Installing fiber cement siding! DIY project. 

I used clear silicone sealant on this project for seams and any gaps.

I used clear silicone sealant for all the seams. Flashing may be better for it though.

@@thatslumlordlife Hardie recommends a 6" wide piece of flashing behind all butt joints

@@thatslumlordlife No caulk of butt, butts are now to be tight.

I can't really suggest one over the other due to it's going to come down to your budget, taste in looks, durability length of time you're wanting it to last and other stuff. Me personally I don't like the look of vinyl, it looks cheap to me, however I think it's material is very long lasting and it's cheap. I have vinyl on a duplex but I didn't install it. I see many people putting it on places and when up close I see a lot of cracks, melted areas and spots where it came unhooked. I see it more than other materials due to vinyl seems to be much more common due to price. When I see cement board or composite wood lap siding the place to me just looks better. Normally it's used in upper middle class homes and just gives that quality look. I've seen a couple places with cement boards where they have cracked from being hit? but over all I think they just look better. I'm going to remodel a place this summer and hoping to get to the siding too and plan on putting composite wood lap siding on it. I think it will be easier to cut and work with since it's wood composite and shouldn't get cracked if hit? Haven't had the crack issue though with cement siding myself. When the order came however there are many in the order that are cracked from shipping and have to work around using those for smaller areas. To me it makes me think the cement siding is more brittle than the composite wood siding is why i'm going to go with it next.

They are aluminum shank nails put in with the nail gun, they don't get covered. For the joints I use a clear drying sealant for all joints. Doesn't need painted. However if you do need to do any touch up painting, take a piece of the siding in and they will color match it for you. I'm new to RU-vid videos so hopefully I'll get better at adding more detail into what I'm doing...

I dont remember. I think i was doing about 2-3ft apart.

These ones are called gecko gauge and they are will worth the price of not needing another person to hold in place! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZUprTLmZ0m8.html

I'm not disagreeing that flashing would have been better! I'm just stating I used a clear sealant for the seams on this siding job. This was done almost 4 years ago.

TOM - that's my question. Shouldn't he be nailing into studs or can you get away with nailing into plywood?

only in studs.

The manufacturers call for 1.25” nail imbed. They also call for the head of the nail not to be driven into the product. Unless this guy has 1.25” OSB sheathing and his nail gun is so good he doesn’t have to finish them up with a hammer, he’s doing it wrong.

Most nail guns will have a adjuster to set debt of nail head. You don't need to use a finish hammer! lol

Also for many of you that are crying about nailing into studs and not osb, this building was an old gas station probably from 1930's or 40's and there isn't osb sheeting. They had used thick wood laps and nailed shingles to the side for siding. Even if it was osb you don't always have to hit studs depending on length of siding and spacing of nails. If you are not hitting studs you need to have nails within 12". They also make screws for this type of siding where you also do not need to hit studs.

Normally you need osb. This place was an old gas station and had wood planks on it for outer walls so i nailed everything to it (before osb was around). i'd put osb up if i was you so it has something sturdy behind it. Be prepared for the lumber/osb prices though. :(

@@thatslumlordlife thank you Sir! Yes OSB prices are out the roof like a lot of other lumber as well crazy crazy. Thanks again for your advice and for the great video!

I didnt put seams in row? They are stagered.

I sealed all the seams with clear silicone. (Called it caulk in video) Painting and flashing for sure would work better. I worked for a guy in high school (15 or so years ago lol) and this is how he had me do it then. :( I sealed it well so don't see water getting to the materials. It's been 2 years now since this video and it still looking great. I'll be doing another siding job this year on a remodel i'm doing and will use flashing on the joints though. Looks like it will be much better than sealing the seams.... haha :)

I didn't use the right blade but I would use a diamond blade since this is fiber cement siding.

I caulked the joints with clear sealant!

@@thatslumlordlife Still need a backer

@@mikew7561 bank will give me loans, the problem is finding properties that actually cashflow and my area doesnt have many multi unit properties. House and duplexes dont always cashflow.

Hitachi NV 65AH2, Siding Nailer. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rQv2ODQ2cok.html

Hitachi NV 65AH2, Siding Nailer. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rQv2ODQ2cok.html

All of the comments are saying you are! lol I clear caulked my gaps on this project.

Not too bad for a DIY'er!! :) I'll be doing another house this summer and using the same type of siding and will be using the joint backing instead of sealant on the seams. The sealant works good since I fill up the whole seam and it clear but I think the backing for it is better.

aluminum ringed shanked.

aluminum ringed shanked

These ones are called Gecko gauge. I think they were around $60. Make sure to get the right size for the boards you are using.

Find one that dries clear and you won't have to paint it afterwards. :) I like saying Caulk lol

Cock

I clear caulked all the seams is why I didn't paint it and it's fiber cement not wood composite. It's been about four years now and doing good. Still looks the same as when I put it up! :)

@@thatslumlordlife that's great! I only asked because I'm currently doing my house with the same stuff.

@@ExceptionalCarpetCare ill be putti g siding on a duplex i own at some point in the next year or two and will be using the partical board type that looks the same. Its easier to cut and isnt as brittal as in breaking but the paint seems to chip much easier. Ill probably be painti g the ends on it since its partical wood type stuff. This fiber cement siding ends cut smooth and didnt look like water would damage it even if i didnt caulk the seems. I mainly caulked it so it wouldnt run behind it. Its still best to give it a coat of paint on ends so for sure not arguing with anyone about it. Hopefully your project goes well. I think this type of looking siding looks great.

You have to give 3/8 inch space between each piece. Those gaps are what i was caulking.

Don't rent in the slums! :)

You have to get promoted somehow!! lol :)

Turtle Turtle!! :)

That SlumLord Life look the trim is not a level i am this job mean you a pro or only a noob

I use your mom's lazy eye to line things up!! Pro level. ;) Does it look level?

A couple hours of caulking and it really cramps up your hand.... I may end up checking into an electric caulking gun when I do it next... lol

I tried not to bring your mom into this but if you insist!! :P

Did I put them in upside down?

lol :)

Your mother doesn't complain! ;)