it protects that from environmental effects like water and humidity. As it’s on the exterior of the house, it surely can make your house look more attractive if applied properly. So, you need to be careful while deciding your choice of material to be used.

These days you get too many options as far as sidings are concerned. One of the most preferred siding is Hardie plank siding, of course, and this is why I based my blog about it. Most people are looking for information on this type of home protection and decoration. So it’s natural that homeowners looking for durable siding with graceful texture most often opt for this siding. It is quality made material since it is a complex mixture of cement like material and cellulose fibers but looks exactly like wood. Yet, it scores over wood as it doesn’t decay or fade like wood. It’s tough to beat this and many people know it.

Another reason that makes siding so favorite of homeowners is that it is safer to use, compared to other available options. Unlike wood it is fire resistant indeed. All these characteristics of this siding encourage homeowners to prefer using this plank siding instead of wood or vinyl.

When renovating your house be sure not to overlook all the options at hand. Because of technical innovations, these days you get many siding options apart from just plank siding. Before you come to any conclusion, make sure that this is the type of siding that would go well with your residence and conforms to your standards.

Let’s get into the alternatives. I won’t go into too much detail right now, but it’s quite possible I’ll make another post about each of these individually. You can see my post on vinyl though, where I compare vinyl and hardie.

1. Wood – This is easily one of the most traditional siding options offered by the industry. The most important point in favor of this kind of siding is its highly affordable price. The other verities of sidings, including Hardie plank siding, are quite expensive when compared to wooden sidings. People with very limited budget will find it as their best option.

2. Cedar shingle – This kind of siding is another favorite of many mainly because it has an excellent texture and looks. Of course, it makes your residence look very appealing.

3. Vinyl – This type of siding is derived from good quality vinyl. Its most helpful feature is that it can bear any kind of weather. It’s highly durable as it can easily resist deterioration and therefore doesn’t fade so easily. Moreover, it’s not too expensive an option. As a matter of fact it works out economical than sidings made from wood.

So, if you are in the process of making changes to exteriors and interiors of your residence, you’ll be able to add value to your house by including siding in your plans. Renovation of siding is a sure way of not only increasing the value of your house but also improving the overall atmosphere around it.

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 for the perfect material for their outdoor wall, 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.