Fiber Cement Siding On Sloping Lot

GregWCIL

We are going to install fiber cement siding on an ICF house with a walkout basement. Any suggestions on how to lower the bottom of the siding as the dirt slopes down to the walkout basement on one side. This is going to be a very nicely finished house, so we want it to look as nice as possible.

At this point we are even flexible on how to slope the dirt--gradually so it can be mowed or faster using one or more stepped retaining walls.

Any pics of jobs you've done?

Thanks,
Greg

Chris Johnson

I always find the nicest way to finish is to follow the slope of the land. This requires alot of patience to get going until all the angle cuts are complete and you are running straight across. You will be impressed with the end result. I have seen this done many times with both brick and stucco.

I'll try and dig up a picture and post for you.

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Chris

GregWCIL

Chris,

If I use fiber cement siding, I don't know how I would install trim on angled ends.

I'm looking forward to your pics though.

Thanks,
Greg

Chris Johnson

Snap a chalk line to the angle you need to cut to, cut it and install it.

Picture is in a PDF format along with a whole bunch of others, PM with an email and I can send you the whole file with a whole bunch of pictures.

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Chris

GregWCIL

123

ridewags

chalkline/cut/install worked for my as well... looks sharp... Ive also done it that way but putting a 1x to cap it off on the ground, I prefer w/o but its what the h/o wanted and it came out ok

GregWCIL

I guess since I'm new to this forum, they won't let me pm. But, Chris remove the xx and have my email. gdlepperxx@dtnspeed.net

Thanks,
Greg

bcradio

you're gonna want to make sure the top of the siding pieces are completely level... and for the bottom, you will want to cut them to match the layout of the ground.

if the ground is fairly smooth then just cut strait angled pieces... otherwise cut to the curvature of the ground.

I would even possibly dig out a little bit and cover it back with dirt when you are done to cover the seam on the bottom.

bottom line: make sure the pieces are level or it will come out like crap

thesidingpro

Horrible advice.

"just cut strait angled pieces" ????

You have to make sure the siding is 6" of grade at all points. I would run an azek band around the bottom to get closer to the grade...

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bcradio

excellent advice actually... I'm not exactly sure what " 6" of grade " is either???

Do you know what a strait line is? well if you cut an angle at a strait line then you get what I said... perhaps you should re-take a high school geometry class to figure that out (not horribly difficult).

Anyways, without pictures it is hard to give specific advice!

jhark123

bcradio, are you suggesting that the painted siding should be in contact with the soil? if so that is horrible advice and the homeowner would be repainting/repairing siding within 5 years