What to use when cutting fiber cement?
When cutting fiber cement, it's critical to wear a respirator and/or use a dust-collecting circular saw attached to a shop vac. NIOSH recommends:
What is a good alternative to a PCD blade?
A good alternative to a PCD blade is electric shears, which work like motorized tin snips. While they cut slower than a circular saw, they can make straight and curved cuts without much dust.
What is the diameter of a hose?
A hose that's at least 1.25-inch in diameter with few or now bends.
Can you cut fiber cement with a circular saw?
Cutting fiber-cement with a circular saw produces serious clouds of dust. This dust has a 15-30% crystalline silica content, making it a serious health hazard. The MSDS of one popular fiber cement product warns that repeated inhalation may lead to lung damage, and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) links the inhalation of silica dust to a deadly lung disease called silicosis.
How do I cut fiber cement siding?
The cleanest way to cut fiber cement siding is by using siding shears. Typically siding shears use air pressure to power them and they shear or cut the siding like a pair of scissors. I recommend the Turboshear TSF1A Fiber Cement Pnuematic if you’re looking to buy a pneumatic siding shear.
Can carbide be used on fiber cement?
Carbide blades also work quite well. In fact, every time we’ve done a fiber cement siding job we use carbide blades and reverse the blade direction. Again be sure to wear dust masks and proper eye protection. The dust from fiber cement siding can cause serious health problems if you’re not careful.
Can you use a diamond blade on a circular saw?
Diamond blades are more expensive than carbide blades but they will last much longer cutting cement siding. No matter what type of saw blade you use you need to be very careful about the dust. Be sure to use safety glasses and dust masks. Be sure to check the arbor size on your saw blades before you buy a diamond one to be sure it will fit.
How to measure for a cutout window?
Hold the siding snug under the windowsill and mark the window edge location. Then measure from the chalk line to the top of the siding. Add 1/8 in. to your measurement. This is the width of the cutout.
Why prime a product?
On-site painting looks better up close because the touch-up paint and caulked areas aren’t as noticeable . Primed products are easier and less expensive to install.
What type of nailer do pros use for fiberboard siding?
Pros use pneumatic coil nailers (you can rent one) designed specifically for fiberboard cement siding. They cut nailing time in half. If you go this route, practice first to make sure the nailheads will be set flush.
What is the coating on prefinished fiberglass siding?
Prefinished fiberglass cement siding boards come with a protective plastic coating. To protect the paint from getting scratched during installation, leave the plastic on and make your cuts right through it. Peel away the plastic after the board has been fastened to the wall.
What is fiberboard siding?
Fiberglass cement siding is a composite made of Portland cement, silica and wood fiber. Once painted, it looks almost identical to wood. It’s available in many styles and widths, both smooth and wood textured, and you still get the crisp joints and details that’ll make your home’s exterior stand out. In addition, it’s highly rot and insect resistant, won’t burn and paints beautifully.
Why do you need to kick out flashing?
Kick-out flashing is essential for preventing water from running down a roof and behind the siding on an adjacent wall. You’ll fail your inspection if the inspector doesn’t see it on your job. It’s a pain to work around, but it helps if you don’t nail the flashing tight until you have your siding cut to size. It’s much easier to get a proper fit for a plank if you can shift the flashing beneath it.
How to mark frieze board?
Snap chalk lines to mark the frieze board location and nail treated furring strips along the lines. Keep the bottom strip 1/4 in. above the bottom line.
