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fiber cement siding over rigid foam shea

Hagen | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 26, 2009 09:08am
I am planning to install fiber cement siding over rigid foam sheathing. This is the plan: 2×4 wall, 1/2 OSB sheathing, 2″ XPS sheathing, housewrap, and fiber cement siding. The question that I have and am trying to research an answer is, Is it necessary to use vertical furring over the 2″ XPS before installing fiber cement siding or can the siding be installed directly over the XPS? The siding will be primed and factory finished on all sides. Thanks.

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  1. DaveRicheson | May 26, 2009 09:36pm | #1

    Short answer,....yes you need the furring.

    F/C siding can be installed over rigid foam up to 1" according to Hardie. Over that,... weight and gravity combine to bend the fastners or pull them out.

    1. Hagen | May 26, 2009 11:58pm | #2

      My intent is to nail through the cement board siding, through the 2" of foam and into studs.  I am looking at about 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 in hot dipped galv nails.  The question then becomes am I asking for moisture problems if I don't use the furring strips.

      1. User avater
        talkingdog | May 27, 2009 01:54am | #3

        Around here, the conventional wisdom is that normal fasteners are not adequate to this task, as they will eventually bend or sag. Special strengthened screws are used.

      2. DaveRicheson | May 27, 2009 12:55pm | #4

        If you are using Hardie fiber cement siding, you are going over the 1" limit that Hardie places on their product over rigid foam.

        http://www.jameshardie.com/pdf/install/install_plank_north.pdf

        I haven't read the Certainteed installation  in some time, but I believe it to be the same.

        As far as the moisture problem I don't think that would be an issue if the foam board is taped and otherwise flashed correctly. There are several how to install f/c siding sites on the web. Just google fiber cement siding installation.

        The devil is in the detail, and no matter how good a product is, it will not overcome a improper installation. You also run the risk of negating any manufacturers warranty by installing it outside their parameters.

      3. Piffin | May 27, 2009 01:18pm | #5

        "The question then becomes am I asking for moisture problems if I don't use the furring strips."no, if you detail the insulation well, moisture is not the concern. The concern is that the nails may not hold up the weight of the siding at 2" suspension, and could bend over time, leading to a sloppy appearance, or at worst a catastrophic failure with human injury. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. splintergroupie | May 27, 2009 01:22pm | #6

          And wavy siding...

          1. Piffin | May 27, 2009 01:38pm | #7

            what I meant by sloppysun up there yet? 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          2. splintergroupie | May 28, 2009 02:09am | #8

            I was just finishing up some slate as dawn was breaking. It was fully unrepairable by the time the drillers showed up two hours later.Hell, we can sleep when we're dead, eh?

          3. Piffin | May 28, 2009 01:20pm | #9

            I figure to spend some time singing and dancing when I die - no more pain so I can dance - and it won't hurt the ears of anyone close by when I sing!;)Rest of the time I'll be in heaven's library 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

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