Hardboard Siding Installation

Measure the desired wall or walls where you want to install the hardboard siding to calculate the total footage and determine the number of pieces you need. Multiply the width of each wall by its height to determine the square footage. Add the area of the sides of the house to determine the total area.

Apply two coats of paint over the lower surface of each piece of hardboard siding. Allow each coat of paint to dry thoroughly. Painting the siding prevents moisture from seeping in and causing rot or fungus development.

Snap a chalk line 6 inches upward from the ground on a wall to form a guideline from where the installation will begin.

Mount a vertical starter strip at an exterior corner. Hold the lumber vertically against the wall and secure it using nails. Repeat this process along the other corners of the house.

Run a stud finder over the exterior wall to locate wall studs. Most wall studs are typically 16 inches apart.

Hold the first length of hardboard siding against a corner. Insert a nail through the siding that penetrates the stud and secures it to the wall. Pound nails every 1-foot upward along the board, and 16 inches apart so they penetrate the wall studs. Hammer the nail until the heads fall slightly below the level of the surrounding siding suface.

Cut siding to fit around doors or windows with a circular saw. Repeat the process of installing hardboard siding so you cover each wall, in turn.

Apply a bead of caulk into gaps between the siding and house to cover the holes. Wet your finger and press it over the caulk to spread it into the gap and level its top. Also, caulk the gaps between the nail heads and siding surface. When the caulk dries, sand it lightly to smooth its surface and apply a shade of paint identical to the siding over it. This helps the caulk blend with the siding surface.