Ever look at your house over on 4700 South and wonder why the old siding is cracking or fading under that brutal Utah summer sun? Our local climate swings from freezing, snowy winters to dry, scorching summers, and standard wood or cheap vinyl just takes a beating. That is why so many homeowners around Taylorsville are switching to James Hardie fiber cement. James Hardie fiber cement stands up to our wild temperature shifts without warping or rotting. But installing and maintaining James Hardie fiber cement is a different beast altogether. Majestic Siding Solutions will break down what you actually need to know before, during, and after the project, keeping in mind what you can handle yourself and what requires a professional crew.
Before the Project: Prep Work and Planning
Before a single plank of James Hardie fiber cement gets delivered to your driveway, you need a solid game plan. Homeowners can definitely save some cash by doing the initial legwork themselves. Walk around your house and take inventory of rot, pest damage, or moisture issues hiding behind your current siding. You can pull down old shutters, disconnect exterior light fixtures, and take down any old house numbers to prep the walls. Just be careful if your home was built before the 1980s, because lead paint testing is a must before you start tearing anything off. What you should not try to do yourself is measure for materials or calculate waste factors. James Hardie fiber cement is heavy, expensive, and cutting it wrong ruins the budget fast. Leave the final take-offs and material orders to the professionals who deal with James Hardie fiber cement every single day.
During the Project: Installation Realities
When installation day rolls around, things get loud and messy fast. If you are thinking about hanging James Hardie fiber cement yourself over a weekend with a buddy, we are going to stop you right there. James Hardie fiber cement weighs a ton, requires specialized diamond-blade shears or saws to cut without creating a massive silica dust cloud, and demands a specific fastening technique. Miss a stud or nail it too flush, and you will crack the board or void the manufacturer warranty. A good crew at Majestic Siding Solutions will get the house wrapped, flashing installed properly around your Taylorsville windows, and the James Hardie planks leveled and hung right the first time. Your main job during this phase is to keep the driveway clear for the delivery trucks, keep pets locked safely inside away from the noise, and stay out of the way while the team is running high-powered nail guns.
After the Project: Upkeep and Care
Once the dust settles and your home looks brand new, you might think you are completely done. James Hardie fiber cement is low maintenance, but James Hardie fiber cement is not totally maintenance-free. Homeowners can easily handle the basic post-install chores themselves. Wash the dust and grime off once a year using a standard garden hose and a soft-bristled brush, but never blast high-pressure water directly at the horizontal joints or you will force moisture right behind the wall. Keep an eye on the caulking around your trim and windows, especially on the west-facing sides of your house that catch the worst of the afternoon heat. If you spot a small crack or need to touch up a spot where a stray baseball hit the wall, grab a small can of James Hardie touch-up paint and dab it on. For anything structural, or if you notice shifting down the road, give Majestic Siding Solutions a call. For homes and businesses in Taylorsville, Majestic Siding Solutions provides James Hardie fiber cement services.