[Robby Brown]

I am buying a house with hardiplank siding and one side of the house there are gap between the planlk which was caulked. How much space should be between the hardiplanks to avoid gaps with caulking?

 

[josall]

They don'r recommend at field butt joints see install instructions; http://www.jameshardie.com/pdf/install/hardieplank-hz10.pdf

 

[Tom Struble]

but at one time they did and i think it was 1/8'',now they say moderate contact and use seam flashing,the ends need to be factory to factory or if cut they need to be primed

 

[kwikfishron]

If your existing Hardi doesn’t have seam flashing then defiantly caulk the joints.

Not sure why the changed the rules on butt joints other than ascetics. They only say “not recommended” on the primed product and not “don’t do it“.

It’s tough for me to walk away from opened up butt joints flashed or not.

 

[Tom Struble]

i'd use a piece of coils stock thats color matched,i'm not a believer in surface or blind or back caulking

 

[kwikfishron]

It’s all ugly.

 

[Tom Struble]

that's subjective,does it do what it's intended to do?did the h.o get their money's worth? these are the questions on the merits of a siding install

 

[kwikfishron]

Not talking value, just personal taste Tom.

I just prefer the way things used to look.

 

[Tom Struble]

i understand i have my preferences too,but like you i don't let that stand in the way of a good install no matter what the material

 

[Gary in WA]

http://www.jameshardie.com/pdf/USTB_Joint-Flashing-at-Field-Butt-Joints.pdf

Gary