Questions about installing HardieSiding Lap Siding

[burger]

Hey!

There are 150 planks of HardieSiding waiting for me to pick them up from Home Depot. It'll be a few weeks before I get to install them, so now's a good time to figure out what tools I'll need to install them.

I plan to borrow an air nailer to attach the siding. What size nails do I need to use?

Has anyone used these tools or care to comment on something that's not on my list?


Cutters:

Malco Shears

Bosch 7-1/4 Circular Saw Blade

Hitachi Blade for Miter Saw


Gauges:

SoloSider Adjustable Gauge

Malco Clip & Gauge

Malco Clips


I'm thinking that if I use the adjustable siding gauge correctly, I should be able to get my siding to line up so that all of my cuts will be verticle cuts that can be done on the miter saw or with a circular saw.


Thanks in advance for any advice,
Ed

 

[PAToyota]

Hardie lap siding installation instructions: http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/pdf/hardiplankinstall.pdf

 

[burger]

Thanks for the link, but I've already read through that PDF and still have questions. They call out specific nail sizes for hand nailing, but no sizes for an air nailer... the PDF suggests consulting local codes.


EDIT: On second read, I am wrong. It's the same nail type for hand or air nailing.

Hardie lap siding installation instructions: http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/pdf/hardiplankinstall.pdf

 

[JMURiz]

I'd use the shears, less to no dust! If you use a blade be sure to wear a mask when cutting, you don't want glass shards invading your lungs (no way to get that stuff out!).

 

[ron in sc]

The crew that installed our Hardie Siding used air nail guns that used stainless steel nails that were in a circular coil configuraton.

 

[PAToyota]

From using it on my shop, they say that you can use a carbide blade in a circular saw. But after burning through two of them, I picked up a diamond blade and finished the job with that... Should have just started with that.

For fastening, I used stainless steel deck screws. Have held up nicely for ten years. I'd be careful with a pneumatic nailer (not saying it can't be done, though) as the boards are brittle and I could see the possibility of cracking/breaking them without care.

And I used this clip: Labor Saver

But to each his own preference...

 

[ScottC]

I just finished installing roughly the same amount of Hardi siding and panels by myself. I used 6d galvanized ringshank nails in a framing gun. The siding is pretty tough material and the nails don't cause a problem as long as you nail perpendicular to the "board". The nailgun was critical for me to free up my other hand for holding the board, framing level, etc. To maintain a consistent overlap, I made a simple jig that laps under the lower board and provides support for the board you're installing.

Another trick when putting up a full 12' piece by yourself is handnailing one nail slightly higher than your overlap (so it's ultimately hidden) as a rest for one end and then use your jig to nail the other end. Then drop the free end down to it's final position and nail.

All this is kinda hard to describe without pics, but hope it helps...

 

[mulepackin]

God, I miss Colorlock siding.

 

[IDASHO]

The crew that installed our Hardie Siding used air nail guns that used stainless steel nails that were in a circular coil configuraton.

Thats what most installers use around here..... coil roofing nails with a nail gun. Only difference, is that they are galvanized, not stainless.

 

[arbee]

I used the Malco FCG2 from your link above and they worked great. I used a framing nailer and 8p ring shank galvanized nails. I set the nailer to always leave the nails proud and set them snug with a hammer. This took extra time but I couldn't "trust" the framing nailer to get it right consistently. I would use the clips for 5 or so courses and then I'd measure off the bottom run to true it up again. I cut mine with the special circular saw blade and wore goggles and a dusk mask.

 

[VDubJoe]

Did my 40 x 60' x 14 garage. Used labor saver clips worked great.. www.thelaborsaver.com/ Used a dewalt framing nailer with ring shank nails from Mcfee. Made for siding. Never had a problem. Cut with a hardi blade from Lowes. A lot of dust.

Joe

 

[ersatzs2]

I believe the directions also specify that you should leave a small gap where the strips **** against each other, and also where they **** against the corner cap. My guys did it and it looks fine. The builders in the next yard did not do it and during the summer the pieces buckled slightly with heat expansion.