Facade Cladding Made Of Fiber Cement

Facade cladding made of fiber cement is thin and light, but at the same time strong and robust. Installation is simple, the risk of breakage is low. Proper processing is a prerequisite for the specific advantages to be realized. We explain what is important and give tips that make work easier.

Authors: Rita Jacobs / Martin Mansel | Photos: James Hardie

When it comes to the facade, it is no longer either or, but also like and. This applies to both new buildings and additions and conversions. Facade panels made of fiber cement are a sensible alternative to plaster and stone facades or can also be aesthetically combined with them. However, if you want to process them, you should know what you are doing. So here are some pointers.

Despite their high resistance, facade cladding made of fiber cement must also be handled carefully and processed correctly. This starts with the transport and continues with a level and dry storage of the panels on the construction site. Ideally, the panels are stored horizontally in a covered, dry place and protected with a dust cover. No more than five pallets should be stacked on top of each other. If storage outside is unavoidable, the facade panels must be stored horizontally on wooden supports and covered with a waterproof tarpaulin to avoid direct contact with water and dust. Moisturized panels may only be installed after they have completely dried out.

The substructure

Fiber cement cladding can be installed in the form of a rear-ventilated facade on both solid and lightweight walls with a substructure made of wood or metal. A properly installed substructure is the prerequisite for an optimal end result. It is therefore imperative to consider a few basic points. For example, the substructure should be at least 40 mm thick to ensure adequate ventilation. Depending on the existing wind load, the center distance of the battens may not exceed 600 mm. The substructure must be leveled exactly over the entire surface in order to achieve a flat facade surface later. Furthermore, during assembly, make sure thatthat there is a distance of at least 160 mm between the floor and the lower edge of the battens and at least 20 mm between the upper edge of the battens and the upper edge. For example, to prevent moisture penetration, James Hardie recommends protecting the wooden substructures using EPDM tape (10 mm wider than the substructure). If the building materials underneath are not water-resistant or hydrophobic, a waterproof, breathable underlayment with a corresponding overlap (at least 150 mm) must also be applied to the wall before installing the substructure. For example, James Hardie recommends protecting the wooden substructures by using an EPDM tape (10 mm wider than the substructure). If the building materials underneath are not water-resistant or hydrophobic, a waterproof, breathable underlayment with a corresponding overlap (at least 150 mm) must also be applied to the wall before installing the substructure. For example, James Hardie recommends protecting the wooden substructures by using an EPDM tape (10 mm wider than the substructure). If the building materials underneath are not water-resistant or hydrophobic, a waterproof, breathable underlayment with a corresponding overlap (at least 150 mm) must also be applied to the wall before installing the substructure.breathable underlay with appropriate overlap (at least 150 mm) can be applied to the wall.breathable underlay with appropriate overlap (at least 150 mm) can be applied to the wall.

Corner version

When the substructure is installed, the corners can be made. Trim strips ensure a perfect, weather-resistant finish, which also sets special accents. The different manufacturers offer different versions. For example, James Hardie has the HardiePlank MetalTrim (length 3000 mm) and the HardieTrim NT3 corner profiles made of metal or fiber cement in their portfolio. The metal profiles can be used for inside and outside corners and are color-matched to the facade cladding. The fiber cement moldings, on the other hand, are available in the colors white, black and cashmere. With both variants, the assembly does not pose any major requirements and can easily be done with stainless steel nails, which are driven in flush or recessed by a maximum of 1 mm. Alternatively, it is also possibleProcess stainless steel screws with countersunk head. To ensure that the facade cladding is flush with the top and bottom, the fiber cement trim strips or corner profiles should be installed so that there is an overhang of 10 mm each.

Assembly of the boards

In the next step, the facade boards can be installed. The use of a combined starter and ventilation profile is helpful here. This makes it possible to kill several birds with one stone: on the one hand, this ensures adequate ventilation of the construction, largely prevents the entry of insects or small animals, and on the other hand, it is the easiest way to professionally install the bottom row of facade panels. The panels in the first row are attached with a 10 mm overhang above the starter ventilation profile, which is therefore hidden behind them. The second and all subsequent rows are then processed with a joint offset of 30 mm overhang to the row below. The protrusion should be observed over the entire area during assembly,in order to achieve a uniform facade image. It is helpful to draw a corresponding mark on the substructure above the top edge of the top board. However, using the GeckoGauge adjustment aid is even better and easier. It works like an additional pair of hands and thus enables quick and precise installation of the facade cladding as slip formwork even in one-man assembly. The last row is reassembled with an overhang of 10 mm to the ventilation profile that closes at the top. In addition to the horizontal installation described here, it is alternatively also possible to install HardiePlank facade cladding vertically or with open joints. Draw a corresponding mark on the substructure above the top edge of the top board. However, using the GeckoGauge adjustment aid is even better and easier. It works like an additional pair of hands and thus enables quick and precise installation of the facade cladding as slip formwork even in one-man assembly. The last row is reassembled with an overhang of 10 mm to the ventilation profile that closes at the top. In addition to the horizontal installation described here, it is alternatively also possible to install HardiePlank facade cladding vertically or with open joints. Draw a corresponding mark on the substructure above the top edge of the top board. However, using the GeckoGauge adjustment aid is even better and easier. It works like an additional pair of hands and thus enables quick and precise installation of the facade cladding as slip formwork even in one-man assembly. The last row is reassembled with an overhang of 10 mm to the ventilation profile that closes at the top. In addition to the horizontal installation described here, it is alternatively also possible to install HardiePlank facade cladding vertically or with open joints. It works like an additional pair of hands and thus enables quick and precise installation of the facade cladding as slip formwork even in one-man assembly. The last row is reassembled with a projection of 10 mm to the ventilation profile that closes at the top. In addition to the horizontal installation described here, it is alternatively also possible to install HardiePlank facade cladding vertically or with open joints. It works like an additional pair of hands and thus enables quick and precise installation of the facade cladding as slip formwork even in one-man assembly. The last row is reassembled with a projection of 10 mm to the ventilation profile that closes at the top. In addition to the horizontal installation described here, it is alternatively also possible to install HardiePlank facade cladding vertically or with open joints.

Attachment

The panels can be easily attached to the substructure with a nail gun (one nail per vertical frame, grooved nails, at least 2.8 mm x 45 mm, nail head diameter of 6.5 mm). It is important to ensure that the nails are countersunk flush. Pre-drilling is not necessary. Screws are also possible (length of the screws at least 40 mm, diameter 4 mm, 8 mm countersunk head with milling rib). To compensate for product and building tolerances, James Hardie recommends installing the panels with a joint of 1 to 4 mm to the corner profiles or to door and window frames.

Façade panels made of fiber cement can generally be cut using standard tools (e.g. fox tail or pendulum saw). A particularly simple solution that also does not require electricity and produces practically no dust is the use of the HardieGuillotine cutting tool. Clean cuts ensure perfect joints at the corners. All cut edges must be treated with ColourPlus edge sealing before installation.

Good to know: James Hardie has published detailed instructions for the processing of HardiePlank facade cladding, which explains exactly what is important. Clear pictures illustrate the individual processing steps, tables summarize the most important facts. It is also helpful to have a processing video that shows at www.fermacell.de in just four minutes what is important in the planning and processing of HardiePlank facade cladding and that explains the individual work phases step by step from preparation to completion.

Facade configurator

Facades are the calling card of a house. As a first visual impression, they have a lasting impact on perception. No wonder that homeowners are particularly concerned about the look of their home. Because the building envelope should not only protect the house and its occupants from the weather and pollutants from the environment and be just as robust, but also look good. With the new facade configurator from James Hardie Europe, homeowners, architects and fabricators can quickly and easily get an impression of the diverse design options.

This new virtual tool from James Hardie Europe is extremely easy to use. There are a total of twelve different sample houses to choose from, which can be filled with any color and texture. Users have a color palette with 5 appealing color themes and two textures with a smooth surface or wood structure.

Material calculator

Once the selection has been made, a digital material calculator is used. Based on the project-specific information provided by the user, he calculates the quantities of products and accessories required for the execution (materialrechner.jameshardie.com).

Extensive digital knowledge is not required. The application is very simple. All the user has to do is specify the dimensions of the area to be clad and the type of cladding desired, i.e. whether the cladding should be horizontal or vertical. In addition, the texture is queried - here the user has the choice between a smooth surface or wood structure - the color - there is a modern color palette with five appealing color themes available - as well as the spacing of the substructure.

After entering all parameters, the amount of facade cladding required for the execution appears on the display. The information is supplemented by references to the other accessories required for processing (panels for the door and window reveals, EPDM tape, edge sealing, fasteners and wooden substructure). With this information, the user can request a quote directly or visit a dealer. James Hardie has observed the trends in building design and updated his color palette accordingly: the classic, timeless shades of anthracite gray, slate gray, pearl gray and espresso complement the newly structured color palette with five color themes. In combination with two different decors (smooth surface for modern design ornatural-looking wood structure for the classic look), architects, builders, planners and homeowners will have even more options for realizing a modern facade with a classic, timeless look. At the roof and wood trade fair in Stuttgart, panels were also announced that are only primed and thus enable even better adaptation to personal color requirements.

More photos:

PraxisPlus

Free online seminars

Even if social distancing is the order of the day, nobody has to do without further training. James Hardie now offers free online seminars across Europe. The offer is wide-ranging to cover the widest possible range of interests. It relates to lectures on topics such as fire protection, sound insulation or floor systems as well as timber construction and drywall. The direct exchange also continues in the webinars: At any time, questions can be asked live and in chat to James Hardie's experts, who will then be answered directly.

Interested parties can obtain a constantly updated overview of topics at fermacell.de/aktuelles/jetzt-neu-online-seminare or at:

www.jameshardie.de/aktuelles/jetzt-neu-online-seminare