Best Caulk For Hardie Plank Siding

In the old days the builder would install the trim bring the siding up to it and caulk the corner.

Best caulk for hardie plank siding.

0 312 in x 8 25 in x 144 in hardieplank primed woodgrain lap fiber cement siding panel. Fiber cement siding repair or patching. Caulking sealant must be applied in accordance. This from installation instructions.

Hardy plank cannot be stained. When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product. For regular hardiplank lap siding the kind you paint after installation caulking at butt joints is optional. James hardie does not recommend the use of caulk at field butt joints.

For best results use caulks that comply with either astm c 834 or astm c 920. This step will ensure that no moisture gets in at the joints and causes deterioration. On most new homes the trim goes up after the siding is installed which creates a large gap that should not be caulked. Do not use stains or oil based alkyd paints on james hardie products.

James hardie recommends the use of caulks and sealants that remain permanently flexible. Any lower and you might see a few nail heads poking through the bottom of the next board any higher and your siding is likely to be loose and. A high quality paintable caulk is recommended. If needed you ll also want to caulk or re caulk every seam and joint in your hardie plank.

Once all caulk is dry and your siding is clean you ll paint hardie plank with a high quality exterior grade acrylic latex. For additional information on finishing james hardie products download technical bulletin 22 from here. Re applying caulking when it has begun to show signs of wear can help keep moisture from getting into the wall cavity.