Replies

1. 
   mike_guertin | Oct 11, 2003 04:44pm | #1

   If you happen to be in the Baltimore area around October 23 - 25 you should stop at the Remodelers Show. I'll be doing a whole demo on installing hardie plank.

   In a nutshell: 

   blind nailiing is prefered to face nailing. 

   1 1/4" galvanized roofing nails are fine.

   2" galvanized siding nails (.089 shank ribbed) but good luck getting them through the siding....

   2" (6d) galvanized siding nails like those from used in the NV 56.

   No real need for ring shank or ribbed nails.

   Note that if your studs are greater than 16" OC then you need to face nail the siding.

   Since the nail heads are exposed in face nail applications (don't countersink or they may tear-through like drywall) then definately use Hot Dipped nails only.  What I find is that EG nails are OK when blind nailed since the nails see little water. BUT in face nail applications where water may get to the head; the alkalide nature of Hardie siding will attack the metal more agressively and you'll need the HD coating. 

   Check out the James Hardie website.  Full instructions and specs on nails.  http://www.jameshardie.com/builder/installation/default.php

   I wouldn't bother with spiral, ring shank or other deformed nails unless you are right on the ocean.  And stainless is a great idea but not necessary really.

   Hope this helps.

   Mike Guertin

1. 
   ikor | Oct 11, 2003 05:25pm | #2

   Thanks, Mike! Unfortunately, I'm in Fl. and a trip to Baltimore is not in the cards for me anytime soon...I'd really like to see your demo.

   We get some wind ocassionally (I'm not worried about what a hurricane would do...siding is the least of my worries then! ha!) but we do get a lot of rain, and much of it during thunderstorms with some wind. I will definitely blind nail, and am not near the ocean, so salt corrosion is not an issue (90 miles away). No one I can find here carries any of the  correct sized collated siding nails in stock, so I am going to have to special order. Since that is the case, and this is my own home, I thought I would err on the side of caution! Studs are 16" OC, and I will need to use some trim as well.

   The info on this gun says "1 1/2 - 2 1/2 in. x .90 - 99" nails.

1. 
   mike_guertin | Oct 11, 2003 08:04pm | #3

   I have the Hitachi 65: it accepts both wire and plastic collated nails.  If you are ordering nails, I'd recommend the plastic collated ones.  May cost a little more but the galv coating is better.  And since you are in FL - the humidity is an issue and like you say - thunderstorms.

   My inlaws live in FL and my mother is a snowbird so I'm there quite regularly - quite a different climate from anywhere else in the US.

   Are you using the HardiTrim products?  If so, even though the specs call for an overkill nailing schedule, try using a 15 ga. trim nailer and putty over the heads.  One of the Hardie installation specialists says it's OK despite the instructions stating otherwise.  Trouble with instructions is you'll have loads of 6d nail heads showing. 

   mg

1. 
   ikor | Oct 12, 2003 04:44pm | #4

   Mike;

   Yes, I would prefer plastic collation...have checked the Maze site / online store (I trust their hot dip galvanized) and don't see anything except a pic on the collated siding nails...wire collation. Do you have a suggestion for hot dipped plastic collated, say 2in. x .95 like Maze's #CLWHD115? Brand? etc. Most everything I can find is only electrogalvanized, and a few extra bucks for better nails is preferable for me to finding that EG stuff is rusting away under the siding! SS nails are more than I want to spend, and..as you pointed out...really major overkill this far from the ocean. (BTW, "stainless" steel is NOT "rustproof"...just more rust resistant than others, and aluminum, while it does not "rust" can, and will, corrode under certain conditions. Nothing's perfect!)

   I have a Senco 15 ga. trim gun I was planning to use for the Harditrim per your suggestion, and have been told by several local builders that it works just fine.

   Thanks

1. 
   mike_guertin | Oct 12, 2003 09:38pm | #6

   I think Hitachi has HD plastic collated nails for thier NR65.  I never heard of Maze having wire collated HD nails.  If they do, I'd give them a try.  I'd always heard that manufacturers couldn't wire collate HD nails because of welding the wire to the coated nails was a problem.  EG nails are just coated after the wire is affixed I think.

2. 
   mdresimprov | Oct 12, 2003 08:57pm | #5

   Any other demos/shows planned for the Northeast after 11/1?

   Mark

1. 
   mike_guertin | Oct 12, 2003 09:44pm | #7

   I only do the Hardie demo at the Remodelers show.  I'm never sure what JLC Live has until December for the following year.  But this past year Hardie has had thier installation specialist, John Goch, doing demos at the JLC shows.  Good demos.  If they are back next year then be on the lookout for JLC in Prov RI in March and Columbus, OH in Sept.  That's all I know right now.

   Oh - FHB will  be doing an article on FiberCement but I'm not sure what it will look like.  Initially I was going to do a "Toolbox" article with a bunch of ordinary and FC specific tools and how to use them.  Now it may be an article on installing by John Goch.  Once the editors decide, they'll put it on the schedule.  Not likely it will appear until last spring next year.

   mg

1. 
   mdresimprov | Oct 12, 2003 10:42pm | #8

   Thanks for the info and taking the time to peply.

   Mark