Fiber Cement Board Installation

Fiber cement board siding is durable, low-maintenance and attractive.

Fiber cement siding is more durable than vinyl, requires less maintenance than wood, and gives a house instant curb appeal. Fiber cement siding is available in a wide variety of colors, and in smooth or wood-grained texture. The price of fiber cement siding is moderate; the total cost can be made more affordable by installing the siding yourself. With some common tools and a few tips, you can install fiber cement siding on your home's exterior with professional results.

Things You'll Need

• Fiber cement siding
• Measuring tape
• Carpenter's pencil
• Chalk line
• Chalk
• Circular saw
• Diamond masonry blade
• Vapor barrier
• Staple gun
• Staples
• Utility knife
• 1/2-inch treated plywood
• Cordless drill
• 1/8-inch concrete drill bits
• Hammer or pneumatic air nailer
• 8d galvanized nails
• Air compressor for air nailer
• Caulk gun
• Silicone caulk

Instructions

1. Apply vapor barrier to exterior sheeting. Staple the barrier at one end. Staple at approximately 6-inch intervals vertically and horizontally the length of exterior walls, pulling the barrier tight to avoid gapping. Continue around corners without cutting the barrier. Cut around windows and doors, leaving enough overlap to slide beneath window and door trim.

2. Locate studs along soffits and the foundation. Snap a line along all studs to guide a nailing pattern for siding.

3. Nail a 2x4 vertically along the full height of each wall edge to create trim. Measure 2x4s for window and door trim if desired. Window and door trim will extend 2 inches to each side of window, so measure accordingly. Cut edges of trim at compatible 45-degree angles for the best look. Nail window and door trim into place.

4. Use a level to determine your starting line. Snap a line 1 inch up from top of foundation along the level, making sure the line extends the length of the wall, from the edge of trim at one side to the edge of trim on the opposite side.

5. Cut plywood into 1-inch wide strips. This will be your starter strip and will ensure that the first piece of siding has the proper angle. Line up the top of the starter strip with the chalk line, and nail the strip to the house at studs.

6. Measure the width of the siding. Measure up from the bottom of starter strip at each wall edge according to the width of the siding, and mark the measurement on the wall. Snap a line using the marks as a guide.

7. Line up the top of siding with the chalk line. Nail each end into place on a stud. Nail onto studs along the length of the wall. Repeat the process, placing each piece of siding next to the previous one, until the bottom row is complete.

8. Remove 1 1/4 inch from siding width measurement. Siding is typically 6 1/4 inches wide, so the new measurement would be 5 inches. Use the new measurement to install siding up the rest of the wall. This will give each row of siding the proper overlap.

9. Cut 3 feet off one full piece of siding to stagger the seams. Measure up from he bottom of the previous layer of siding, and using the new measurement, mark and snap a line. Line up the bottom of siding with the chalk line, and nail the siding onto wall at studs. Use full pieces of siding to complete the row, making sure you measure at each end to ensure proper overlap and level siding.

10. Cut 6 feet off one full piece of siding to start the next row, then follow the Step 9 instructions.

11. Use a full piece of siding to start the next row. Follow Steps 9 to 11 until the wall is complete, measuring and cutting siding to fit around doors and windows. Check every four or five rows with a level to make sure siding is straight. Make adjustments if necessary.

12. Repeat Steps 4 to 11 for each wall.

13. Caulk around windows and doors.

Tips & Warnings

• Having a helper will make installation much quicker and easier.

• Fiber cement siding is quite dense and hard. Use a 1/8-inch cement bit to drill starter holes. This will make nailing easier.

• Leave a 1/8-inch gap between siding and window or doors to accommodate caulking.

• Check every four or five rows with a level to make sure siding is straight. Make adjustments if necessary.

• Don't sink nails too deep, or the siding will crack. Nailheads should be level with the surface.

• Fiber cement siding is flexible. Use care when moving pieces, as they can snap or crack.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Install Fiber Cement Siding
• Danny Lipford: How to Install Fiber Cement Siding
• Hometime How-To: Fiber-Cement Siding