James Hardie Lap Siding - Post Installation Questions on Appearance
An exterior contractor just finished installing HardiPlank Smooth Lap Siding on my house, replacing aged wood lap siding (and matching a rear addition that was added to the house 18 years ago with HardiPlank). I have a few observations I'm looking for input on before I approach the contractor.
1. Should any nails be visible? My understanding is that all nailing is done at the top of the board and then covered by the overlap of the board or trim above. I have found several small nails (with their heads buried beneath the surface) placed in visible locations near the bottoms and corners of boards. And occasionally I'll find a short metal wire extending from under a board - what is this wire? See photos attached.
2. The edges are not as sharp as the HardiPlank installed 18 years ago; they are more rounded and
some are eroding or damaged, which is again inconsistent with the older Hardi installation. Can these be repaired or do the boards needs replaced or is some edge wear normal?
3. What am I seeing in the different colors of the boards that can be seen on the side of the house? We did not pick a color for this job, as we were painting after; all boards were to be primed.
Comments (11)
PROBeth H. :
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agoJay Gregory
4 months agoThanks Beth; it was painted this week after installation with Sherwin Duration . I snapped a photo of one of the Hardie shipments, which states it is primed, though I don’t know the spec of all received.
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Beth H. :
4 months agolast modified: 4 months ago 
PROPPF.
4 months agoJay Gregory
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agoJay Gregory
4 months agoHi Everyone,
I found a couple more things I don’t understand; could I have your feedback on the following:
Larger cuts at top of several windows have left gaps (right and front of house has this gap on every window, left does not)
Metal corners were installed to match the rest of the house; I have a wall with greater than a 90 degree angle at the corners. Will the gaps at the corner bottoms cause problems down the road?
millworkman
4 months agolast modified: 4 months ago- PRO
Beth H. :
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agothose nails should never be done like that. I posted a huge PDF installation file link. did you ever read it?
I mean, you keep coming here to us asking for advice, and we've advised you.
Not sure what else you want us to say? From where I sit, the install isn't done up to specs.
Have you talked over the last issues w/the installer??
Why not call and speak to a Hardie rep. I'm sure if you sent him these pics, they could advise you about their products.
those corner pieces don't look right. as stated previously, nail heads should not be exposed.
This is just wrong.
here is a corner like yours. do you see any nail heads??? Nope.
I've posted diff corner finishes:Hardie Mitered Corners.
Hardie Corners
This just looks like water damage waiting to happen
Here's how a properly done window/siding looks:
what happens when water gets in between this gap and just sits there or seeps in behind? have no idea if proper flashing was used.
Does this one look like yours? nope.
This is a Drip Cap. Not sure if that's what was used w/yours
I don't know what to say except I'd report all of these mistakes and issues to whomever is in charge. And I wouldn't pay a dime until all of these are fixed Jay Gregory
4 months ago
PPF.