How to Install Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding, while perhaps not quite as aesthetically pleasing, offers a stability that wooden siding cannot come close to matching. Without the constant swelling and shrinking of wood, and without the rot worries inherent in wooden siding, not to mention termite resistance, fiber cement siding makes a natural choice for anyone wanting to replace or upgrade their siding. Made from cellulose and cement, it cuts and install just like wooden siding, making it good home improvement project. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Respirator
- Safety goggles
- Saw with cement siding blade
- Nail gun
- Ladders
- Helper
- Hand tools
Instructions
-
-
1
Begin by laying out the siding. Start measuring up from the bottom of the house and make a mark every 6 inches. Do this next to all the corner boards on the house. Also do this along door and window casings. Use a chalk line to pop lines between the marks.
-
2
A miter saw equipped with a blade designed to cut fiber cement siding provides the best quality cuts. A circular saw or even a hand held grinder with the appropriate blade will work as well, but the cuts won't be as straight.
-
-
3
Rip a 1 1/2-inch piece of siding and install it at the bottom of the wall for a spacer. This spacer forces the bottom of the first course of siding away from the wall, giving it the same look as the following courses.
-
4
Starting at one side of the wall, place the top edge of the fiber cement siding along the lowest exposed chalk line and nail it in place, making sure to nail into the studs and keeping the nail about within an inch of the top. Do not nail the bottom of the siding boards.
-
5
Make sure to leave a small space about the width of a dime between the siding and corner boards or casing for expansion.
-
6
Where the two pieces of siding in the same course butt together, place a piece of plastic behind the joint, on top of the siding on the course below. You can purchase this at the same place you buy the siding. This prevents water from penetrating through the joint and getting behind the lower courses of siding.
-
7
Once the siding is up, caulk the joints where the siding meets the corner boards and casing.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cutting fiber cement boards is dusty, so wear a respirator and safety goggles. Don't caulk the bottoms of the siding, as this could trap moisture.
