Thursday, April 2, 2009

Hardie siding estimates

There are many variables that come into play when getting an estimate for having hardie siding installed on your house. Because of all these variables, receiving an accurate estimate over the phone usually is not going to happen. A contractor should be able to give you a rough estimate, but in order to tell you exactly more or less what you're hardie siding cost will be, they need to come out and physically inspect your house, or view it through pictures.

Some of the variables that you will need to disclose to your contractor is, the outer square footage of each wall of your house. They will also want to know how many stories your home is. They will also want to know the highest peak or point of your home from the ground.

Some other variables that come into play when getting an estimate for your Hardie siding cost is how many doors and windows you have in your home. Different kinds of Hardie siding will give you a different costs and materials, and labor. Most contractors will give you a labor costs, and then factor in the cost of material afterwards. Remember an estimate is only an estimate, you may incur unforeseen costs like damage that was under the surface of your original siding, special screws or nails you may have to use, and delivery fees for either the contractor or the company you are purchasing the Hardie siding from.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Hardie Board

Hardy board, is another product made by James Hardie. Unlike Hardie siding, Hardy board can be used in the bathroom on the walls, before hanging tile. It can also be used as a subfloor before tile is laid over it. Hardy board comes in 4x4 sheets, 4 x 8 sheets, and 3 x 5 sheets to better suit the needs that you need it for.

Hardy board also comes in either half inch thickness or in quarter inch thickness. When you are using it on the walls that is a good idea to use 1/2 inch Hardy board. Half-inch is better because it is the same thickness as the drywall that is used therefore making a smooth transition from Hardy board to drywall. A half-inch on the walls does not need any backing behind it, they can hang directly on the studs.

When using Hardy board as a subfloor before putting down stonework pile, it is important that you have a least a three-quarter inch plywood subfloor underneath that. It is important that you use this pic of an underlayment under the Hardy board to keep the finished product from flexing and causing your tile to crack. It is also required that you float and tape the seams of the Hardy board. It is recommended that you use a 2 inch fiberglass mesh tape and a multipurpose thinset.

The advantages of Hardie Siding

Throughout the years, there has been many different ways devised to cover the exterior of homes. From stone to wood, to stucco and siding. There are faults in every siding choice that you make. Is one siding product superior to all others? Not to say that hardie siding a brand of fiber cement siding is perfect, but it's pros much outweigh the cons making it a great choice for any homeowner to put on their home.

One of fiber cement sidings top competitors is Vinyl siding. Vinyl however becomes brittle over time, and after a few years can crack a breakaway with the slightest touch. Aluminum siding looks nice as long as it is painted up well, otherwise it will start to corrode and look ugly very quickly. Corrugated siding also looks nice when is new but rust way too easily in any climate that is moist or along the coast. Wood siding has been one of the most common sidings used to cover homes over the last century. One main factor against woo is that Wood siding really needs a lot of attention and routine maintenance to keep it looking nice.

If you're looking for a siding that will last for years to come, you really should give fiber cement siding a shot. The brand of siding by James Hardie comes with a 50 year guarantee that it will not corrode, or whither away. Once you put hardie siding up, correctly, is there to stay and will look good for years to come. Hardie siding is impervious to water, takes paint really well, and it comes pre-primed. It is hard to find any other exterior covering for your home in the same price range, that will do all the things the hardi siding will do.

Fiber cement board is not perfect and like any other siding has its faults. Installation is key to the longevity of this product. Improper installation can spell out disaster in even a small wind or rain storm. Do not cut corners, follow directions and your siding will last the life of your home.