What is Hardie panel?

Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality
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Hardie board is a special siding material that uses cement fibers to create a more durable and attractive product. Cement is combined with sand, water and cellulose wood fibers to create a material particularly suited to protect home exteriors. Hardie board is an innovative product, but it's not new or unproven.



Considering this, how much does a 4x8 sheet of Hardie board cost?

The Cost. Hardie board siding runs about $0.70 to $5.25 per square foot. This could lead to a total cost of anywhere from $4,700 to $13,300.

Secondly, is Hardie panel waterproof? Hardie Board is the best known brand of cement board siding, which is often called fiber cement. All fiber cement products are waterproof and designed to hold up in extremely strong rain, winds, hail and salt air. Hardie Board is also extremely fire resistant.

Similarly, what is Hardie board used for?

HardieBacker cement board is a tile underlayment made for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. This cement-based backer board, made of 90% Portland cement and sand, resists damage from moisture, provides excellent tile adhesion, and is formulated with MoldBlock Technology to protect the board from mold growth.

Is Hardie board expensive?

Cost. There is no doubt about it, the advantages of hardie board come with a cost. Vinyl siding is far less expensive, both in terms of the product itself and labor costs to install it.

39 Related Question Answers Found

How often does Hardie board need to be painted?

On average, a high quality, 100-percent acrylic exterior house paint should last anywhere from five to 15 years on fiber cement that's properly primed at the factory, as long as the paint was applied correctly and there hasn't been any unusual damage to the home.

Does fiber cement siding increase home value?

Fiber Cement Sliding is a Value Raise
One way to instantly increase your home's value is to add fiber cement siding. Adding fiber cement siding to your home adds to the curb side appeal, as well as keeping a lid on energy costs.

Is Hardie board more expensive than brick?

At face value, fiber-cement siding appears to cost less than brick. When maintenance and painting are factored into construction costs, however, brick becomes a much better value for homeowners and builders. The same cannot be said of wood and fiber- cement siding.

Does Hardie board increase value of home?


James Hardie siding will not only give your home a whole new look and feel; it will also significantly increase its value, as it has consistently been ranked one of the top projects with the highest return on investment by Remodeler Magazine's Cost vs. Value report.

Does Hardie board need to be painted?

Painting: Hardie board siding is known to retain paint longer than wood. Because it is moisture-resistant, it never swells or rots so the paint never peels, chips or cracks. It also comes in a variety of pre-painted colors from which to choose, allowing you to select the proper shade without lifting a finger.

Does Hardie board contain asbestos?

Since 1987, Hardie products have not contained asbestos; the fiber replacement is organic wood pulp. James Hardie building products installed before 1985 may contain asbestos.

How much does Hardie board installation cost?

On average Hardie board siding costs $10 per square foot.
For a 1,200 square foot exterior wall it would cost around $12,000 to install. However, it may be the last siding you install on the home in your lifetime, so it's a smart choice for nearly any homeowner.

Can you pressure wash hardiplank?

You can achieve that same sparkle on your home's siding by cleaning it once or twice a year. Don't use a high-pressure power washer to get the job done, as it turns out a low-pressure hose and a soft medium bristle (nonmetal) brush is the best way to remove dirt and debris from James Hardie® siding and trim.

Which side of Hardie board goes out?


Cement board has a smooth side and a rough side. Face the rough side out if you will be using thin-set mortar adhesive to install the tile but the smooth side out if you will be using latex mastic.

Can you use Hardie board on shower walls?

Cement Board and a Sheet Membrane
Kerdi can also be installed directly over standard drywall in a shower because, when installed correctly, it creates a continuous waterproof barrier.

Can Hardie board be used outside?

HardieBacker®500 Cement Board may also be used in exterior wall applications as a backer board for exterior tile, slate, marble, stone, thin brick and manufactured stone in any type of construction under the 2009 IBC, and in buildings constructed under the 2009 IRC.

Does Hardie board fade?

James Hardie fiber cement provides a 15-year warranty against chipping and peeling on their pre-finished product. However, fading will occur over time whether you choose the primed version or the pre-painted version, so you will eventually need to repaint your fiber cement siding.

Is Hardie board fireproof?

Yes, HardieBacker® 1/4" Cement Board is deemed noncombustible when tested to ASTM E 136 and can be used in conjunction with other noncombustible materials around a fireplace. This does not mean that clearances to combustible building materials can be reduced by using HardieBacker 1/4".

Can cement board be used below grade?


Can USG Durock® Brand Cement Boards be used on the interior and exterior of buildings? Yes. They can also be used in below-grade applications such as basements. Below grade in this application does not include direct ground-contact applications.

Does cement board need to be waterproofed?

“A waterproof membrane or vapor retarder membrane must be specified to prevent moisture intrusion and protect adjacent building materials.” ~B412 Bathtub or shower with prefabricated receptor. Cement board or Fiber-cement board. Consult local building code for moisture barrier requirements.”

Do you need to seal Hardibacker before tiling?

To Seal or Not To Seal
Contrary to popular thought, tile and grout are not waterproof, and some moisture will penetrate even if sealant is used. If you decide to go this route, no sealant will need to be applied on top of the backerboard, as this could trap moisture between the two layers of waterproofing.