I live in a townhouse community and when they were selling the concept of using Hardie board they re-did 4 homes and they were great. Now they're installing the rest and it looks awful! You can see nails everywhere. They were countersinking the nails for the sample units, but now they can't? Can you install hardie board without the nails showing? THANK YOU!
2006-08-25 05:13:50 · 10 answers · asked by Sidoney 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You guys have all been wonderful. Iif I might clarify: we're using horizontal lap siding, looking at the top piece, the installers have nailed two nails an inch from the top and then two more about 1/2 from the bottom. Obviously with all pieces but the top piece you can't see the two top nails, but the bottom two are truly an eysore. And Tim - or most of you who suspect foul play my answer is YES! but I can't figure out what. The spec homes didn't belong the the Board but the Board wanted this project done in a major way. Also, Tim I am one of the few that go to ALL HOA meetings, and feeling a bit like Chicken Little with my "Sky is Falling" scenario that has come true at every juncture. Now I'm just kind of communicationg for the community at large. I truly suspect that someones Brother either works for the contractor, or someone has pics of our Board in an orgy. BTW This is not bad on Hardie;It is a beaut. solution when installed right. would face nailing negate our warranty?
2006-08-26 01:47:55 · update #1
1 more little thing...in re-reading my add'l details it appears that I'm complaining about two nails total. They have installed four nails on each piece:two at the top that are covered by the piece on top (cool, I'm ok w/that) and then on EVERY piece two at the bottom, so every piece of wood has two nail holes at the bottom. They aren't caulking; they still have to paint mine, but even the ones they've already painted look like sh**t. Thank you all so much for your assistance; I realize that I can get this info on the Hardie website, or at Home depot. The problem is, I don't really understand it until you guys walked me through this. This is just my complaint at the hardie board level, I haven't even talked about power washing prior to installing things, putting cleats so they can manipulate the roof and then sending our roof guy after they power wash the roof. Don't get me started on the stucco! (or paint for that matter!) Thanks you again!!! I really appreciate you putting up w/me
2006-08-26 11:20:27 · update #2
First of all, the nails shouldn't show if the siding is installed correctly on a building without structural deformities or defects. Secondly, if the structure or the sheathing beneath the siding was not properly installed, then the siding was probably not staying flat, so they decided to nail at the bottom of the pieces of siding. I have installed several different types of siding, and we usually never had nails showing. This is blind nailing. There is also face nailing where the nails show. I dont' think they were countersinking the nails earlier though. If they were, that's not proper installation and voids the warranty. It also increases the likelihood that the siding will separate from the side of the house. I like James Hardie products in general, though. Better than masonite.
The problem with being in a townhouse community is these are "spec houses". They are built quickly and cheaply to someone's specificaltions. That results in cosmetic/structural irregularities. Most spec houses are not the best quality work, and some are downright laughable, laughable since I don't live in them or I would be angry too.
So you can definitely install hardie board without the nails showing. But what type of siding is it? There are many different types. The installers might also be cheap or dum-dums and not know what the heck they are doing or just not care; "It looks good from my house". Sorry for your asthetic townhouse woes.
Your warranty should probably be okay for face nailing. It mignt be in trouble for any other number of various reasons. When looking at the wall, (front or back or side of building doesn't matter) how many nails are actually visible? Are you talking a couple here and there, or dozens and dozens everywhere? Is this the finished product or are they still going to caulk and paint the wall? Do you have a picture of the wall? Again sorry for your headaches of home ownership.
2006-08-25 05:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by doc_jhholliday 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hardie Board Screws
2016-11-09 21:48:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing we need to address is that the manufacturer of Hardieboard sets specific instructions on how to use and install their product. Look at this website for more details. http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner.htm
Allow me to clear up some other False statements made about this material.
James Hardie does NOT RECOMEND using SCREWS of any kind.
There are NO COLORED NAILS that this manufacture recomends.
James Hardie the maker of Hardie board states. In all of its instruction sheets that are FREE at most lunber yards, such as HOME DEPOT or LOWES that you SHOULD NOT counter sink the nails or it will WEAKEN the product. More importantly your told to use a specific nail of a certain length and that the shank should be smooth.
On a seperate matter what you experienced on the 1st 4 town homes. Could it be that that those 1st 4 town homes belonged to the HOA (Home Owners Association) Board Members. There for resulting in there homes (or should i say their investments) to look better than yours or the other twn homes in question.
Often times when board members of an HOA Decide to use money's to renovate projects in their neighborhood they get better Quality of work allow me to give you some examples.
Lawn Care Maintance
Roofing
Siding
Painting
Exterior Lighting
Or to certain contractor due to their family relations to someone on the board.
The only way to change this is to go to your HOA meetings and vote or get a petition to re elect the board members who fight for all the neighborhood.
Signed Tim
2006-08-25 06:36:02 · answer #3 · answered by ssshoebox67 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The fasteners - nails or screws - should be installed within the overlapping region of the Hardie board that will be placed above the one being installed. (Always installed from bottom to top of the wall.)
Two panels should have at least 1/2" of overlapping coverage - that is where the fasteners should be installed.
< www.jameshardie.com > has full instructions on how to use their products.
Aug 26.
You should contact another installer of Hardie siding to get an independent opinion, in writing, as to proper installation and what he/she would charge to remove the nails and fill with caulk, or countersink and fill the nail heads.
I would write a letter to the HOA, saying that the installation was done improperly (visible nailheads) and as a result it degrades the appearance and value of your home. I would demand that they respond to your letter within 2 weeks as to how they are going to repair the improper damage. Since the HOA contracted the siding job, they are responsible.
Then tell the HOA to repair the damage to your unit, or your lawyer has advised you to take legal action to recover your damages.
2006-08-25 05:31:16 · answer #4 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
when dealing with siding you never want your nails showing, they didnt countersink the nails, i would hope, but nailed in the aria they were supposed to, the top two inches that get covered by the next peice. if they are face nailing your house, i would complain. having handled hardie plank myself it does look good when applied correctly. a few face nails are ok, there are some spots that can get kinda rough, but not every nail
2006-08-25 09:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by lheitjan_01 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If it is lap siding it is best to nail it at the top of each row so the next row covers the nail, then the nails don't show
2006-08-25 15:08:53 · answer #6 · answered by tim r 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they make nails with colored heads so they will not be to obvious. also hardie board is not wood but a powdered cement compound, the best way to attach this to an existing structure is with screws and pre drill the holes so the "board" will not crack.
2006-08-25 05:29:58 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I'm not sure
2016-07-27 11:29:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should of used SCREWS!! IDIOTS! Wood expands and contracts thus the nails do not.Have your ever heard of a drywall nailer?
2006-08-25 05:23:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Well, it depends..
2016-08-23 05:18:44 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋