1. Introduction

Habitat for Humanity – St. Louis has decided to utilize James Hardie HardiPlank siding as the exterior siding choice for homes in some of the build projects. While this is a new product and one that is significantly different from the vinyl siding products Habitat has used in the past, the procedure for installing HardiPlank siding will be completed by volunteer labor. HardiPlank siding will provide the homeowner with a relatively maintenance-free house. Experience has shown us that volunteers like to side houses. The visible change that takes place very quickly with installing siding provides volunteers with a real sense of job satisfaction. On most Habitat projects the HardiPlank siding installation can be completed during 3-4 scheduled workdays: one siding preparation day, and two or three siding installation days.

2. Safety Issues

• Wear ear and eye protection when using power saws.
• Use a ladder that will reach the work. Move the ladder with your work and don't lean. Place ladders and scaffolding on solid footing and have spotters holding the bottom of the ladders.
• Don't bind the blade of any saw. When cutting long panels, the blade may bind and kick back toward the operator.
• Don't leave objects loose on a ladder or scaffolding. Keep your tools in your tool belt at all times.
• Use extra caution when on scaffolding and watch your footing at all times.
• Utility knives - keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Always retract blade when not in immediate use.
• Habitat requires that hard hats be worn if work is occurring overhead.
• The HardiPlank siding product contains Silica. Inhalation of respirable silica dust can cause possible health problems. When drilling, cutting, or abrading the product during installation or handling, work outdoors away from other volunteers where feasible, wear a dust mask, and warn others in the area of the hazard this product represents.

3. Prior tasks to have been completed before starting

• Rough framing complete (overhangs and gable ends)
• Windows and doors installed
• Blue Board insulation installed on exterior of house and seams taped with Tyvek tape
• Brick installed or at least marked out as to the location of where it will be installed if applicable

4. Recommended Staff/Crew Assignments

On the Siding Preparation workday the crew should consist of at least 2-3 experienced siding crew leaders. (May be done during the week by Wednesday Crew if possible). An experienced crew can normally prepare a house for siding during one workday. If more crews are available on the preparation day, they may also begin the regular siding installation. NOTE: Make sure to educate the volunteers on the proper way to nail HardiPlank siding as the procedure is different from that used with vinyl siding materials.

It is suggested that approximately 15 volunteers, including 4 crew leaders, be recruited for Siding. Divide the crews up by distributing the experience level among the crew leaders. Each crew should be assigned to work on a particular side of the house until that section of the house is completely finished, with the exception of one crew who should do the majority of the soffit work and aluminum fascia for continuity sake.

5. Order/Tasks to be completed By Whom?

6. Tools/Equipment list

Tools & Equipment Needed at Each Site:

• Twelve-Gauge Drop Cords (50'-100' as needed for power at site)
• Heavy-duty Power Strips
• Circular Saw ( 7¼")
• HardiBlade Carbide-tip Saw Blade (7 ¼")
• Cordless Drill
• Extension Ladders (16' Minimum)
• Step Ladders (8')
• Step Ladders (6')
• Siding Saw Table
• Metal Scaffolding with Walk Boards and/or
• Ladder jacks with Walk Boards
• Saw Horses

Tools Each Crew Leader Will Need:

• 30' Measuring Tape
• 4' Level
• Framing Square
• Chalk Line
• Caulking Gun

Tools Each Crew Member Will Need:

• Hammer (16 oz. Min.)
• Nail Apron
• Measuring Tape (16' Min.)
• Square (Speed or Combination)
• 2 Pencils
• Safety Glasses
• Work Gloves
• Dust Mask
• Ear Protection
• Hard Hats (if work is going on overhead)

7. Material List

Siding

• Siding Panels (12' in length)
• Lath Starter Strip (10'-0" in length – ¼" thickness)
• 1"x4" HardiTrim boards (10'-0" in length)
• Gable vent(s)

Fasteners

• Siding Nails (1½" to 2" galvanized nails -- similar to roofing nails)
• 16d Common Nails (for misc. blocking)
• Siding Screws (2½" #8 corrosion-resistant screws)

Miscellaneous

• Chalk
• Caulking
• Scrap Blue Board
• Scrap 2x lumber

8. Quality Checkpoints

____ Lath starter strip level and straight (start with lowest corner on building)

____ Corner trim boards installed straight and plumb

____ Ladders / ladder jacks securely braced

____ Siding panels level and nailed snug (⅛" space used on vinyl siding is not appropriate for HardiPlank siding)

____ HardiTrim pieces at top of walls properly installed

____ All gaps at corners, doors, seams and windows properly caulked

____ All materials restacked, site cleaned up, tools accounted for and put away

9. Construction Drawings and Text

NOTE: The following drawings, diagrams, and text are to be used on the job site when a question arises as to methods and procedures associated with the task. The notes on the drawings have been geared toward use as a quick reference. If a more in-depth explanation is needed, please read the text description. But most importantly, consult your Habitat Site Supervisor and Construction Manager for advice as needed.

This section is organized in one order of installation. Often the number of skilled siding crew leaders and available ladders and ladder jacks may facilitate a different order; i.e. working on only one side of the house at a time. Keep in mind that when the house is completed, the volunteers are gone, and the family moves in, the house’s exterior is an enduring representation of Habitat to all who pass and see it. Take the time to do the work correctly and well.

1.Layout / Installing Starter Strip

To ensure that the siding is level and even around the house, a ¼" thick lath starter strip must be properly installed. The first step is to establish the low point on the house. This may have been marked when the sill plate was installed. If not, a transit is used to establish the low point. The bottom edge of the lath starter strip should be flush with the top of the masonry foundation wall. Starting from the low point, use the transit to mark lines at the same level at two or more points along the wall. Connect the points by striking a chalk line. Establish additional points at all house corners, on both sides of any door openings, and in the middle of any long walls. Layout for the lath starter strip may also be done by measuring down from the bottom of the truss overhang at the low point of the house and using this measurement all along the house to establish the points for snapping a chalk line for the lath starter strip location. However, the use of the transit is preferred. In order to keep the HardiPlank siding panels straight and level, chalk additional reference lines around the house just below and just above the window openings. Determine the initial points for these lines by measuring up from the top of the lath starter strip.

Beginning approximately 4" from any house corner and 2" from each side of a door opening, attach the lath starter strip to the house with 2" galvanized siding nails every 16". Continue until the strip extends around the entire perimeter of the house. Just like when nailing the HardiPlank siding panels, the lath starter strip should be nailed snug.

2. Installing Soffit and Fascia

Soffit at Eaves

With the use of HardiPlank siding, Habitat for Humanity – St. Louis will continue to install vinyl soffit panels. Please follow the soffit and fascia instructions in the construction manual chapter on vinyl siding installation (Chapter 16).

3.Installing HardiTrim Corners

The HardiTrim corners will consist of two trim boards fastened at the corners of the house with an overlap joint that is positioned so that it is hidden from the most prominent view. Use a 4' level to ensure the corner pieces are installed plumb and straight. Handle the trim pieces very carefully as they easily break when dropped or bent.

Fasten the corner trim pieces to each inside and outside corner of the house with 2½" corrosion-resistant screws. Position screws no closer than ¾" from the side edges of the trim board, and no closer than 1" from the ends. Space fasteners a maximum of 16" on center. Drilling a countersink hole with a ¼" drill bit is recommended prior to installing screws. Keep the corner pieces square and plumb when attaching them with the screws. Butt the top of the trim board tight to the already installed soffit. (Leave a ½" gap between the top of the trim board and the bottom chord of the truss for the soffit if installing before doing overhangs.) The corner pieces should extend 1¼" below the lath starter strip. To join two pieces of corner trim board for long runs, cut both pieces at a 45-degree angle to create an overlapping joint to join the two ends together to create a smooth transition between the two pieces.

4. Installing HardiPlank Panels

Handling The HardiPlank Panels

Damaging the HardiPlank panels is possible if they are not handled properly. Make sure the panels are moved with the edge of the planks facing perpendicular to the ground. Do not handle the panels with the edges parallel to the ground as the panels will bend and possibly break.

Laying-Out Panels

Begin the layout of the first course of HardiPlank siding at the end of the far left wall and nail to the framing studs. The following diagram illustrates the proper layout sequence:

1. Install the ¼ " lath strip to ensure consistent plank angle.
2. Begin the first course at the end of the far left wall and nail to studs.
3. The second course begins at the next stud (16" or 24") to the right.
4. The third course begins by moving to the next right stud (16" or 24") from the second course.
5. The fourth course begins by moving to the next right stud (16" or 24") from the third course.
6. The fifth course moves back to the first stud and the sequence continues.

HardiPlank lap siding is installed by fastening the panels every 16" at stud locations. Butt the end of the first panel against the corner trim board leaving up to a 1/8" gap at the edge. This edge should be caulked after completing the siding installation for that wall. The first run of siding should overlap the ¼" lath strip by no more than 1¼". Nail the panels at the top edge of the panel no less than ¾" but no more than 1" from the edge of the panel to ensure the nail is hidden by the overlap from the next run. Nail the panel at the ends no closer than ⅜" from the edge of the panel. The next panel should be butted up with moderate contact to the adjacent panel.

To provide the proper vertical overlap spacing between runs of siding panels, one of two methods are recommended. First, plastic spacing clips can be installed every 6 to 8 feet. These clips have an extended edge that catch the edge of the siding panels to provide proper overlap spacing, and a breakaway tab for removing the tab after panel installation. Once three to four rows of panels are installed, striking the clips at the protruding tab will break the clip off, leaving the panels properly spaced. Second, a pencil mark or chalk line can be placed 1¼" down from the top of the panel. Line up the overlapping panel row to this mark and attach it to the wall. This method will require multiple volunteers to handle the panels and is more time consuming; however, there can be times when plastic spacing clips are not available. With either spacing method, a 4' level should be used to check that a panel run is level.

Cutting Panels

HardiPlank siding should be cut with a circular saw with the HardiBlade carbide tip blade installed. Use a pencil and speed square to make a mark on the panels. Cut the panels with the circular saw. It is absolutely essential that the people performing the sawing of the HardiPlank siding use dust masks to prevent inhalation of the dust from the saw cut. Inhalation of the silica dust can cause possible health problems. When drilling, cutting, or abrading the product during installation or handling, work outdoors away from other volunteers where feasible, wear a dust mask, and warn others in the area of the hazard this product represents.

A cut piece of a HardiPlank siding panel should be installed with the cut edge butted up to the HardiTrim board at a corner, door or window. Never butt a cut edge against a factory edge of a panel. Caulk the gap between the panels and the HardiTrim boards to conceal the cut edge from view.

Nailing Panels

Attach panels to the exterior walls of the house with 2" galvanized siding nails. Nail the panels at the top edge of the panel no less than ¾" but no more than 1" from the edge of the panel so that the nail is hidden by the overlap from the next run of siding. Nail the panel at the ends no closer than ⅜" from the edge of the panel.

Be sure to drive the nails into a wall stud. Marking the stud locations on the blue board prior to siding installation is recommended. Nails should be driven into the siding so that they fit snug against the siding material. However, avoid driving the nails into the siding material such that they dent the exterior surface of the siding panels. Figure A below illustrates the proper nailing of HardiPlank siding panels.

Check the installation of the first run of panels using a 4' level. Check every couple of runs to ensure the panels are being installed level.

Installing Panels at Windows and Doors

Notch siding panels to fit around the bottom of each window opening. (Avoid having butt joints near openings.) To layout the notch: measure the distances from the last piece of siding to the opening, measure the width of the opening and the depth of the notch, then transfer these measurements to a piece of siding, and make the necessary cuts. Use the same process to measure at the tops of windows and doors to layout the notches. Use HardiTrim trim boards to finish the siding around doors and windows.

Installing Gable Vents

The gable vent is flush mounted in the center of the gable and just low enough so that it is at least 6" away from the ladder overhang. No additional blocking is necessary. The gable vents may come with a pre-built J-Mold wrap that is removed during siding and replaced after the siding panels are in place. This “gable vent” is typically only ornamental, so there’s no need to cut through the sheathing behind it.

Installing HardiPlank Siding Panels on Gable Walls

Follow instructions for installing HardiPlank panels on sidewalls until you reach the gable.

Siding panels are laid out and cut the same way as side walls, except you must cut the ends that fit against the gable overhang on the same angle as the roof pitch. Use scrap pieces of siding to mark for these cuts. Set a short piece of siding on top of the last piece of siding that has been installed and move it toward the gable overhang until the top edge of the siding touches the inside edge of the overhang. Lay another scrap piece of siding, parallel to the overhang, and mark along the edge where it crosses the first short siding panel. Cut the angle on the horizontal piece of siding and use this piece as a pattern for marking the other pieces to be cut.

The last piece of siding, at the top of the gable wall, will be cut at an angle on both ends, forming a small triangle. Fasten this piece to the wall by nailing at least ¾" from the top edge of the panel. The nails will be covered by the HardiTrim trim pieces that are installed around the perimeter edges of the house.

Installing Accessory Pieces

Accessory pieces of HardiTrim will need to be installed at each place where an exterior outlet or light fixture will be installed. A 1"x8" trim piece is simply cut to the proper length and nailed in place at the specific locations shown on the building elevations. In reality, these trim pieces are often installed retroactively at the places where the electricians install their wire through the wall. It is just a matter of cutting them out later.

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Page last updated Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 6:40:01 PM