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InsightHorizon Digest

Does Hardie board contain asbestos

Author

William Taylor

Updated on March 31, 2026

Since 1987, Hardie products have not contained asbestos; the fiber replacement is organic wood pulp. James Hardie building products installed before 1985 may contain asbestos.

Is Hardie board toxic?

HardiePlank® siding is made from natural and sustainable raw materials: cement, sand, wood fiber, and water. It has no asbestos, glass fibers, or formaldehyde, which makes it a safe building product as well. The materials are low in toxicity; therefore, it does not harm the environment.

What is Hardie board made out of?

What Is Hardie Board Siding. Hardie Board remains the number one siding in America and continues to be the top of the line fiber cement siding. Fiber cement is a composite material comprised of cellulose wood fibers, sand, and water. As such, it is a durable material designed to mimic wood.

When did James Hardie start using asbestos?

In the mid-1980’s, James Hardie pioneered the development of asbestos-free fibre cement technology, and began designing and manufacturing a wide range of fibre reinforced cement building products that made use of the benefits that came from the products’ durability, versatility and strength.

Does Hardie board mold?

It is highly susceptible to mold and mildew. Hardie Plank has many seams and the seams must be sealed or water can infiltrate behind the siding. It can crack and if it does, you must tear the whole wall down in order to replace just one plank. … It is mold and mildew resistant.

Does James Hardie still use asbestos?

James Hardie’s products no longer contain asbestos, but Werfel’s lawyer claimed the company should have done more to alert the public to the existence of asbestos in its old products, which were used in older homes.

Can Hardie board be used inside?

A fiber cement board’s qualities as an exterior siding make it good for interior applications, too. … Made of wood pulp and cement, it is durable, low maintenance, and resistant to fire, bugs, rodents, mold, and moisture. It can be made to look like wood clapboards or shingles, stucco, stone, and brick.

Who is James Hardie asbestos?

Bernie Banton (pictured above) who contracted asbestosis and mesothelioma while employed by James Hardie. Banton became the public face of the legal campaign against his former employer. He was awarded an $800,000 and another undisclosed figure, shortly before he passed away in November 2007.

Is James Hardie still in business?

Hardie retired in 1911 and sold his half of the company to Reid, whose family led the expanding business from 1911 until 1995, when his grandson John B. Reid retired. Today, James Hardie is a world leading manufacturer of premium building products.

How do I know if my siding is asbestos?

How do I know if my roofing or siding contains asbestos? Look for asbestos markings on the roofing or siding material or the packages in which they came, or call the manufacturer. Another alternative is to hire a Minnesota certified asbestos inspector to sample the material and submit it for laboratory analysis.

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Is Hardie board better than wood?

Hardie® siding is available in a texture that has the classic, natural appearance of cedar, while providing you with more benefits. Unlike wood, James Hardie fiber cement is specifically formulated to better resist the damaging effects of sun, moisture, extreme temperatures, pests, and fire.

Which is better Hardie board or vinyl siding?

By contrast, Hardie® fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding. It easily stands up to the elements, resisting damage from wind, rain, freezing temperatures and hail, and gives homes years of protection with low maintenance.

How do you remove mold from hardiplank?

Use your soft sponge or cloth and lightly scrub the mold or mildew with the cleanser. Once it’s clean again, use your water hose to thoroughly rinse the area with water. A man power washing a house. Use caution when using a power washer to clean your fiber cement siding from James Hardie.

Is it safe to power wash Hardie board?

The manufacturer recommends that you do not pressure wash your Hardie siding. The hard spray of water from the power washer can damage the surface of the siding. In fact, pressure washing fiber cement siding is one of the only ways you can damage this durable type of siding.

Is hardiplank and Hardie board the same?

Fiber cement siding is often called “hardiplank” or even “hardie board” named from the most popular brand of fiber cement siding which is manufactured by James Hardie. … It is also installed in much the same way as traditional lapboard or wood siding, as it is nailed directly to your home.

Can you put screws in Hardie board?

Fasten HardieBacker sheets with proper nails or screws (as listed in ”Materials Required” in the backer installation instructions) every 8” around the perimeter and all supporting studs. Keep fasteners between 3/8” and 3/4” from sheet edges and 2” in from sheet corners.

What are the disadvantages of fiber cement siding?

  • It is not available for direct order from the manufacturer. …
  • It comes with a higher labor cost than other materials. …
  • It requires you to re-paint the siding at some point during its lifetime. …
  • It is not a recyclable material.

Can I use Hardie board as shiplap?

While tile is an obvious solution for a kitchen backsplash, shiplap is another option that works great. … So you can get creative and achieve the shiplap look for your backsplash by using a cement fiber board like Hardie Plank.

What happened to Hardie?

More than a decade after public uproar forced asbestos manufacturer James Hardie to return from its new home in the Netherlands and deal with the consequences of its deadly product, the company has been accused of again playing hardball with victims.

Who invented Hardie board?

In the mid 1980s, the siding manufacturing company James Hardie pioneered its development. As the industry leader for decades, James Hardie and Hardie board have pretty much become a synonym for fiber cement siding.

How much is James Hardie worth?

James Hardie Industries net worth as of December 27, 2021 is $18.1B.

Where is HardiePlank made?

The Waxahachie plant produces both interior and exterior fiber cement building products. In addition to producing HardiePlank® HZ10, Waxahachie also produces HardieSoffit®. The Pulaski plant produces both interior and exterior fiber cement building products.

Where is James Hardie manufactured?

In the U.S. James Hardie operates corporate, research, and manufacturing facilities in 10 locations. Manufacturing facilities are located in Illinois, Florida, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

When was hardiplank created?

The company entered the North American market in the early 1990s with the launch of its HardiePlank® lap siding product, which ignited a substantial shift in siding technology and product choice over the ensuing decades, according to Dave Donofrio, James Hardie Director of Products and Segments.

What was the James Hardie case?

The High Court has ruled that seven former James Hardie non-executive directors breached corporate law by making a misleading statement about the company’s asbestos compensation fund.

Are Hardie panels non combustible?

Yes, HardieBacker® 1/4″ Cement Board is deemed noncombustible when tested to ASTM E 136 and can be used in conjunction with other noncombustible materials around a fireplace.

What does Hardie mean?

Definition of hardie : a blacksmith’s fuller or chisel having a square shank for insertion into a hole in the anvil.

Do homes built in the 1920s have asbestos?

The houses, which were an average of 80 years old, contained asbestos, used widely as fireproofing material and insulation between the 1920s and mid-1970s, mostly in the basements, wrapped around heating ducts, pipes and water heaters.

How much exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma?

Out of all people with heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos, 2% to 10% develop pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure, which is when tumors have grown and spread.

How can you tell if cement siding has asbestos?

Asbestos cement sheeting or fibro will produce a sharp or clicking sound when tapped by a car key indicating a very hard and brittle, high-density product. Using hand pressure, the head of a screwdriver will not penetrate the surface and will usually just scratch paint off.

Do termites eat Hardie board?

Hardie Board siding resists pests including termites and carpenter ants. It’s also woodpecker resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the hassles of repairing termite or woodpecker damage.