QA

Question: How To Cut Hardie Plank Siding

What is the best tool to cut Hardie board?

A carbide-tipped scoring knife is recommended, but you can also use a utility knife or shears. Never use a high-speed grinder to cut cement board indoors, since this can create a dust hazard.

What kind of saw blade do you need to cut Hardie board?

what is the best saw blade for James hardie siding? For a larger project, use a fiber cement saw blade with polycrystalline diamond tips; if you’re installing Hardie siding on a shed or other small building you can use a fiber cement saw blade with carbide tips.

Can you cut Hardie board with a regular saw blade?

You can use a jigsaw, table saw or circular saw, or another tool, as long as it’s equipped with the right kind of blade. Once prepared, cut the Hardie board as you would any other material. Mark your line; align the board against the guard as needed and slowly but firmly make the cut.

How do you cut Hardie board with a skill saw?

Fit your circular saw with a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade (view example on Amazon), choosing one with as few teeth as possible in order to minimize the amount of dust given off as you saw. Operate your circular saw as you typically would, pushing it slowly and evenly through your cement backer board.

What do you cut Hardie siding with?

Steps: When cutting fiber-cement siding with circular saw, use a blade that has only four or six teeth. To keep dust to a minimum, use a circular saw that’s equipped with either a dust-collection bag or electric fan that blows dust into a bucket. For a slow, but virtually dustless way to cut siding, use power shears.

Do I need a special blade to cut cement board?

Use a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade to minimize dust. Cement is a very hard material, so you’ll need to use a blade that can handle the material. Carbide-tipped wood-cutting blades have fewer teeth than other circular saw blades and the carbide can withstand the strain of the cement.

What nails do you use for Hardie siding?

NAIL TYPE: Fasteners must be corrosion resistant, galvanized or stainless steel. Electro-galvanized nails are acceptable for use with James Hardie Siding Products, but may exhibit premature corrosion. James Hardie recommends the use of quality, hot-dipped galvanized nails.

Do you nail or screw Hardie board?

What is the correct fastener pattern for installing HardieBacker® cement board? Fasten HardieBacker sheets with proper nails or screws (as listed in ”Materials Required” in the backer installation instructions) every 8” around the perimeter and all supporting studs.

What is a carbide-tipped saw blade?

With something like a carbide-tipped saw blade, the main body of the blade is made of steel. The small tips of carbide are brazed on to the body. A good carbide tip might hold an edge ten to twenty times longer than a tool steel tip. The carbide tip on a typical circular saw. Carbide tips do get dull eventually.

Can you use a circular saw to cut cement board?

Cement backer board can be cut with a carbide-tipped scoring tool, just score and snap the sheet, similar to cutting drywall. For straight cuts, use a circular saw fitted with a carbide-tipped woodcutting blade, but here’s a little secret: use a blade with the fewest number of teeth you can find.

Can you cut cement board with a Sawzall?

A: You can cut cement backer board with a circular saw or grinder equipped with an abrasive or diamond blade. A reciprocating saw with an abrasive blade will also do the trick, and so will a backerboard scoring knife, which works like a standard razor knife but with a carbide cutting edge.

How do you cut Hardie board with a jigsaw?

You can also cut holes using a jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade or a drill fitted with a carbide-grit hole saw. When using a jigsaw to cut a round or square hole, start by drilling a hole through the backer board with a 3/8-inch-diameter masonry drill bit. Then insert the jigsaw blade into the hole and start cutting.

Can I use drywall screws on cement board?

You don’t want to use regular drywall screws for cement boards. They can corrode, they can break down the edges of the boards, and they won’t drive in flush properly. Use ITW’s ROCK-ON and BACKER-ON screws instead.

Can you use screws on HardiePlank?

HardiePlank® lap siding may be used with fasteners approved by ICC-ES ESR-2290 spaced in accordance with the Wind Load Tables. Fasteners must be corrosion resistant, galvanized or stainless steel. Fasteners shall be installed between 1 in. and 3/4 in.

Should hardiplank siding be caulked?

For regular Hardiplank lap siding (the kind you paint AFTER installation), caulking at butt joints is optional. This from installation instructions: A high quality, paintable caulk is recommended.

Can you nail through Hardie board?

You can shoot Hardie siding on with air powered nailers or use hand driven roofing nails to attach siding to the home or structure. The nails can be ringed- shanked or smooth just make sure you are hitting the studs in the wall. Nails drive in too high won’t hold as won’t nails that are over driven.

What kind of paint do you use on Hardiflex?

Answer. The most economical type of paint recommended for HardieFlex fiber cement boards are water-based (latex) paints. Acrylic, vinyl, and PVA are all water-based paints as well. Acrylic can be used for both external and internal applications.