Hardie Boards are trademarked products of James Hardie Industries® PLC, a renowned building materials company in the US and the largest global manufacturer of fiber-cement products.
Many variations of Hardie boards are available for sale, but not all of them perform the same function. For instance, some Hardie boards can serve as siding, others soffit, while a few can be used for fascia.
Known for their sustainable designs, durability, and reasonable offering prices, Hardie boards are one of the best building products on the market.
It doesn’t matter what type of project you embark on; there’s probably a model of Hardie board out there that can be used in your work.
Our main focus for this article is fascia, to be more precise, whether Hardie boards can be used for fascia. So, keep reading if this is your topic of interest.
Is Hardie Board Good for Fascia?
As I suggested earlier, not all types of Hardie boards are good for fascia. The best model or type of Hardie board to use for fascia is the HardieTrim® NT3 board.
HardieTrim® NT3 boards are mostly for decorative use. They can serve as frieze boards, rake trims, band boards, and, as you already know, fascia.
These boards can be fastened over sub-fascia or directly to rafter tails. They are usually 12 inches long, which is great because you’d have fewer seams when you install them.
Their distinctive height is also a great feature because it ensures a speedy installation. In case you haven’t noticed, shorter fascia boards take longer to install than lengthy ones.
With a composition of Portland cement, cellulose fiber, ground sand, additives, and water, these boards are super durable and can withstand weather elements.
HardieTrim® NT3 boards come in the following widths,
- 3-1/2 inches
- 4-1/2 inches
- 5-1/2 inches
- 7-1/4 inches
- 11-1/4 inches
You can get these boards in eight colors, Monterey, Navajo beige, khaki brown, timber bark, taupe, sailcloth, arctic white, and cobblestone.
The size of the HardieTrim® NT3 board you go with depends on the type and magnitude of the project you wish to embark on.
Consult a James Hardie representative if you want to use a Hardie board that’s not the HardieTrim® NT3 board for fascia.
Also, it is worthy of mention that only stainless-steel finish nails should be used to reinforce or secure Hardie Trim boards.
What Else Can Be Used for Fascia?
Asides from Hardie Trim boards, several other building materials can be used for fascia, they are vinyl, aluminum, composite, and the list goes on.
You will find below a detailed breakdown of the materials that can be used for fascia.
1.WOOD
Wood has been a traditional and popular choice for fascia for a pretty long time because of its natural appeal and unwavering availability.
Pinewood and spruce were once widely preferred by homeowners to cedar wood for fascia, now, it’s the other way around.
It’s not much of a surprise why cedar is currently seen as the best wood option for fascia. It has so many remarkable qualities that make it well-suited for this purpose.
Pros
• Pocket-friendly option
• Versatile
• Aesthetically Pleasing
• Easy to Install
Cons
• Prone to warping and susceptible to insect attacks
• Not a very efficient weather resistive barrier.
• Costs a lot to maintain
2. VINYL
Vinyl is the short form of Polyvinyl Chloride. A fascia board made of vinyl is more durable than one made of wood.
Vinyl comprises plasticizers that enable it to be flexible. It can be installed over wood fascia to enhance its durability.
Pros
• Easy to Install
• Highly Durable
• Resistant to water, pest intrusions, and rot
• Cheap to maintain
• Inexpensive
Cons
• Expands and shrinks during climatic changes
• Fades from sunlight exposure
3. ALUMINIUM
Aluminum fascia can be used alone or on a wood fascia as a covering to offer additional protection and extend the lifespan of the fascia. It is super flexible and strong.
Installing an aluminum fascia isn’t easy to DIY, so ensure you contact a roofing expert to handle the job.
Pros
• Versatile
• Requires low maintenance
• Less likely to depreciate
• Weatherproof
Cons
• Expensive to purchase
• Expensive to Install
4. COMPOSITE
As the name implies, Composite fascia is made up of many materials like; recycled wood chips, sawdust, plastic, and epoxy resin. The epoxy resin is the substance that binds and holds all the materials together.
Composite fascia boards aren’t like other types of fascia boards, but they are super efficient.
Pros
• Eco-friendly
• Very durable
• Rot-resistant
• Requires low maintenance
Cons
• The most expensive of all the types of fascia.
• Difficult to repair
Should You Check Your Building Code?
You have all to gain and nothing to lose from checking your building code before starting a construction project. Building codes contain safety regulations that guide the erection of structures.
Failure to adhere to the building code of your county or city can lead to penalties and/or fines. Here’s why building codes are important to every DIYer, contractor, and builder,
- Building codes provide minimum standards for the design and construction of non-building and building structures.
- They promote public health by ensuring that built structures are conducive and congenial.
- The regulations entailed in these codes also help reduce casualties as they ensure structural safety.
- Building codes help reduce damages during natural disasters by providing guidelines that ensure structures are strong and resistant to external forces.
- They also help reduce maintenance costs by aiding in the protection of buildings from fire incidences and undue structural deterioration.
In the United States, the ICC (International Code Council) is one of the most trusted regulatory bodies when it comes to building safety. The following codes are developed by this body.
1. International Building code (IBC): Regulations for new infrastructures or buildings are covered under this code.
2. International Residential Code (IRC): Specifications under the IRC mostly apply to family buildings or residential units not more than 2-stories high.
3. International Existing Building Codes (IEBC): As the name implies, this code is for already erected buildings or structures.
4. International Zoning Code (IZC): This code is mostly for new structures, it contains foundational zoning information or requirements.
Both national and international building codes don’t really say much about fascia installations or replacements; this is because these materials are pretty straightforward to work with.
The above point is also why fascia installations or replacements rarely require a building regulatory body’s approval.
If you’re using a Hardie board for fascia, ensure you go through the James Hardie Written Application Instructions alongside your local building code before you get to work.
Furthermore, visit www.hardiezone.com to check or confirm if the Application Instructions you have are for your zone.
Final Thoughts
We hope we’ve been able to give you a satisfactory answer on whether a Hardie board can be used for fascia.
Don’t forget to contact a James Hardie representative for a go-ahead if you plan on using a different model of Hardie board for the fascia of your home.
Check out our other articles on fascia if you need more information on this topic. We also have lots of resources on other related building materials.
Sources
architectmagazine.com/technology/products/james-hardie-hardietrim-nt3-boards_o
jameshardiepros.com/getattachment/a358bb20-0c5a-4cb0-bea7-b1de57a6d5af/hardietrim-hz5-us-en.pdf
images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/ba/bacf6ee5-49dd-4c2e-912c-3bc27080318d.pdf
