geneb0322 t1_jdfcwet wrote on March 24, 2023 at 12:02 AM

I had hardiplank (and gutters, sheathing, and new trim) installed by Retex. They weren't the cheapest but they also weren't the most expensive and they did an okay job. Solidly middle of the road.

Hardiplank is a great siding, though. I never want to have to go through that mess again, but finally having siding that doesn't rot away every couple of months is such a relief.

Charlesinrichmond t1_jdfnnke wrote on March 24, 2023 at 1:19 AM

It actually can rot annoyingly enough. It's not rot but it's functionally equivalent. Not a big issue in Richmond generally but don't let snow accumulate against it

What happens is the cardboard inside the concrete gets wet and swells and everything blows up

geneb0322 t1_jdfo42z wrote on March 24, 2023 at 1:22 AM

Yeah, I don't think that'll be an issue. My old siding was Masonite so when I say I found rot every couple of months, I meant it literally. That stuff was worse than trash as siding.

lunar_unit t1_jdg89cc wrote on March 24, 2023 at 4:05 AM

The death of Masonite siding is one of the best things to ever happen in the history of the world.

geneb0322 t1_jdh5ze4 wrote on March 24, 2023 at 11:16 AM

Agreed. I don't understand who thought it would be a good idea to begin with. Other than being cheap, it has no pros that I can see as a siding choice.

Charlesinrichmond t1_jdhpkdk wrote on March 24, 2023 at 2:02 PM

I had never seen it before I moved to Richmond. It boggled my mind. It still boggles my mind. Who thought cardboard was a good siding material?

Charlesinrichmond t1_jdhpn5d wrote on March 24, 2023 at 2:03 PM

a lot of guys don't follow the reveals and standoffs. Double check them

lunar_unit t1_jdg82gm wrote on March 24, 2023 at 4:03 AM

Installation also says that cut ends need to be sealed (paint or caulk) and it has to be two inches above a roof or other horizontalish surface.

I've had to replace a bunch on dormers because it was installed in contact with shingles, wicked water flowing down the roof pitch and disintegrated. I've also seen it disintegrate from splash back on decks with no gutters above.

As an aside, I'm pretty sure the historic districts won't accept Hardi on the front facade of a house, but I can't find anything definitive about it at the moment. Do you know if this is accurate?

Charlesinrichmond t1_jdhpayl wrote on March 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM

yeah, I thought they actually increased the reveal from roof in snowbelt? Can't remember offhand.

I would bet you were right on historic ex-CAR permission, but I bet you could get boral through as the reveals and shadow lines are better.

Current cypress sucks as much as hardie