Installing Fiber Cement Siding Over Concrete

This old house general contractor tom silva shares his secrets for working with fiber cement siding.

Installing fiber cement siding over concrete.

Fiberglass cement siding is a composite made of portland cement silica and wood fiber. It s available in many styles and widths both smooth and wood textured and you still get the crisp joints and details that ll make your home s exterior stand out. Vinyl corner trims are also compatible with fiber cement siding. Fiber cement siding tolerances and gaps.

In many ways installing fiber cement siding is similar to installing wood siding but there are some differences that need to be addressed in order for it to be installed properly. Installing fiber cement siding fcs such as hardieplank is easier than you might think though there are some important differences from traditional wood siding. Vinyl siding can give an ordinary concrete home an appealing polished look and update its appearance. Hardiplank is a fiber cement siding made for exterior use to cover a structure in a long lasting sheathing.

Installing vinyl siding over concrete is similar to installing it over wood since you have to install wooden furring strips under the siding. As seen in this video there are very precise steps you need to take to install the siding properly. Once cut to length minus the recommended wiggle room attach each trim piece by driving nails through it the house wrap and the sheathing and into wood framing. When installing fiber cement siding over foam insulation board as on an insulating concrete form icf house exercise caution to ensure proper installation.

Installation instructions may vary depending on the manufacturer and check with your local building inspector for any code requirements. If you re hanging fiber cement siding you ll typically use fiber cement trim from the same manufacturer on areas like inward and outward corners. Once painted it looks almost identical to wood. Though generally used over wooden house sheathing you can mount your hardiplank siding over brick with only few preparatory steps.

Fiber cement trim board is available in varying sizes from 7 16 inch to one inch.