Re: GBlist: Hardiboard or other alternatives?

[Jonathan D Meyer <jonathanmeyer@juno.com>]

>I'm trying to decide whether to use wood siding or something like
Hardiplank
>on the house.  Lots of people are telling me to use the latter, b/c it
>supposedly requires less frequent painting and is fire resistant and
lasts
>forever.  It's also very hazardous to work with (need to wear a
respirator
>while cutting it).  And of course whenever the stuff comes off again one
>day, it will all go sit forever in a landfill.

	I have installed Hardiplank and do not believe it is - very -
hazardous to work with. It does require a respirator while cutting but
that is recommended for cutting wood as well. I have a reaction to
Western Red Cedar whenever I cut much of it. I know WRC isn't very
sustainable at present but it is more sustainable to use it to repair
existing cedar siding or add onto existing dwellings than to tear off
good cedar siding and replace it with a more "sustainable" siding.

	Another advantage to the cement board sidings is that they don't
require strong primer/sealers applied over knots. Not only can you avoid
exposure from breathing the primer but it saves a lot of time that is
required to properly prime all the knots. (This could be avoided by using
clear (knot free) lumber but who is willing to do that?)

	I don't have any problem with cement board scrap going to the
landfill now or all the siding when its life cycle is over. It is inert.
Every siding we use has waste.

	You can also cut cement board with shears which can be done
without dust or wearing a respirator. I have been on sites where they
were being used but I have not used them myself. Two companies that make
them are Kett Tool Company (513) 271-0333 and "Snapper Steel Head" (800)
297-7487. We will use one of these on our next project because we are fed
up with the clouds of dust from the circular saw.

	I would be interested to know of differences in the manufacturing
process between Hardiplank, Cemplank, CertainTeed and other cementboard
manufacturers. Do any of the others import wood fiber from abroad, etc.?

Jonathan Meyer
Meyer Sons Builders
Edgewater, Md
(410) 956-4565
Green Builders and Remodelers

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