Mr. Retherford's Lecture Notes: These are the lecture notes for the Site Layout lesson. Pictures are located at the bottom under the attachments tab.
1. Discuss the safety concerns involved in F.C.S. installation
A. The dust generated by cutting F.C.S. is a carcinogen which means that long term exposure could cause cancer. People using FCS should wear a dust mask or use cutting methods that will minimize the dust that is generated
B. In order to minimize the dust installers should use approved methods of cutting FCS
i. Electric Hand Shears. Show Picture #1
ii. Specialized Circular Saw Blades: Picture #2
iii. Score and break: Demonstration
2. Describe the properties & composition of F.C.S.
A. Describe the composition of F.C.S
i. F.C.S. is made up of three ingredients: Portland Cement, Sand and Fiberglass
B. Identify the properties of F.C.S.
1. Rot Resistant
2. Non-Combustible (Fire Proof)
3. Resistant to impact damage
4. Helps to improve a structures resistance to wind damage (provides stiffness)
3. Discuss the advantages/disadvantages of F.C.S. in lieu of other exterior finishing systems
A. Explain the advantages:
1. Durability
2. Rot/Termite Resistant
3. Non Combustible – FCS does not burn but it does conduct heat to the framing that it is installed on therefore it does not have a 1 hour fire rating that is required in some instances by building code.
B. Explain the disadvantages
1. Expensive
2. Must be painted unless the pre painted variety is used which is more expensive.
3. Difficult to install correctly
4. Describe the installation concerns and procedures of F.C.S.
A. F.C.S. can be installed on sheathed walls with studs spaced at a maximum of 24”o.c. or on unsheathed walls with studs spaced at a maximum of 16”o.c.
B. F.C.S. cannot contact the ground
C. Before installing F.C.S. moisture resistant paper must applied to either studs or sheathing.
D. Only 6d galvanized, copper, or stainless steel nails or 8-18 screws of the same material may be used to install F.C.S.
E. Cut ends must be primed with alkali resistant paint.
F. Explain need for starter strip. Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 77
G. Install fasteners at least 1” from top edge. Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 83
H. Install fasteners between 3/8” and ½” from edges of planks Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 83
I. Install fasteners between ¾” and 1” from bottom edge of planks when using face nail application Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 84
J. If installing over concrete wall, the wall must be furred out at least 2”
K. Minimum overlap is 1-1/4” on planks. Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 84
L. Planks that form butt joints should loosely contact one another but should not be tight. Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 80
M. Leave 1/8” gap between planks between planks ends and trim pieces to allow for expansion and contraction. Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 83
N. Leave 1” to 2” between roofing and bottom edge of planks. Hardie Plank Installation guide Page 84
Study Questions
Student Name: __________________________________
Date___________________________________________
Objective: This lesson is designed to help you understand what fiber cement siding is. It is also designed to help you learn to install fiber cement siding.
Directions: Please answer the questions on this sheet of paper. Doing this will help you identify the most important parts of the lecture and class discussion concerning the installation of fiber cement siding. The worksheet will be turned in, graded, and returned to you to help you study for your test.
1. Explain the reason for wearing a dust mask when cutting fiber cement siding (F.C.S.)
2. Explain the need for using specialized cutting tools when working with F.C.S.
3. State the ingredients in F.C.S.
4. Will FCS Burn?
5. Why does FCS not meet building code requirements for a 1 hour rating?
6. State the R-Value of F.C.S.
7. Explain three advantages of using FCS.
8. Explain three disadvantages of using F.C.S.
9. State the maximum stud spacing required when installing F.C.S. on sheathed walls.
10. State the maximum stud spacing required when installing F.C.S. on unsheathed walls.
11. List the types of fasteners that can be used to install F.C.S.
12. Explain the need for using a starter strip.
13. State the minimum distance that fasteners can be installed from the top of siding.
14. State the minimum and maximum distance that fasteners can be installed from the edges of siding planks.
15. State the minimum and maximum distance that fasteners can be installed from the bottom of siding when using a face nail application.
16. State the minimum overlap for F.C.S. planks.
17. State the gap size that should be left between FCS siding planks and trim pieces?
18. If FCS is installed over a concrete wall what is the minimum distance that the wall must be furred out.
19. How tightly should butt joints be when installing FCS?
20. State the minimum gap that must be left between roofing and F.C.S. siding.
Installation Procedures
1. Ensure that the wall that will have F.C.S. applied to it is straight.
A. The F.C.S installation will only be as straight as the substrate.
B. Be sure that there are no weak spots in the substrate.
2. Install flashing in proper areas prior to application of Moisture Barrier.
A. At least 2” of flashing should be visible at steps, driveways, decking material and roofs.
B. At least ¼” of clearance between F.C.S. and all horizontal flashing.
3. Install moisture resistant barrier over the substrate prior to F.C.S. installation.
4. Apply a 1-1/4” wide strip of F.C.S. a minimum of 6” from the location of the finish grade. This strip will serve as a starter strip and will allow all F.C.S. planks to be installed at a consistent angle.
A. Use a chalk line to ensure that the starter strip is straight.
B. Do not over nail the starter strip because the nails at the bottom of the subsequent course of F.C.S. will penetrate the starter strip.
5. Apply first course of F.C.S., keeping the bottom of the plank flush with the bottom of the starter strip. Be sure to maintain proper nail clearances
A. Nails should be flush with the surface of the F.C.S.
B. Nails should be spaced a maximum of 24” apart.
6. Using a siding gauge to ensure that siding is straight, and face nailing method, apply second course of F.C.S., maintaining the minimum overlap of ¼”.
A. If two people are working as a team installing F.C.S. check to be sure that both gauges are identical.
B. Siding gauges can be manufactured on site but care must be taken to ensure that all are identical.
C. Siding can be kept straight by using a chalk line if a gauge is not available.
7. During the application of the second course apply flashing at butt joints.
A. Flashing should extend 3” on each side of the butt joints and should overlap the preceding course of F.C.S. by a distance of 1”
B. Caulk all butt joints and intersections of planks and trim with acrylic latex caulk.
8. Check measurements every 4-5 courses to ensure that the siding is running parallel to soffit.
A. If siding is not running parallel with soffit correct this by adjusting the plank overlap about 1/8” per course to ensure that the adjustment will not be noticeable.
9. Final course of F.C.S. may have to be ripped in order to maintain proper over lap with preceding course
10. Remove scrap, debris, and leftover material from work area when demonstration is complete.