For additional information on finishing james hardie products download technical bulletin 22 from here.
Best caulk for hardie plank siding.
On most new homes the trim goes up after the siding is installed which creates a large gap that should not be caulked.
Caulking sealant must be applied in accordance.
James hardie does not recommend the use of caulk at field butt joints.
Re applying caulking when it has begun to show signs of wear can help keep moisture from getting into the wall cavity.
A high quality paintable caulk is recommended.
Do not use stains or oil based alkyd paints on james hardie products.
Once all caulk is dry and your siding is clean you ll paint hardie plank with a high quality exterior grade acrylic latex.
For best results use caulks that comply with either astm c 834 or astm c 920.
James hardie recommends the use of caulks and sealants that remain permanently flexible.
0 312 in x 8 25 in x 144 in hardieplank primed woodgrain lap fiber cement siding panel.
Trim boards that sit on top the siding.
For best results use an elastomeric joint sealant complying with astm c920 grade ns class 25 or higher or a latex joint sealant complying with astm c834.
Hardy plank cannot be stained.
In the old days the builder would install the trim bring the siding up to it and caulk the corner.
When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product.
This step will ensure that no moisture gets in at the joints and causes deterioration.
Fiber cement siding repair or patching.
For regular hardiplank lap siding the kind you paint after installation caulking at butt joints is optional.
This from installation instructions.