The process of cutting Hardie board depends greatly on what tools you have, how accurate you need to be, and how fast you want to go. While power saws make it a lot easier, it is possible to cut cement boards by hand. Either way, follow the steps we’ve outlined in this guide on how to cut fiber cement board and Hardie board.
Full Answer
Do you need a special blade to cut Hardie board?
· Do you need a special blade to cut Hardie board? Cement Board-Cutting Tools For some types of Hardie board, you’ll need a power tool with a cement board blade with a carbide tip to cut the board. Carbide-tipped blades are made specifically for this kind of work. Once prepared, cut the Hardie board as you would any other material.
What kind of saw blade to cut Hardie board?
Question: What Saw Blade To Cut Hardie Board – BikeHike
- Carbide-tipped blades are made specifically for this kind of work. Cut the Hardie board outside, because the dust released as the board is being cut can pose a safety hazard. ...
- Do you need a special blade to cut Hardie board? ...
- Do not use a hole saw to cut a hole in Hardie board. ...
- Product Overview. ...
How to cut Hardie board in two different ways?
- Lay your backer board out on a work table or between two sawhorses. ...
- Mark where you’d like to cut the board.
- Like the score and snap method, set a straightedge across your sheet.
- Wait for the saw blade to warm up and come to full RPM before starting your cut.
How to cut a wide board with a miter saw?
What Size Board Will a Miter Saw Cut?
- Miter Saw. A saw with a 10-inch blade makes right-angle cuts across a board 5 1/2 inches wide, sufficient for two-by-six lumber.
- Compound Miter Saw. The motor housing and blade of a compound miter tilt in place as well as swivel. ...
- Sliding Compound Miter Saw. ...
How do you cut Hardie board by hand?
0:587:44The Best Ways To Cut Cement Backerboard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can get a utility knife or you can even get a card but a carbide cutter score the backer boardMoreYou can get a utility knife or you can even get a card but a carbide cutter score the backer board on a mark.
Can you use a regular saw blade to cut Hardie board?
Can you use a wood or concrete blade to cut James Hardie siding? You shouldn't use a wood blade to cut Hardie or other fiber cement siding. The higher teeth-per-inch count creates more fine dust particles.
What is the best tool to cut Hardie board?
A carbide-tipped scoring knife is recommended, but you can also use a utility knife or shears. Never use a high-speed grinder to cut cement board indoors, since this can create a dust hazard.
Do you need a special saw to cut Hardie board?
You can use a jigsaw, table saw or circular saw, or another tool, as long as it's equipped with the right kind of blade. Once prepared, cut the Hardie board as you would any other material. Mark your line; align the board against the guard as needed and slowly but firmly make the cut.
What is the best way to cut Hardie board siding?
2:102:44Cutting James Hardie Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's inside of the cement base siding product but the best way to cut it is to score and snapMoreThat's inside of the cement base siding product but the best way to cut it is to score and snap method. And that all you need is utility knife.
Do you need a special blade to cut cement board?
Fit the jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade or a carbide-grit blade. Cement is a tough material to use a jigsaw to cut through, so you need to use the right blade for the job. Use a metal-cutting blade or a carbide-grit blade to cut through the board.
Can you cut Hardie board with a wood blade?
There are a few different power tools that you can use to cut cement backer board. Again, these will produce lots of dust, so protect yourself with goggles and a respirator. For straight cuts, use a circular saw fitted with a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade, pushing the saw into the material with slow, even pressure.
Can you use a multi tool to cut cement board?
0:020:54How to cut cement board with a multi-tool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThings to do with a multi-tool i've got a 35 millimeter carbide tip blade it's actually a metalMoreThings to do with a multi-tool i've got a 35 millimeter carbide tip blade it's actually a metal buster. But the guys at smart discovered that this is ideal in cement board check this.
Can I cut cement board with a circular saw?
Circular saws, while more often used to cut wood, can also make quick and clean cuts in cement board—and are often conveniently on hand in the workshops of DIY-savvy homeowners.
What is the best way to cut fiber cement siding?
2:025:05How to Cut and Install Fiber-Cement Siding | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTools different ways that you can actually cut the fiber cement here's actually a shear. That willMoreTools different ways that you can actually cut the fiber cement here's actually a shear. That will cut the siding. And through this little slot.
How do you cut Hardie cladding?
4:547:58James Hardie HardiePlank® cladding installation video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIssues after cutting it to the correct length you need to make sure that you paint the ends that youMoreIssues after cutting it to the correct length you need to make sure that you paint the ends that you've cut with the color plus touch-up paint your next step is to install your ventilation strip.
What side of cement board do you cut?
Cement board has a smooth face and a rough one, and the rough face should be facing out if you're using mortar or thinset to adhere the tiles. Tile mastic, on the other hand, sticks better to a smooth surface, so the smooth side should be facing out if that's what you're using to adhere the tiles.
Can you cut Hardie board with a wood blade?
There are a few different power tools that you can use to cut cement backer board. Again, these will produce lots of dust, so protect yourself with goggles and a respirator. For straight cuts, use a circular saw fitted with a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade, pushing the saw into the material with slow, even pressure.
Will masonry blade cut Hardie board?
That's a stone/tile/masonry cutting blade with a diamond 'turbo' rim. It will work for Hardie Backer board or similar fiber-cement products but it'll make a lot of dust, and would almost certainly be awful at cutting any sort of wood or wood paneling - more likely to burn through than cut it.
How do you cut cement board with a jigsaw?
2:555:23Which Jigsaw Blade to Use for Cutting Fiber Cement Panels - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis was not playing around. If you got circles or all shapes to cut that you'll not be able to cutMoreThis was not playing around. If you got circles or all shapes to cut that you'll not be able to cut with a circular saw I suggest you get one of these and you can save money by buying a three pack off
What is the perk of a hardie board?
One perk of the Hardie board is that it comes standard with perforated groves on standard lines, and because of that, cutting the Hardie board is easy .
How to cut a hole in cement board?
If the hole is small enough, the simplest way to cut a hole is to use a carbide-tipped hole saw and a highly reviewed and rated drill. First, draw the outline of your hole on your cement board with a compass.
What is the thickness of cement backer board?
Cement backer board comes in several thicknesses, much like drywall , and is generally made in thicknesses of 1/4”, 7/16”, 1/2”, and 5/8”. You’ll use the thinner boards in areas like countertops. You’ll use the thicker boards behind the shower and kitchen walls.
How many teeth does a carbide tipped saw blade have?
A carbide-tipped blade with as few as six teeth will cut a cement backer board smoothly and quickly. Lay your backer board out on a work table or between two sawhorses. Unlike score and snap, you’ll need to use a surface that allows for a saw blade to go through the board. Mark where you’d like to cut the board.
What does cement backer board look like?
The cement backer board looks and feels somewhat like drywall. You can think of it as its cousin.
How to score a backer board?
Begin by laying your backer board out on a flat surface and mark the line where you’d like to score the board. You can do this with a carpenter’s pencil or use a chalk line. When it’s time to make the cut, set a straightedge across your sheet. Use a level, yardstick, or a leftover piece of scrap lumber.
What is cement board used for?
Cement board is one of the most useful home improvement inventions of the 20th century. It is used as a tile backing board in places where moisture is common, such as your kitchen or bathroom. Once you learn how to cut cement board, you will be able to add walling and tilework to your home.
How to cut a hardie backer board?
Here’s how to perform a straight cut on your HardieBacker Cement Board: 1. Place your HardieBacker Cement Board on a flat surface and mark your cuts with a straight edge. 2. Score along your straight edge, applying firm pressure as you go.
Where to place supports on a hardie backer?
4. Place supports behind your HardieBacker Cement Board on either side of the hole. If the circle is near the edge of the board, additional support may be needed.
Can you use a scoring knife to cut cement board?
First, you’ll want to choose a scoring tool. A carbide-tipped scoring knife is recommended, but you can also use a utility knife or shears. Never use a high-speed grinder to cut cement board indoors, since this can create a dust hazard.
How to contact James Hardie?
Don’t hesitate to contact James Hardie. Complete this form or call James Hardie Technical Services at 800-942-7343 .
Is it important to set up a cutting station?
Setting up your cutting station correctly is just as important as selecting the right tools. James Hardie has collaborated with a number of installers to identify easy setups that are effective, affordable and will help you meet OSHA’s compliance standards. Should you have any questions, we’re prepared to assist crews on-site.
How to cut hardiboard?
This stuff eats saw blades and drill bits for lunch. The best way I have found to cut it is to use a box cutter knife to score the surface and snap it over an edge of a table or similar. The is the same as with sheet rock. The blade will dull after a few cuts but they are relatively inexpensive. Hardiboard absorbs water quickly so make sure you can keep an eye on it so to keep the piece from extreme localized drying.
How to cut straight cuts?
Unless you are doing fancy shapes, straight cuts are easy with a plain old utility knife. Score the board and have a 2x4 along the inner edge of the future cut.
How to score cement board?
You've got two main options. One, is to get a cement board scoring tool from a home improvement store like Lowes. It's got carbide tips on it, and you simply score then line you want on the board several times, and then snap it. They'll probably never go dull like a knife or something. If you're cutting a lot of cement board, you may think about switching out the blade on your circular saw (if you have one) for a cement cutting blade. It's a blade designed specifically for this...it will create a LOT of dust though, so do it outside or something. I use Hardiebacker board in my classroom for wedging surfaces, working bats for projects, and in my home studio. It's a great option because you can get a good number of boards out of each 3'x5' piece. Just make sure to get the 1/2" thickness.
Can you use a carbide saw for cement board?
I experimented a lot with cement board and finally just started using my skill saw with one of the thin carbide tipped framing blades. They're inexpensive and just save that blade for use with your cement board projects. It cuts right through it like butter. Approach it and lay it out just like you would if you were cutting plywood. It's dusty so do it outside and wear safety glasses and a dust mask. You'll have to clean your saw a little when you're done too - of course.
Do clay boards absorb water?
Like Bruzbt said, they absorb water quickly. I sometimes use that to my advantage to quickly dry overly wet clay to a wedgable consistency. I have also used the boards for a throwing bat, like you would use a plaster bat, and found that dipping them into water first helps with getting them to stay stuck down to clay on the wheelhead long enough to complete a piece; then they wick out water on the pot and the pot pops right off the "bat".
Can you snap a table straight?
Just snapping it along a straight edge of a table will make a reasonably straight line for ware boards. I did the score,score and snap, but I realized that I just didn't need that straight of a cut for that much work and blade wear, and sawing generated too much dust for me.
Is Hardi Backer waterproof?
Posted August 11, 2012. Do you know which type and brand of cement board you have, regular Hardi Backer is not waterproof and may have not been used in the shower it just depends on the person who did the job. The cement board that is waterproof is harder to cut and a lot more dust.