terry wrote:
Understand that this is a cement based product; brochures advise it
comes in various sizes and patterns.

My neighbour has installed hardi-Plank of the type most similar to
conventional wooden clapboard, on the two ends of an A-frame summer
home; in recommended manner and it is painted.

He has noticed some 'crumbling' of the leading edges of some of these
clap-'boards'.

So now we are wondering; did the product got wet while in storage
before sale; and frost has now (a couple of winters later) caused the
edges to erode. Or was it a 'bad batch'?

Perhaps there are are/is basic problems with the product? It is
advertised as 'resisting', cold, fire, damp, insects etc. That seems
fair enough; cos nothing, except perhaps seam welded stainless steel,
would be 'impervious'?

Hardi-Plank and/or similar products would, on the face of it, seem to
be ideal. making house somewhat fireproof, as quiet as wood clapboard
compared to vinyl siding in our, at times, high winds and can be
installed in/with pretty conventional manner/tools?

Any comments advice or opinion about this type of product would be
appreciated; for example had been thinking of using it as replacement
for 10 inch (8 inch reveal) clap-board on our 60' by 36' single storey
bungalow. But if edges 'crumble' not so sure.

haven't heard of or seen crumbling edges before. that would definitely
be a warranty issue.

the advantages of CF siding is that it comes pre painted in more
interesting colors than vinyl. it can also be repainted if you get
tired of that purple house. it holds paint very well. should last
basically forever. definitely better than vinyl.

it does has it's disadvantages. it sucks to install..it's heavy and
fragile--plan on breaking a few sticks until you get used to it. it
doesn't detail well. you can cut it with a regular saw and a blade
made for hardiplank, but the dust will ruin it eventually (and ruin
you,by the way). can be cut by scoring and snapping or shears. you
will need to get a coil siding nailer--i've never had luck hand nailing
it. it is meant to be blind nailed, so it is sort of flappy after it's
put up. it ain't cheap either. we're paying about 1.50/sq ft for the
material.

on my house, when i get to it, i'm using cedar.