How To Flash Fiber Cement 4x8 Siding Panels

Fiber cement siding tolerances and gaps.

How to flash fiber cement 4x8 siding panels. Most panel siding is exterior grade plywood either 1 2 or 5 8 inch thick or some hardboard such as cement fiber. Most fiber cement manufacturers make mounting blocks for lights electrical receptacles a c lines pvc venting etc. Drive the nails to be just flush with the surface of the panel but not so deep that the nails dimple the panel surface. Place all nails 3 8 inch from the hardiepanel edge and at least 2 inches from any corner.

Jaime prefers to use the vinyl mounting blocks typically used with vinyl siding. Install flashing at all end joints where two pieces of siding butt together. Thanks for the great advice. The allura fiber cement siding should be cut and installed around the trim block leaving a 1 8 gap at the bottom and sides and a 1 4 gap at the top.

Install a starter strip over the top of the z flashing and the trim block when required to shim gap. Apply caulk to the joint before and after installing the siding. I am going to install james hardie 4 x 8 fiber cement panels on the exterior parapet walls of my garage. Leave a small gap at butt joints and fill.

When installing fiber cement siding always leave a gap at the ends of each length of siding. Fiber cement siding can be nailed by hand or with a pneumatic nailer. Nails should penetrate through the sheathing and at least 1 into studs. Do you have any suggestions for flashing a four foot vertical seam.

Lighting and electrical outlets install a piece of z flashing over the top of the trim block. When installing fiber cement siding be sure to leave at least clear space between the siding and the flashing vertical siding should be installed and attached to the structural framing when a non structural sheathing gypsum board or foam type sheathing are used. Fasten the panels to the sub structure with a pneumatic nailer and corrosion resistant nails. Be sure the flashing overlaps the siding course below.

It can also be attached using corrosion resistant screws. They re cheaper and easy to install and you can cut the proper size hole in a plastic mounting block with a utility knife or a snips.