Hardie Plank, Pre-paint vs pre-painted vs paint when installed

[Zogman]

Framing on my garage is almost completed and I'm doing my homework for my Hardie plank cement fiber siding. The pre-painted colors supplied by Hardie is not an exact match to my house but it might just do. I was thinking of either pre-painting the primed planks myself before I install them so I can ensure that they have a good coat on them or I am thinking of just painting them after installation. Any thoughts on your past experiences with either of the 3 methods here? Thanks
Zoli

 

[matcat58]

Painting the heads of all the fasteners after install is a P.I.T.A. and looks terrible when the finish fades and the touch up doesn't. Primed is cheaper, and gives a uniform finish that will fade evenly.

 

[rippered]

The factory finishes are usually better than what can be done in the field. I haven't used much Hardie siding but with other pre-finished siding the nailing pattern has the nails covered by the next course of siding. So no or very little nail head touch up.

 

[ph1gering]

I still don't know why people go with a siding that requires future maintenance, specially with all the crazy vinyl sidings available today.

I have heard nothing about great things about hardy, but why want something you will have to paint at some point.. way off topic... sorry..

 

[Woodtick]

We have Hardy on our house and a couple other buildings.I've also done a few siding jobs with it as a contractor. I prefer to use the primed and apply one coat before installation. Then install and paint all cut ends.Caulk as needed with a good grade of paintable caulk and apply finish coat.This gives you the most uniform final coat in my opinion.I have never been to impressed with the prefinished jobs I've seen where they try to touch up dings and match the caulk.

Rich

 

[wnstwolf]

X10 with wood tick. The actual siding was fine prepainted on our new construction but trim should be primed only, do your nails and caulk and then paint final color.

My biggest hassle with the hardi plank is that it is a tough one man job even with the helper devices out there. I had 16' length pieces and without help they would flex and brake. Good luck

 

[slip knot]

I still don't know why people go with a siding that requires future maintenance, specially with all the crazy vinyl sidings available today.

I have heard nothing about great things about hardy, but why want something you will have to paint at some point.. way off topic... sorry..

I cant believe you think Vinyl siding is maintenace free.

 

[Falcon67]

Hardi holds paint really well. I used primed and applied two coats. If I have to paint again in 15 years I'd be surprised.

 

[gilr]

We just had our house done with the pre-finished Hardi Plank and are very pleased with it. The finish is smooth, no brush marks and the caulk supplied is color matched. All nails are covered by the next course. The finish is somewhat flat in sheen so if you want a semi-gloss or gloss finish, get it pre-primed and finish to match.

 

[jmlcolorado]

I still don't know why people go with a siding that requires future maintenance, specially with all the crazy vinyl sidings available today.

I have heard nothing about great things about hardy, but why want something you will have to paint at some point.. way off topic... sorry..

Because vinyl blows cow balls, that's why. The way it's installed, creats hundreds and hundreds of little holes for budpgs to make home in all over the house. It fades over time, and you CANT paint it.
If you live in an area hail is normal, a good size hail storm will trash the siding.
Want to add/change a window or door? Not as easy as pulling off a 1x4 piece of trim and going to town. Now you have to deal with j channel. And brick moulding that finished off a door won't always work.
Metal fascia and/or garage door jamb trim? Expect it to dent the moment you look at it wrong.

Vinyl is a cheap way out of replacing siding.

This is personal opinion only, your milage might vary.

I'm in new home construction and we use hardi. Not primed. Cut edges are primed as they are installed. Trim is all composite and pre primed. The houses look great once it's up and painted. I would certainly go with a cement board product and paint after it's up.

 

[purplezr2]

How are you guys painting this stuff. Sprayer or ???

 

[Zogman]

Great feedback guys. Much appreciated. Keep it coming!!!

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I still don't know why people go with a siding that requires future maintenance, specially with all the crazy vinyl sidings available today.

I have heard nothing about great things about hardy, but why want something you will have to paint at some point.. way off topic... sorry..

You are kidding, aren't you? I had vinyl and the last two house, never again. Sniders and other critters love all the nooks and crannies to make their nests. Wasps get inside and make their nests. Vinyl gets caught in a windstorm and breaks free (not on my house but many others).

We're building again this fall and using Hardie Plank. I'm thinking of pre painting and touch up after installation.

 

[JimVonBaden]

The factory finishes are usually better than what can be done in the field. I haven't used much Hardie siding but with other pre-finished siding the nailing pattern has the nails covered by the next course of siding. So no or very little nail head touch up.

 

[ph1gering]

I cant believe you think Vinyl siding is maintenace free.

I believe its nearly maintenance free, minus washing if you want to. Our house is 21 years old and beside it fading I have only had to calk some windows it has been 0 effort on my part..

I am just saying I don't understand why people pick a siding that will require painting etc.. All siding can get broken, kicked, ruined by something, I just would rather not ever have to paint if I didn't have to. I have never priced it out but hard board aint cheap, so I dont think its picked for the money saving factor.

 

[Woodtick]

How are you guys painting this stuff. Sprayer or ???

I use a roller for the first coat when it's on the sawhorses, and a brush for the final coat.The brush goes quicker than you think as Hardi takes paint very nicely.
Rich

 

[ph1gering]

You are kidding, aren't you? I had vinyl and the last two house, never again. Sniders and other critters love all the nooks and crannies to make their nests. Wasps get inside and make their nests. Vinyl gets caught in a windstorm and breaks free (not on my house but many others).

We're building again this fall and using Hardie Plank. I'm thinking of pre painting and touch up after installation.

Not kidding at all, I am sure no house with hardy board has ever had a wasp make a nest on it.. Lol come on.. If the siding comes off in a wind storm it wasn't installed properly. I have seen this happen in the Ryan track homes or in national builders, but never in a quality build. If its done right you can't beat vinyl in my opinion. To each their own, just was trying to see a major benefit in picking this option and so far none have been given.. Quality vinyl product install correctly will require far less maintenance in the long run.

Things that make me nervous about hardie board, **** joints are calked and will over time gap or need re-calking, needs to be repainted... about it..

I know if i was using this i would make sure to install vertical strapping on top of the sheathing. This allows for air movement, so any water that gets in behind the siding can evaporate. Creates a raingap. They even require it now on the commercial buildings, its the better way to do this. I'd also find one that has locking joints vs caulked **** joints.

http://www.jameshardiecommercial.com/hardiepanel-install-requirements.shtml

http://www.jameshardiecommercial.com/pdf/HardiePanel-Rainscreen-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf

Also I live in upstate NY so we don't deal with Hurricanes or other things so its a bit different wind rating here.. We just deal with Gun Grabbers, King Andy and High taxes..

Vertical Strapping:

 

[ph1gering]

I did find one benefit, its fire proof rating.. Vinyl will burn quick once its started.

 

[volleyball]

Vinyl siding is like putting plastic wheel covers on your vehicle instead of some nice alloys.

There are some quality vinyl but it is a small percentage. All of it needs maintenance but most just don't do it.

 

[Kevin C]

I painted after the boards were up. Since my wife is the one who does the paint work, that was the fasted method. I'm not that worried that I have brush marks, its not a car, its the outside of a garage!

Looks great.

The rain screen is a good suggestion. I used a drainable barrier.

I also flashed each joint and caulked it. All cut ends were primed.

The final result was great and by painting it ourselves, we were not limited on color choice and did not have to deal with matching a factory finish. That and handling scrapes were not an issue.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

You are kidding, aren't you? I had vinyl and the last two house, never again. Sniders and other critters love all the nooks and crannies to make their nests. Wasps get inside and make their nests. Vinyl gets caught in a windstorm and breaks free (not on my house but many others).

We're building again this fall and using Hardie Plank. I'm thinking of pre painting and touch up after installation.

OMG, don't tell me we have a mutant creature to watch out for now ?

A SNIDER ? A damn snake with 8 legs ? Just funnin' ya'll

 

[Slednut]

We have Hardy on our house and a couple other buildings.I've also done a few siding jobs with it as a contractor. I prefer to use the primed and apply one coat before installation. Then install and paint all cut ends.Caulk as needed with a good grade of paintable caulk and apply finish coat.This gives you the most uniform final coat in my opinion.I have never been to impressed with the prefinished jobs I've seen where they try to touch up dings and match the caulk.

Rich

This is what I just did to a my addition.

 

[yardpro]

my neighbor used the factory painted hardie...

they used the color matched caulk

they still had to paint the whole house as the caulk and any touch ups "flashed"... they has a very different shine and were very noticeable.

 

[Rosco]

My house and garage are hardiplank. I spent a considerable amount of time caulking with very expensive caulk, and brush painted with high quality paint. It is darn near bulletproof, water and air tight, and provides a greater level of structure and soundproofing.

If you caulk every seam, including the lap joints, it is virtually impossible for bugs to get in.

 

[southalabama]

My office is in a heat island. Asphalt all around. It had old t-111 when I bought it.

We (dad, a helper and I) installed primed hardi plank with one coat and finish cost when installed.

This is way described by tick.

It's held up well seven years in and it's looking good. This fall gonna put metal on facia boards they are getting rough. I went with a light blue/gray color. I've been impressed with the stuff. It's not a one man job.

 

[Zogman]

What is the name of the caulk Roscoe??

 

[kbs2244]

I vote for the paint before install.

Pros with separate carpenter and painting subcontractors may do it after install.

But if it is an DIY job It is just easier to use a roller on a board between 2 sawhorses than to climb a ladder to do it after install.
Any edges, nails, etc. are just a quick brush job not a whole wall project.

 

[AP514]

Vinyl......is the CHAEPO way to go..... IMO..you get what you pay for.

Hardy is the Better Quality....I would prepaint then touch up after

 

[NorDel Garage]

I used Hardi on my shed. I primed both sides, and put two coats of paint . It has held up very well. I would use it again.

 

[Andybull]

I'm sold on a Hardie Plank type of cement board, but will be installing it in a reverse board and batten. No joints, or lap siding for me.

 

[Jackfre]

As the last phase of the house re-model has gotten under way and should be done by October we will be finishing the siding job soon. I used the Hardie Artisan Plank in Sailcloth color. It has been excellent and the guys like working with it. It is T&G on the ends so it lays flat. There are no nails in the skirt so that is not a problem.The only problem is that the overlap with the full rectangular dimension of the plank is so thick I had to use sub-trim to build out the finish trim so it would set correctly. That was a $urprise!

I am very pleased with the pre-painted material. Yes, you have to handle it carefully, but it comes with a 15 year warranty on the finish. The supplied touch-up paint takes care of blemishes.

 

[wnstwolf]

The caulk comes witht he hardi material ordered to match the color you chose. Believe Certainteed was my "Hardiplank" manufacturer whick supplied touch up paint and caulk..

 

[saceone]

here in Montreal we use Canexel
http://www.canexel.ca/home.php

I love that stuff. many colors/profiles to choose from and it's easy to install , nails are hidden and voila.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I used primed hardi plank. Caulked, then painted an exterior satin. I used Sherwin Williams. That is nice paint. Hardi plan takes paint super nice. I used a 6"
Roller. Fit the planks perfectly.


Is mike Holmes installing that stuff upside down? It looks like the drip edge is pointing up!

 

[clkimmel]

When I had my garage built I decided on Hardi siding. My builder had experience with it and would only use Sherwin-Williams Duration paint because he said it wouldn't peel. The painter sprayed after it was installed, 2 coats - 1 a mixture of paint and primer and then a finnish coat of paint. It held up well while I lived there.
My neighbor had her house re-sided with a Hardi like product around that time and her installer painted it but it did not hold up very well at all. It was peeling within a couple of years. Don't know if it was the type of paint or the painters that was the problem, but they were hacks as far as I am concerned.

 

[mo2872]

Hey Zog.....we've got Hardie plank on our cabin, been up for ten years and still looks "fresh" painted. We used the pre-primed, and painted after install. Good stuff. If you're DIY'ing the install, wear a mask!

P.S.-You still trailering that car everywhere you go?????????????

 

[Zogman]

Man O Man, I trailer the car to 1 show 1,000 miles away and the trailer queen legacy can't be shaken.

Thanks for all of the input, great info!!!

 

[mo2872]

LOL, some things were just meant to stick.