Key takeaways
- Nails are the manufacturer’s standard. James Hardie’s instructions call for blind nailing lap siding on wood framing.
- Screws are for steel framing. Only ribbed wafer head screws are approved, and only in specific situations.
- Use the right nail. A 0.09-inch siding nail or an 11-gauge roofing nail, hot-dipped galvanized or stainless.
- Depth is everything. Overdriven and underdriven fasteners are the most common errors we repair.
- Skip the framing nailer and brad nailer. A coil siding nailer with depth adjustment is the correct tool.
Fiber cement siding can last 50 years. The wrong fastener can crack it in five. Nails or screws for Hardie board is the question we hear most from Kansas City homeowners, and online forums split down the middle on it. James Hardie settles the debate in its own installation instructions. Our owner has logged more than 40,000 hours on Hardie installs following that guide, so here is the short version and the reasons behind it.
Quick Answer: Nail It, With a Few Exceptions
James Hardie’s installation instructions call for blind nailing lap siding with corrosion-resistant siding nails on wood framing. Screws are approved for steel framing. For a standard Kansas City home with wood studs, nails are the right choice.
| Nails | Screws | |
| Speed | Fast with a coil siding nailer | Slow, one at a time |
| Holding power | Excellent with correct size | Excellent |
| Manufacturer status | Standard method | Approved for steel framing |
| Best use | Lap siding on wood framing | Steel studs, tight spots |
What James Hardie’s Instructions Actually Say
The manufacturer’s guide outranks any contractor’s opinion, including ours. Here is what it specifies for HardiePlank lap siding.
What is the Best Fastener for Hardie Siding?
For blind nailing on wood framing, Hardie lists a siding nail (0.09-inch shank, 2 inches long) or an 11-gauge roofing nail (0.121-inch shank, 1 1/4 inches long). Fasteners must be corrosion-resistant, either galvanized or stainless steel, and Hardie recommends hot-dipped galvanized.
Fasten into studs spaced no more than 24 inches on center. Keep nails at least 3/8 inch from the ends of each plank and between 3/4 and 1 inch below the top edge.
Pro Tip: Hardie’s guide allows electro-galvanized nails but warns they may corrode early. Hot-dipped galvanized nails cost a little more and help prevent rust streaks down the road.
Can I Use Roofing Nails on Hardie Board Siding?
Yes. An 11-gauge roofing nail with a 3/8 inch head is an approved fastener for blind nailing HardiePlank. It is not approved for face nailing, and Hardie’s wind load tables may require a different fastener in high-wind exposures.
Nails or Screws for Hardie Board: Why Nails Win on Siding
Fiber cement expands and contracts with humidity and temperature. Kansas City winters drop well below freezing, and summers run into the 90s, so that movement is real.
Nails Let the Board Move
A siding nail has enough give to let each plank shift slightly through the seasons. A screw is rigid. When the board tries to move against a screw, something has to give, and it is usually the fiber cement around the fastener head.
Nails are Faster and More Consistent
A pneumatic coil siding nailer set correctly drives every nail to the same depth. That consistency matters, because Hardie’s instructions state that improper installation may affect warranty coverage, and fastener depth is one of the first things we check on a failed install.
When Screws Make Sense
Screws have a place on a Hardie job, just a narrower one than the forums suggest.
Can I Use Screws on James Hardie Siding?
Yes, in specific situations. Hardie approves a No. 8 by 1 1/4 inch ribbed wafer head screw for steel framing, driven at least three threads into the metal. Some installers also use approved screws in tight spots where a nailer will not fit.
Deck screws and drywall screws are not approved fasteners and tend to overdrive or crack the board.
Nails or Screws for Hardie Board vs. Backer Board
Cement backer board used under tile is a different product with its own screw requirements. Backer board advice does not transfer to exterior siding, and this mix-up drives much of the confusion online.
Key Takeaway: Screws are a tool for steel framing and tight spots, not an upgrade over nails. On wood studs, the manufacturer-approved nail is the stronger long-term choice.
Need expert help with Hardie board siding? Contact Fairway Exteriors for a free consultation.
What Nail Gun Do You Use for Hardie Board?
The tool matters as much as the fastener. Fiber cement is unforgiving of the wrong depth.
Can I Use a Framing Nailer for Hardie Siding?
We do not recommend it. Framing nails have small heads, and framing nailers are built to sink fasteners deep into lumber. On Hardie, that means overdriven nails that crush the board and lose holding power. A coil siding nailer with adjustable depth of drive is the correct tool.
Can a Brad Nailer Be Used for Hardie Board?
No. Brads have almost no holding power in fiber cement and are not an approved fastener. Some installers use finish nailers on Hardie trim, a separate product with its own fastening rules.
Is there a Cordless Nail Gun Suitable for Hardie Siding?
Yes. Several manufacturers now make battery-powered coil siding nailers, and they are convenient for repairs and small jobs.
On full residential installs, most crews still run pneumatic guns for weight, speed, and depth consistency. Check that any cordless model is rated for fiber cement before buying.
Pro Tip: Set your nailer so the nail head sits flush with the siding surface. Snug, not sunk. Test on a scrap piece every time you change compressor pressure.
Fastener Mistakes That Can Void a Hardie Warranty
These are the errors we see most often on homes we are asked to fix:
- Overdriving the nail head below the surface, which crushes the board and breaks the seal
- Underdriving so the head sits proud, and the plank rattles
- Nailing too close to the edge, which cracks the plank corner
- Using the wrong corrosion rating, leading to rust streaks
- Missing the stud and fastening into sheathing only
- Mixing blind and face nailing on the same wall, which Hardie’s instructions prohibit
Any one of these can give James Hardie grounds to deny a warranty claim. As a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, our crew installs to Hardie’s written instructions, and we back every job with a lifetime workmanship warranty.
Key Takeaway: Fastener errors are invisible once the paint goes on. They show up years later as cracks, rust streaks, or loose planks, long after the installer is gone.
Should You Fasten Hardie Board Yourself?
A skilled DIYer can install fiber cement siding. The catch is longevity. Hardie siding carries a 30-year limited product warranty, and the fastening on day one determines whether it lasts that long.
If you are siding a shed or replacing a few damaged planks, the specs above will get you through. For a full home, professional installation protects both the product warranty and your investment.
Get a Fastener-Perfect Hardie Install in Kansas City
Fairway Exteriors has installed James Hardie siding across Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, Prairie Village, Shawnee, and the rest of the Kansas City metro. Every plank goes on with the manufacturer-approved fastener, driven to the correct depth and into a stud. Schedule your free consultation, and you will never have to worry about nails or screws for Hardie board again.
