Some manufacturers do not require the metal flashing therefore we caulk the butt joint to keep the pieces together and also prevent moisture.
Caulking for fiber cement siding.
Flashing acts as a waterproofing layer for this type of siding and caulking will prevent the flashing from doing its job.
Do not caulk fiber cement butt joints edges.
Caulk is usually used with fiber cement siding to prevent water intrusion at the butt joints.
Install the next piece so its end butts lightly against the first photo 7 inset.
The specification to omit caulk at siding butt joints is for new installations and is discussed in detail by the manufacturer.
However this detail may not be effective at sealing the ends allowing water to be absorbed and swell the board ends.
Check the caulking specifications provided in the installation guide by the manufacturer for your specific siding product.
Trim boards wood windows.
Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur.
Fiber cement boards are caulked only when there is no metal flashing behind them.
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.
Measure and cut to length the first piece of siding and nail it in place photo 7.
Applying caulk to the butt joint is ineffective because the gap is not large enough to accommodate the sealant.
But you are correct that it is very difficult to paint.
We only caulk butt joints on cedar siding if previously caulked.
A mark parlee a general contractor in des moines iowa responds in my experience water that gets trapped against fiber cement sidingcan be absorbed by the material causing joints to swell and shrink during freeze thaw cycles.
Many professionals like those at james hardie also agree that you should not use caulk on fiber cement siding unless there is no metal flashing underneath.
Gap where the end meets the corner board photo 7 inset and make sure the other end lands on a stud line.
What you want to use is a silicone caulk because it s the most permanent one.
It s got good adhesion and expands and contracts.