Seamless Hardipanel?

So we've decided on Hardipanel for the exterior of our house, but due to our community restrictions can not do a very modern looking exterior. Does anyone know how to install hardipanel and mask the seams? I'll be painting the board after it goes up and probably using a galvanized fastener. Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Thanks, Marja


[email]fortress.development@gmail.com[/email]

Your CRs are that picky!? do they limit paint color range too?

the spec/install sheet for Hardipanel suggests leaving a moderate gap and then you can caulk, cover with a batten strip, or you can use an extruded H strip. There woud be some thermal expansion and contraction to deal with.
[url href=Hardipanel Vertical Siding Installation]http://www.hardie.com/homeowner/installation/hardipanel_installation.php[/url]

Thanks Tubaman, I should have been a little more clear. Wondering if anyone knows a method other than those in the instructions. I've seen quite a few photos of finished products, where the seam was almost imperceptible. Was it simple caulk or did they grout the gap?

Let me know if anyone has more photos of a finished product, ours will likely be painted in a darker blue-grey, and yes Tubaman, sadly our CCR's are that restrictive.

I used Hardi Panel witht he textured finish, stucco, to hide the fastners. Here are some pictures of it before painting. I will get some now that it has been painted to compare.

We caulked between the sheets and flush nailed the panels. The nails are hidden with the paint and texture.

Don't know how to attach more than one picture or file, here are some more.

marja, it might really help to know what the restrictions are. Are you trying to use Hardie to approximate stucco? Are the restrictions on materials or the look of the house?

royalfe, thanks for the pictures, it was helpful to see how yours turned out... rous, I was hoping to use the Hardipanel smooth, because I like the concrete look more than stucco. I am restricted from using metal cladding, I'm sure I could get away with the metal fasteners, but because we have a typical roof with a 5:12 pitch, it would probably look pretty silly have them or metal strips between the sheets. I may end up going with the stucco if it with cover my fasteners better..

Any thoughts or photos??

Thanks, Marja

Fortress.Development@gmail.com

Can someone answer a couple hardipanel questions for me. I'm adding a garage onto my painted brick house, and I've purchased a bunch of 4'x10' hardipanel sheets (smooth finish) for the exterior. I've put 1/4 OSB on the 2x4 studs, and will be putting #15 felt on top of the OSB.

1) What do I use to fasten the hardipanel to the OSB? Nails? (can I use a framing nail gun? probably not..) Screws (what kind?)
And do I have to screw or nail into the studs if OSB is on top

2) How do I cut the hardipanel? I don't have any fancy saw. Is there a simple/economical method? I'll be installing them vertically since the garage is 10' high.

Thanks

rjr,
I just finished hanging the same panel except textured to hide the fasteners (see pics on previous posts). The walls were framed and covered with OSB and a house wrap. I nailed the panels up with a framing gun set to drive the nails flush with the surface of the sheet. I went back and drove some up tight to pull the sheet to the wall. We shot the nails into the studs.

We cut the panels with a skill saw and a masonry blade, about $3 to $4. It makes lots and lots of dust so we wore masks when cutting. The trim on the building pictured was ripped on a table saw with a 10 masonry blade ($6). Both were fastened with a trim gun and nails.

Have fun!!

royalfe, thanks for the info. your hardipanel installation looks great in the pics.
Since I'm using the smooth finish, would my nail holes be visible if I do the method that you did?
What if I want some type of fasteners to be exposed, and then a metal trim of some sort between each piece and on the corners?

thanks

So I nowhave permission from my homeowners association to use metal and/or fasteners for the hardipanel. I am still more interested in a seamless look, but am not sure if it can happen. I'm hoping some of you know a little about the metal trim used between panels.

Any sources?

Supply costs?

Hints or Ideas?


Thanks.. Marja

I am also very curious if there is a technicque to fasten these to a wall showing no fasteners on the face of the panel/board.  I was thinking about fastener from the wall behind but the hardipanel is not thick enough to get a screw to hold I think.  Anyone have better ideas?

Looks great.

Where did you source the windows?

I actually emailed Hardie on this last week.  They called me back very promptly.  There is no hidden fastner system for this product.  I suggested SS Screws, and they said that that would be acceptable.  I figured that if I had to look at it, I might as well be cool....... 

Another thing that I thought of AFTER I talked to the Hardie guy was to glue it on............  Something like, OSB to Tyvek to 1/4 plywood (nailed heavily) to hardie (glued to the plywood).....but I imagine that would open a realm of other problems...

BTW, anyone else interested in the Colorplus product?  I would love to use it, but they will only sell it by the unit as far as I can tell.  And I only need 3 sheets.  Guess I will just paint it.

If you use Hardiboard you are pretty much going to have to live with the seams.  Even if you install it contrary to the manufacturer's instructions, I think you will find that the the 2x4 studs you are nailing to are not all uniform (some are bowed in and out etc) and Hardiboard is very rigid so it shows all.  I've seen some other builders installing with the unfinished side out, then floating over it with a skim coat of dryvitt.  I have seen several of these installations start peeling off within a couple years.