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.