Application/Installation
Question 1
What are the different James Hardie™ building products and its recommended applications?
Answer
HardieFlex® Ceilings can be easily installed in the living room, bedroom, bathroom, attic, loft, basement, corridor, kitchen, and garage ceilings where a more quality stringent finish is required.
HardieFlex® Walls can be used for vertical partitions and for bedroom, living room, corridor, and dining area walls.
HardieFlex® Wet area can be used for bathrooms, restrooms, kitchens, interior gardens, washing and laundry areas.
HardieFlex® Senepa is used as backing for roof gutters and to enhance roof designs.
HardieFlex® Eaves are used with an extension of the roof over the side of the house.
HardiePlank™ Siding adds protection and design value to a home. It can be used both externally and internally as design accent to a home.
Question 2
Can we install HardieFlex® ceilings, walls and wet area walls with the same nailing pattern as plywood?
Answer
No. HardieFlex® ceilings, walls and wet area walls should be installed with nails 50mm from the corner to avoid break-outs on the corners. Nails must be 12mm from the edge and 200mm (8") on centers across the body of the sheet and along supporting edges.
Question 3
Is it alright to cut HardieFlex® fiber cement boards with a handsaw?
Answer
No. Use HardieFlex® scoring knife for cutting HardieFlex® fiber cement boards. A handsaw will become blunt after cutting through any James Hardie™ building product. Other alternatives would be to use a circular saw with a HardieBlade saw blade or a hand guillotine. If you are cutting outdoors, position your cutting station in such a way that the wind will blow dust away from you. It is also advisable to use a dust-reducing circular saw connected to a vacuum with HEPA filter, and wear an N95 dust mask when sanding, rebating, drilling, or other machining works.
Question 4
Can I use HardieFlex® ceilings on internal wall applications?
Answer
Yes. HardieFlex® sheets with a minimum thickness of 4.5mm can be used for internal walls in residential applications. It can also be used for other applications such as ceilings and eaves. We do not recommend HardieFlex® 3.5mm for internal walls applications. However, for high traffic areas, such as commercial establishments, minimum sheet thickness of 6.0mm is recommended for extra impact resistance.
Question 5
What is the minimum thickness of light gauge steel studs required to install HardieFlex®fiber cement boards?
Answer
For most HardieFlex® boards, the recommended light gauge steel stud thickness is 0.55mm BMT (Base Metal Thickness) or 0.60mm Nominal Finished Thickness. The maximum recommended thickness is 1.60mm BMT.
For HardiePlank™ siding, the recommended light gauge steel stud thickness is 0.8mm BMT.
For HardieFlex® Flooring, the minimum steel stud thickness should be 1.2mm BMT.
Question 6
What is the recommended size of timber frame for HardieFlex® fiber cement board (6mm thick)?
Answer
For partition, use a 2' x 3' kiln-dried softwood timber with a minimum stud width of 35mm. For ceilings, use a 2' x 2' kiln-dried softwood timber with a minimum stud width of 35mm
Question 7
What kind of HardieFlex® fiber cement board should be used if tiles are to be applied to it?
Answer
A minimum thickness of 6.0mm HardieFlex® sheet must be used, you can also use HardieFlex® 9.0mm and 12.0mm depending on the size and weight of the tiles intended to be installed.
| HardieFlex® Wet Area Walls (mm) | Maximum Tile Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|
| 6 | 13 |
| 9 | 18 |
| 12 | >25* |
| * Support angles are recommended | |
Question 8
Can I install HardieFlex® 3.5mm on timber and steel frames?
Answer
Yes, HardieFlex® 3.5mm can be fixed to both timber and steel frames.
Question 9
Can we use HardieFlex® fiber cement boards as underlay for roof shingles?
Answer
We do not recommend HardieFlex® sheets for such applications.
Question 10
Can we install HardiePlank™ cladding direct to masonry?
Answer
Yes, HardiePlank™ cladding may be installed directly to masonry using a pointed screw 8 x 38mm in conjunction with a plastic anchor.
Question 11
Can we use HardieFlex® fiber cement boards for structures near the shore?
Answer
Yes, HardieFlex® fiber cement boards can be used for structures near the seashore. However, damp, shady situations, agriculture, or sea spray environments may induce an extra tendency for mold growth. Use mold inhibiting and alkaline resistant undercoats and always consult the paint manufacturer for maximum mold resistant paints. Ensure that the fasteners (nails and screws) have the required level of durability for the local environment.
Question 12
Can HardieFlex® fiber cement boards be used for curved walls?
Answer
Yes, here are some recommendations for such applications:
- The minimum bending radius for HardieFlex® ceilings and walls is 1.2m along the length and 1.8m along the width.
- The minimum bending radius for HardieFlex® wet area walls is 1.8m along the length and 2.4m along the width.
- To maintain the smoothness of the curved wall, studs are required at maximum spacings as shown below:
| Range of Radii (mm) | Stud spacing (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1200 | 150 |
| 1201 - 1800 | 200 |
| 1801 - 3000 | 300 |
| 3001 - 20000 | 450 |
| Above 20000 | 600 |
Question 13
Can HardieFlex® fiber cement boards be used for flooring?
Answer
Yes, you can use HardieFlex® Flooring 16.0mm as a flooring substrate for internal residential applications. You can directly apply floor finishes onto HardieFlex® Flooring such as tiles, vinyl, wood laminates, linoleum and carpet.
Question 14
Can we use HardieFlex® sheets as linings for ovens?
Answer
No, you cannot use HardieFlex® sheets as linings for ovens. Although HardieFlex® sheets can be subjected to high temperature, frequent and/or regular exposure to such temperatures will eventually damage the boards.
Question 15
Can HardieFlex® Flooring be used as an external application; e.g. deck, terrace, patio, etc.?
Answer
HardieFlex® Flooring can only be used as an internal application for homes such as lofts, second floors, attics, mezzanines, and toilet and bath area
Question 16
Is HardieFlex® Flooring applicable to toilet and bath areas?
Answer
Yes, but a third party waterproofing system must be applied in the whole area.
You can view or download our installation guide here: http://www.jameshardie.com.ph/... Refer to the third party waterproofing system manufacturer on their warranty, suitability and installation instructions.
Question 17
Is it okay to use HardieFlex® Flooring for stairs and stairs landing?
Answer
Yes, as long as the four sides are fully supported and its width of support will not be more than 300mm. It must also be covered with a floor finish.
Question 18
It is okay to use HardieFlex® Flooring as the finished flooring?
Answer
No, HardieFlex® Flooring is meant to be a flooring substrate for internal residential applications. Using it as the finished flooring will scratch the coating of the board and damage the board itself, so a floor finish such as tiles, vinyl, wood laminates, or carpet must be laid over it.
