Common Fibre Cement Installation Mistakes to Avoid
Posted on: 20 November 2017
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Many homeowners opt to install fibre cement siding when they are renovating their homes. But some of those homeowners make costly mistakes during such DIY installation projects, which leads to poor results. Below are major mistakes that you should avoid making when you are installing fibre cement siding on the exterior of your home.
Nailing Mistakes
Some homeowners make the mistake of placing nails very close to the bottoms or edges of the siding. This error can cause the fibre cement siding to fail prematurely because it will be damaged around the nails when expansion and contraction occur at the ends or edges. The nails should also be driven into locations that are evenly spaced so that the siding is held in place firmly. However, some homeowners incorrectly place the nails at randomly selected points. Read the installation instructions carefully so that you can place the nails in the positions that are recommended by the manufacturer of the fibre cement siding.
Poor Water Management
Some homeowners may also not pay sufficient attention to the way in which water drains around the fibre cement siding. Such homeowners may think that fibre cement does not rot, so water will not affect it. The truth is that fibre cement will expand after absorbing water. That expansion can cause the material to degrade over time. The expanded sections can also become an eyesore. It is, therefore, advisable for you to ensure that any water from the roof or vents drains away from the siding so that it does not stagnate and affect the siding or the walls of the home.
Insufficient Clearances
Another common mistake during DIY fibre cement installations is lack of sufficient clearances when the siding meets horizontal surfaces, such as deck boards. Insufficient clearance will affect the process of expansion and contraction as temperatures vary. Lack of clearance can also trap moisture or give condensation a chance to form underneath the siding. Always ensure that you have left the recommended clearance between the fibre cement siding and any other horizontal surfaces to avoid the problems that can result when you don't leave the appropriate clearance.
Many of the mistakes made during DIY fibre-cement siding installation projects can be avoided by having a copy of the manufacturer's installation guidelines when you are doing that project. Study those guidelines carefully before you start working. Alternatively, hire an expert to carry out the installation so that the siding can last for long.