Caulk and its Role with Hardie Plank
If you are planning on installing hardie plank siding on your home, it is important to know about one of the key installation processes. The process I am referring to in this article is the Caulking process. The Caulking process is actually very important, and it must be done correctly and with the right kind of caulking.
Why is Caulk such an important part of hary plank? If you did not caulk the seams of hardy plank, you will be in a world of trouble the first time it rains. Caulking plays a vital role in keeping wind driven rain and snow from penetrating into your home through seams, and butt joints. So remember that everywhere two pieces of hardy plank meet, you will need caulking. You will also need to place caulking any place that hardy plank meets up with door trim or window trim.
While installing the hardi plank, you must caulk the joints before intalling. So what you need to do is take the caulk, and apply a bead along the edge that will be butting up to another piece. Push the two pieces tightly together and allow the excess to spooge out of the seam. Take a damp rag and wipe away any extra caulk.
When you are installing hardi plank with wood trim, it is important that you allow the wood trim plenty of room to expand and contract. It is recommended that you allow 1/8″ at any seam where the two materials meet.
So now that you know how to caulk, lets talk about what kind of caulk. It is very important that you buy a permanently flexible caulking. If the caulking is not flexible, it will crack and peel in a short amount of time. After you have installed your hardi plank and are ready to paint, make sure that you allow the caulking to dry the recommended amount of time, before painting. If you paint over wet caulking, your paint will crack and peel, along with the caulking.
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2 Responses to “Caulk and its Role with Hardie Plank”
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Hi,
I’m a homeowner. I recently damaged the bottom piece of hardy plank on a wall while lawn mowing!!
Fortunately I got a replacement piece from a contractor working on a nearby home extension. Same paint even…
Any advise on the ‘cleanest’ way to replace the broken peice (ie remove the damaged one, and install the new one .. the nails are hidden below the second plank.. how to nail (or glue?) in the new piece under the piece on top of it.
Thanks
Hello,
On a hardie plank repair like that, most often the easiest way to fix it, is to slide your new piece into place and nail or screw it in through the bottom of the piece on top of it. Make sure the screws or nails are countersunk just barely below the surface of the hardy plank and fill the holes with caulk and paint. Hope this helps!