Trim board Thickness to use with Hardi Lap Siding - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

jirpel · 07-12-2006, 08:31 AM

What thickness of Trim Board are most of you using with the Hardi Lap Siding. I was considering using Miratec trim which comes in 4/4 (3/4") and 5/5 (1") thickness? I was hoping to get away with 4/4 boards.

Thanks

Grumpy · 07-12-2006, 09:01 AM

We don't use the fibercement trim boards. They are very brittle, easy to break and quite often chip when nailing. It just looks like crap. Many guys in my area will use cedar trim boards with fibercement siding, however we use a composite material called Miratec. Haven't had any problems yet. One of my suppliers was pushing me to the LP, but I haven't tried it yet.

The thickness is 4/4". That's 1" to most people however if you ask for 1" you will probably get 5/4". 4/4" is a nominal measurement and the actual thickness will be 3/4" thick. This is perfect for a thin product like Hardie or Weatherboards which are only 5/16" thick.

When installing natural cedar siding, the thickness is slightly thicker, usually 3/8", and then you need to install the 5/4" or the trim boards are flush with the siding, and this looks ameatuerish.

Short answer 4/4 miratec is perfect.

jirpel · 07-12-2006, 09:20 AM

Sounds like 3/4" Miratec is the product to use. I never used it but have used a product by GP (Prime Trim) which seams to be similar.

A question regarding the corner boards, since Miratec is reversible with textured on one side and smooth on the other. How to you fit your corner boards together if you want to have the smooth side exposed. If you are overlapping the ends of the boards at the corner (wood grain side in), it seams to me that the texture would stop you from getting a tight seam. I can only think to miter the corners to resolve which I am not sure is recommended with this product.

Grumpy · 07-12-2006, 12:58 PM

Caulk

vtgaetano · 07-12-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jirpel

Sounds like 3/4" Miratec is the product to use. I never used it but have used a product by GP (Prime Trim) which seams to be similar.

A question regarding the corner boards, since Miratec is reversible with textured on one side and smooth on the other. How to you fit your corner boards together if you want to have the smooth side exposed. If you are overlapping the ends of the boards at the corner (wood grain side in), it seams to me that the texture would stop you from getting a tight seam. I can only think to miter the corners to resolve which I am not sure is recommended with this product.

4/4 not 3/4 , Grumpy answered that part very well.
Have you ripped much of that stuff yet??/? Don't try to miter your corners, the stuff is like "cardboard", good stuff, but you would never get your corner to look good, trust me. The dust from ripping that stuff can be pretty nasty as well.

Grumpy · 07-12-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtgaetano

4/4 not 3/4 , Grumpy answered that part very well.
Have you ripped much of that stuff yet??/? Don't try to miter your corners, the stuff is like "cardboard", good stuff, but you would never get your corner to look good, trust me. The dust from ripping that stuff can be pretty nasty as well.

We've started using vacuums when cutting fiercement and miratec. Helps a ton!

vtgaetano · 07-12-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

We've started using vacuums when cutting fiercement and miratec. Helps a ton!

I have the vacum for my hardi plank saw only right now. Need one for my table saw for Miratec. I haven't put Miratec on in a couple years but I remember the dust and it being real flimsy. Trying to spin a 1X12 around was always fun. Back then I didn't even have a dust collection for the hardi plank, EVEN with all the warnings all over the pallet. Times have changed!