How Do I Put Hooks in HardiePlank?
Although HardiePlank resembles siding made from natural wood, it's actually made from cement fibers, which makes the siding more durable than other types and resistant to fire, wood boring insects and termites. Putting hooks into HardiePlank is not a difficult job since it's relatively easy to drill a pilot hole. Once the hooks are installed, you can hang plants from baskets or window boxes on the siding, put up lights to decorate your home or display a flag held in a bracket. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Helper (optional)
- Level
- Chalk
- Drill and drill bit
- Hooks
- Stud finder (optional)
Instructions
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1
Select a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the hooks you want to install. Since HardiePlank is comparable to a hardwood, use a larger bit than if you were drilling into soft wood, which is an easier material to screw into since it has less resilience to screws and nails.
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2
Mark where you want the first hole. You can use the measuring tape from the ground or any level surface like a windowsill and mark the first position using the chalk. Estimate how far apart you want the holes for the hooks and draw a vertical where the second hole should be. When the hooks are farther apart than your arm can reach, a helper can take the end of the measuring tape and mark the distance with a vertical line. Measure from a level surface to mark exactly where to put the horizontal mark on the vertical line so that the mark for the first pilot hole is level with the second hole. Repeat the process if you are installing more than two hooks in a horizontal line.
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3
Place the level against the siding to check how straight your marks are. When the bubble is in the middle of the level, your marks are perfectly straight. If you need to reposition the marks for the pilot holes, rub away the first mark before making the second one to avoid confusing one with the other. If your level is too short to reach the second hole, use the tape measure as a guide for drawing a straight line with the chalk between the two marks. You can place your level anywhere along the line to verify that the line is perfectly straight.
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4
Drill the holes deep enough to accommodate the full length of the threaded portion of the hooks. Insert the hooks by turning them clockwise until the hooks are tight.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are hanging something heavy, find the studs in the wall to place the hooks. The HardiePlank manufacturer does not recommend using toggle bolts in the material. Most of the time the studs are 24 inches apart and 2 inches wide. You will want to be certain that you place the marks for the bolts in the center of the stud for the best support for the object you are hanging from the hooks.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
