Frequently Asked Questions
Get the answers to the most common questions about our products.
General Questions
Artisan® Matrix™ Panel
Artisan® Lap
HardiePanel™ siding
HardiePlank™ siding
Working with fiber cement
General Questions
What is fiber cement?
Why should I use James Hardie products?
What sets James Hardie apart from its competitors?
What sizes are product available in?
Where can I buy James Hardie siding and what does it cost?
What support is available to the commercial architect?
What type of product warranties are available with your products?
What is the maximum height building I can specify your product on?
Do I have to paint James Hardie siding?
How close to the ground can I install James Hardie products?
Q. What is fiber cement?
A. Fiber cement is a highly durable composite material made from Portland cement, ground sand, cellulose fiber, select additives and water. Contains no asbestos, glass fibers or formaldehyde. Our products enjoy the benefits of cementitious products (they resist fire, moisture, rotting, insects) while providing the workability and ease of installation of wood (they can be nailed and saw cut). They are regarded as being friendly to the environment and are extremely low-maintenance.
Q. Why should I use James Hardie products?
A. Our products offer a range of advantages - from appearance to durability - over traditional building materials. They are easy to cut, nail and paint; require minimal maintenance; and can be used to create a variety of shapes and profiles, and different textured and colored finishes.
Q. What sets James Hardie apart from its competitors?
A. With billions of square feet of product sold, James Hardie is the global leader in fiber cement. The superior performance of James Hardie's differentiated products is supported by the unique product formulations and production technology. We invest tens of millions of dollars every year in research and product development. We employ over 100 scientists, engineers and technicians in the areas of Core Research and Product & Process Development. Over 50% of our scientists have advanced degrees and 45% have worked for James Hardie for over five years.
Q. What sizes are product available in?
A. Sizes vary depending on the product type, please refer to the specific product information available on this website.
Q. Where can I buy James Hardie siding and what does it cost?
A: Please call James Hardie Commercial customer service at 1 866 274 3464 for your closest sales representative.
Q. What support is available to the commercial architect?
A. Brochures, specifications, CAD files and installation instructions are all available on this website.
Q. What type of product warranties are available with your products?
A. Warranties of up to 50 years are available. A 15 year finish warranty is available for products with ColorPlus® Technology. See our warranty page for specific product warranties.
Q. What is the maximum height building I can specify your product on?
A. Typically James Hardie siding is suitable for low rise construction up to 5-6 stories in height. This varies depending upon the project location, product used and installation configuration. For detailed information please refer to our Code & Testing page.
Q. Do I have to paint James Hardie siding?
A: Yes, James Hardie siding must be painted or you may order many James Hardie® products with ColorPlus® Technology. If painting, 100% acrylic topcoats are recommended. Do not paint when wet. For specific recommendations, please refer to JH Technical Bulletin No. S-100 or refer to paint manufacturers specifications. Back rolling is recommended if the siding is sprayed. Within 180 days for primed product and 90 days for unprimed.
Q. How close to the ground can I install James Hardie products?
A: Model Building Codes (UBC, Standard, etc.) require that exterior sidings be installed with a minimum 6" clearance of soil. This will allow for clearance when soil is back-filled against the foundation and footings.
Artisan® Matrix™ Panel
What is the difference between Artisan® Matrix™ Panel & HardiePanel™ siding?
When will Artisan® Matrix™ Panel be available outside of WA, OR & CA?
Is Artisan® Matrix™ Panel available pre-painted with ColorPlus® Technology?
Can I fix Artisan® Matrix™ Panel direct to sheathing/WRB?
Is adhesive required on JamesHardie™ Furring Strips prior to panel fastening?
Is Artisan® Matrix™ Panel installed over JamesHardie™ Furring Strips considered a rainscreen?
Can I use visible/decorative fasteners?
Can I vary the standard ½' reveal around the panels?
What is the maximum paint sheen recommended for Artisan® Matrix™ Panel?
Q. What is the difference between Artisan® Matrix™ Panel & HardiePanel™ siding?
A: Artisan® Matrix™ Panel is similar in size and composition to HardiePanel™ siding. It has undergone additional manufacturing processes to make it smoother and more square. In addition it is installed on a rainscreen using proprietary fiber cement furring strips.
Q. When will Artisan® Matrix™ Panel be available outside of WA, OR & CA?
A: Broader distribution is planned. Timing is currently under review.
Q. Is Artisan® Matrix™ Panel available pre-painted with ColorPlus® Technology?
A: Not at this time.
Q. Can I fix Artisan® Matrix™ Panel direct to sheathing/WRB?
A: No. Artisan® Matrix™ Panel is installed over JamesHardie™ Furring Strips which are attached to the framing through the sheathing.
Q. Is adhesive required on JamesHardie™ Furring Strips prior to panel fastening?
A: Yes
Q. Is Artisan® Matrix™ Panel installed over JamesHardie™ Furring Strips considered a rainscreen?
A: The definition of rainscreen differs within the building science community. There are some who define it as an assembly with open panel joints where pressure is theoretically equalized either side of the panel. Artisan® Matrix™ Panel is installed with both vertical and horizontal joints sealed, creating a ventilated and drained cavity. This provides two layers of defense against moisture entry.
Q. Can I use visible/decorative fasteners?
A: Yes. It is recommended that decorative fasteners be added once the panels have been installed using finishing nails and field painted.
Q. Can I vary the standard ½' reveal around the panels?
A: Yes. Artisan® Matrix™ Panel is designed for a ½" reveal although a range of ¼" – ¾" can be achieved in the field.
Q. What is the maximum paint sheen recommended for Artisan® Matrix™ Panel?
A: Semi-gloss.
Artisan® Lap
What is the advantage of Artisan® Lap?
How is such a thick siding product possible with fiber cement?
What trim is used with this product?
Q. What is the advantage of Artisan® Lap?
A. Distinctively deep shadow lines for premium aesthetic, providing the look of traditional wood siding with the durability and low maintenance of James Hardie fiber cement. In addition the product is beveled on the back to lie flat against the wall ensuring stability and the unique tongue and groove feature allows end joints to fit tightly together for precise fit and finish.
Q. How is such a thick siding product possible with fiber cement?
A. With patented DuraTech™ technology, Artisan Lap provides a product with superior structural integrity, creating the best exterior design product on the market. This advanced technology allows us to create lap with a 5/8" thickness, yet light enough for easy one-person handling. Deep, defined shadow lines are cast from the thicker material for maximum beauty coupled with superior structural integrity.
Q. What trim is used with this product?
A: Artisan™ Accent Trim - providing the finishing touch of style and sophistication to any building.
HardiePanel™ siding
Can I achieve a contemporary express/reveal jointed look with HardiePanel™ siding?
What is the benefit of using aluminum extrusions?
Where can I get the aluminum extrusions from?
What finishes are the aluminum extrusions available in?
Q. Can I achieve a contemporary express/reveal jointed look with HardiePanel™ siding?
A. Yes. This look is achieved using aluminum extrusions.
Q. What is the benefit of using aluminum extrusions?
A. The extrusions have been specifically designed to achieve a clean and crisp express/reveal joint using HardiePanel™ siding. These components achieve this look while maintaining ease of installation.
Q. Where can I get the aluminum extrusions from?
A: Fry Reglet Corporations. Ph 800-237-9773
Q. What finishes are the aluminum extrusions available in?
A: Chem-film coated for field painting. Clear anodized for a raw metallic finish. Custom colors are available upon request from Fry Reglet Corporation.
HardiePlank™ siding
Can I blind nail? When do I have to face nail? Can I use staples?
Do I have to butt the joints? Will water get through the gap? Do I have to caulk?
Can HardiePlank™ siding be applied to metal framing?
Q. Can I blind nail? When do I have to face nail? Can I use staples?
A: Yes, you can blind nail HardiePlank™ siding. This can be done up to 24" on center. Please consult NER-405 Report (Table 2) for complete details. Staples cannot be used.
Q. Do I have to butt the joints? Will water get through the gap? Do I have to caulk?
A: Please refer to our complete HardiePlank™ siding installation instructions.
Q. Can HardiePlank™ siding be applied to metal framing?
A: Yes, please refer to NER-405 Report (Tables 2 & 3) for product application details.
Working with fiber cement
How do you seal field-cut edges?
Do I need to pre-drill James Hardie siding?
Why is Silica important to You?
How do I cut James Hardie siding? How can I control the dust?
Is this an issue for James Hardie products only?
Does the silica in James Hardie products pose a danger after the product is installed?
Should I ever use a high-speed power tool (such as a circular saw) indoors?
There are many blades designed to cut fiber-cement on the market. Why is the HardieBlade™ saw blade better?
If I choose to wear a respirator when cutting James Hardie products, what type of respirator is required to filter out the respirable silica particles most effectively?
Q. How do you seal field-cut edges?
A: Typically cut edges are required to be sealed or primed. Refer to the product specific installation instructions.
Q. Do I need to pre-drill James Hardie siding?
A: No. Our products do not require pre-drilling. They nail just as easily as traditional wood products.
Q. Why is Silica important to You?
A: Silica (SiO²) comprises approximately 75% of the earth's crust and is a common ingredient in most products used in the tile and masonry industry, including cement-based underlayment materials such as HardieBacker® cement board. In an intact state, these products do not pose a silica risk. However, when cut, drilled, or abraded during installation, the resulting smaller, silica-containing dust can pose a potential health hazard as inhalation of excessive quantities over an extended duration can cause silicosis, lung-cancer, or other lung-related diseases, potentially leading to death.
To protect workers from potential health effects, OSHA established and enforces a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable silica of 0.100 µg/m³. This PEL is an 8-hour time weighted average and requires the use of special industrial hygiene equipment to measure. Any exposures above this level will mandate the installer to take additional protective measures, potentially including a documented respirator program and medical monitoring.
As safety is paramount, James Hardie always encourages you to take every effort possible to minimize any dust exposure levels. In any situation, properly-fitted NIOSH approved respirators (e.g. N95) can be used in conjunction with the following tools and cutting methods to further limit silica dust exposures, providing a safer workplace.
If additional concern regarding dust exposure levels (or exceeding OSHA´s PEL) exists or the conditions of your jobsite do not allow you to conform to any of the following practices, please contact James Hardie at 1-888-JHARDIE or consult a qualified industrial hygienist. A directory of independent IH consultants can be found at www.aiha.org.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prior to using any James Hardie® products, all users must read all applicable warnings (including MSDS) and comply with all installation instructions. Failure to do so may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING: AVOID BREATHING SILICA DUST
James Hardie® products contain respirable crystalline silica, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and is considered by IARC and NIOSH to be a cause of cancer from some occupational sources. Breathing excessive amounts of respirable silica dust can also cause a disabling and potentially fatal lung disease called silicosis, and has been linked with other diseases. Some studies suggest smoking may increase these risks. During installation or handling: (1) work in outdoor areas with ample ventilation; (2) use fiber cement shears for cutting or, where not feasible, use a HardieBlade™ saw blade and dust-reducing circular saw attached to a HEPA vacuum; (3) warn others in the immediate area; (4) wear a properly-fitted, NIOSH-approved dust mask or respirator (e.g. N-95) in accordance with applicable government regulations and manufacturer instructions to further limit respirable silica exposures. During clean-up, use HEPA vacuums or wet cleanup methods - never dry sweep. For further information, refer to our installation instructions and Material Safety Data Sheet available at www.jameshardie.com or by calling 1-800-9HARDIE (1-800-942-7343). FAILURE TO ADHERE TO OUR WARNINGS, MSDS, AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
James Hardie Building Products
26300 La Alameda, Suite 250
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
SD050905
Q. How do I cut James Hardie siding? How can I control the dust?
A: To help you have a safer jobsite, James Hardie has developed the following "tiered" system to help you select the best tools and methods for your given job requirements. This system has been based around exposure testing in what James Hardie believes to be real-world conditions to ensure that you can have a safe jobsite. Note: For maximum protection (lowest respirable dust exposures), James Hardie always recommends using "Best"-level cutting methods where feasible. If you do not adhere to the recommended cutting instructions, please contact James Hardie or consult with a qualified industrial hygienist.
| TOOL RATING CATEGORY | CUTTING METHOD | CUTTING RATE¹ | VENTILATION |
| BEST² | HANDHELD SHEARS PLATFORM SHEARS SCORE AND SNAP | NO LIMITATIONS | INDOOR / OUTDOOR |
| BETTER | DUST-REDUCING SAWS WITH HARDIEBLADE™ SAW BLADE COUPLED WITH HEPA VACUUM EXTRACTION | NO LIMITATIONS | OUTDOOR |
| GOOD | DUST-REDUCING SAWS WITH HARDIEBLADE™ SAW BLADE | LOW TO MODERATE | OUTDOOR |
¹Cutting rate is based on linear feet of material actually being cut
²This option is not appropriate for Artisan® Lap and Matrix™ Panel
NEVER use high speed power tools (e.g. circular saws, grinders, etc) to cut James Hardie Products indoors as they may generate excessive respirable silica dust
Q. Is this an issue for James Hardie products only?
A: No. Many products in the building industry contain silica including fiber cement. Other products include bricks, concrete, tile, abrasives, grout, thin-set, glass, roofing tiles, gypsum wallboard, joint compound, stucco patch, mortar, and cementitious tile underlayments.
Q. Does the silica in James Hardie products pose a danger after the product is installed?
A: No. The silica in James Hardie products does not pose any danger during handling or to the homeowner once the product is installed. Respirable silica only poses a potential hazard from James Hardie products during certain activities that create dust (e.g., cutting, grinding, drilling, sanding, or otherwise abrading) and only if excessive amounts of respirable silica are present in the user´s immediate breathing area. James Hardie products in their intact state do not emit dust.
Q. Should I ever use a high-speed power tool (such as a circular saw) indoors?
A: No. You should only use shears and the score-and-snap method indoors. If a power saw is needed, all cutting should be done outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
Q. There are many blades designed to cut fiber-cement on the market. Why is the HardieBlade™ saw blade better?
A: The HardieBlade™ saw blade has been designed specifically for James Hardie fiber cement. Testing to date appears to suggest that a saw blade designed with fewer teeth generally creates larger dust particles (greater than 10 microns in diameter), thereby reducing the amount of smaller, respirable dust generated and reducing the risk for high exposures of respirable silica. On the other side, testing also suggests that masonry-type blades (such as continuous or segmented diamond rim blades) and abrasive blades are designed differently and create more respirable dust. As a rule of thumb, less teeth equates to lower respirable silica exposures.
Q. If I choose to wear a respirator when cutting James Hardie products, what type of respirator is required to filter out the respirable silica particles most effectively?
A: Our best practices have been designed to help you reduce any hazard risk by utilizing techniques and tools that produce the lowest levels of respirable silica dust without requiring a respirator. However, if you decide to take additional protective measures and use respirators, we require that a NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator with a rating of N95 or better.
It is important to note that OSHA may require a formal respirator program be in place prior to respirator use. A program should include (but is not limited to) training, fit-testing, and medical monitoring. Please consult www.osha.gov to learn more about the requirements for properly implementing a respirator program.