InstaBidsInstaBids
Skip to content
InstaBids
Menu
Use your AIConnector, agent API and ready promptsOpen in ChatGPTOpen in ClaudeOpen in GrokOpen in GeminiCopies the prompt, then opens
Add InstaBids to ClaudeMCP connector, sign in onceSteps for every assistantFor AI agents
How InstaBids works
Use your AIStart my request

What is Hardie board siding?

Hardie board siding is James Hardie's brand of fiber-cement siding: planks, panels and shingles of cement reinforced with cellulose fiber, used as the outside wall covering of a house.

InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.

By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated

InstaBids assistantAI · builds your written scope with you

What Hardie board siding job do you need done in your home? Describe it once to start your written scope.

Start from a common job
You choose who gets your number
Or send it from your own AIChatGPTClaudeGrokGeminiMore ways
  1. Describe it onceBy chat, or through your own AI assistant, and add photos.
  2. Post it and send itContractors bid in writing on that scope.
  3. Compare line by lineEvery quote is written against the same scope.
  4. You chooseContact details stay hidden until you pick and they confirm.
InstaBids

For your AI assistant

MCP connector · REST API · plain HTML

Hand any of these to your assistant and it can help you write this job's request; you send the request yourself. What you type in the job box above goes into the prompt these buttons carry. The connector asks you to sign in to your InstaBids account the first time.

  • MCP connector URLhttps://instabids.ai/api/agent/mcp
  • Agent API (OpenAPI)https://instabids.ai/openapi.json
  • Start-request linkhttps://instabids.ai/intake?from=glossary-hardie-board-siding&page_type=glossary&job=Install+Hardie+board+siding&utm_source=us&utm_medium=page&utm_campaign=glossary
Open it in your assistantAdd InstaBids as a connector

Every page is plain HTML. Steps for every assistant: add to your assistant.

What are Hardie board siding planks?

Planks are the lap siding in the line: long horizontal boards that overlap course by course. ESR-2290 lists HardiePlank and Artisan lap siding beside shingle panels and single shingles, and gives the three edge shapes of the shingle panels: “Exterior sidings are identified as Hardie®Shingle panels, Hardie®Plank (Cemplank®, Prevail®, and RFC®) lap siding, Artisan® Lap Siding, and Hardie®Shingle individual shingles.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “Hardie®Shingle panels are offered in three configurations: half-round, staggered-edge, and square-edge.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

How does the ICC Evaluation Service describe Hardie board siding?

Hardie board is a product name, not a separate material. The ICC Evaluation Service report ESR-2290, revised in May 2026, describes the James Hardie products as fiber-cement exterior wall coverings and names the building-code sections they are evaluated against: “James Hardie fiber-cement panels, plank lap siding, and cladding shingles are used as exterior wall covering.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “The products comply with 2024 IBC Section 1403.9 [2021 and 2018 IBC Section 1403.10 (2015, 2012 and 2009 IBC Sections 1404.10)] and IRC Section R703.10.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

What are the dimensions of Hardie board siding?

In Washington State, the residential building code (WAC 51-51-0703, Section R703.10.2) caps fiber-cement lap siding at 12 inches wide and sets a 1 1/4-inch minimum lap, and the national ICC-ES report ESR-1844 names 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch panel thicknesses: In Washington State, “Fiber-cement lap siding having a maximum width of 12 inches (305 mm) shall comply with the requirements of ASTM C 1186, Type A, minimum Grade II or ISO 8336, Category A, minimum Class 2.” Source: Washington State Legislature, read 2026-10-29. In Washington State, “Lap siding shall be lapped a minimum of 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) and lap siding shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions or shall be designed to comply with Section R703.1.” Source: Washington State Legislature, read 2026-10-29. “When tested in accordance with ASTM E96, products with a thickness of 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) and 5/16 inch (7.5 mm) have permeance values given in Table 3.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

What is Hardie board siding made of?

It is made of cement reinforced with cellulose fiber. ESR-2290 names that mix for the plank and shingle products, and the companion report ESR-1844 gives a nominal density of 83 pounds per cubic foot for the panel products: “The exterior sidings are single-faced, cellulose fiber–reinforced cement (fiber-cement) products.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “They have a nominal density of 83 lbs/ft 3 (1332 kg/m3); a flame-spread index of 0 and a smoke-developed index of 5 or less when tested in accordance with ASTM E84; and are classified as noncombustible when tested in accordance with ASTM E136.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

Can you paint Hardie board siding?

Yes, the boards are made to take a top coat. ESR-2290 says the planks and shingles ship either already coated or uncoated for a compatible exterior-grade top coat, and that the finish follows the maker's application instructions: “Hardie®Shingle panels, Hardie®Plank (Cemplank®, Prevail®, and RFC®) lap siding, Artisan® Lap Siding, and Hardie®Shingle individual shingles are supplied either coated, or uncoated for subsequent application of a compatible exterior-grade top coat.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “Trim and corners must be installed, and the siding must be finished in accordance with the manufacturer’s application instructions.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

How long does Hardie board siding last?

No brand-specific figure appears in the sources read for this page. A February 2007 National Association of Home Builders survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers grouped fiber cement with the outside materials expected to last as long as the house, and noted that upkeep matters: “Brick, vinyl, engineered wood, stone (both natural and manufactured), and fiber cement will last as long the house exists.” Source: National Association of Home Builders and Bank of America Home Equity (copy hosted by the Port of Seattle), read 2026-10-29. “Many of the people interviewed emphasized that the life expectancy of housing components is greatly affected by the quality of maintenance.” Source: National Association of Home Builders and Bank of America Home Equity (copy hosted by the Port of Seattle), read 2026-10-29.

Is Hardie board siding fire resistant?

The evaluation report lists two fire tests: a Class A rating with a flame-spread index of 0 under ASTM E84, and a noncombustible classification under ASTM E136. It states those results, not a promise that a wall cannot burn: “The products comply with ASTM C1186, as Grade II, Type A; are Class A rated with a flame-spread index of 0 and a smoke-developed index of less than 5 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84; and are classified as noncombustible when tested in accordance with ASTM E136.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

Is Hardie board siding waterproof?

The report does not call the siding waterproof or rely on it alone to keep water out. It requires a code-complying water-resistive barrier behind the boards, under IRC Section R703.2, and flashing at every opening and edge: “The sidings must be installed over a code-complying water-resistive barrier and as noted in this report.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “Flashing must be installed at all penetrations and terminations in accordance with the applicable code.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

Can Hardie board siding touch the ground?

No. ESR-2290 requires a 6-inch gap between the siding and the soil, and a smaller gap of at least 2 inches above paved surfaces such as a patio or driveway in the maker's Zone 5 areas: “A clear distance of 6 inches (152 mm) must be maintained between the siding and the earth.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “For installation above paved surfaces in areas designated as Hardie™ Zone 5 (HZ5®), a distance of not less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) must be maintained.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

Can Hardie board siding be installed vertically?

Yes, the panel products can run up the wall. The ESR-1844 report says the large panels go on with the long side parallel or perpendicular to the framing, and that Soffit & Panel is made for board and batten on vertical walls: “Hardie® Soffit & Panel is intended to be used in board and batten applications on vertical wall surfaces.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29. “The panels are applied with the long dimension either parallel or perpendicular to framing.” Source: ICC Evaluation Service, read 2026-10-29.

Sources

Related pages

Related pages

Start my requestUse your AI