“Protect your projects: The Hidden Weakness in Cement Fiberboard Siding”
Cement fiberboard siding is widely recognized and utilized for its durability, low maintenance, and resistance to natural elements.
Although it's popular in the siding industry, a hidden weakness could compromise the integrity of your projects - the open vertical gaps left in the expansion joints during installation.
This blog will explore why these gaps are more than just an aesthetic issue and how covering them with GapStrap can protect your projects from future damage, save time, and enhance your reputation. Making cement fiberboard installations faster and a cheaper alternative to caulking.
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The Problem: Open Gaps in Cement Fiberboard Siding
Cement fiberboard is made with exceptional materials, but its installation leaves vertical gaps between panels. These gaps are often overlooked but could lead to problems over time.
Weather Exposure: The exposed gaps allow water (rainwater/snow) and high winds to infiltrate the building’s internal structure. Over time, this exposure causes caulking to break down, which can eventually lead to the siding falling off.
Caulking Issues & Environmental Impact: Caulking is often used to beautify projects and seal gaps in fiber cement siding; however, caulking degrades under normal weather conditions and UV exposure. Moreover, the thick single-use plastic tubes that caulking comes in generate significant waste, whether water-based or silicone-based, contributing to an increased environmental footprint.
Maintainence Issues: As caulking fails, frequent reapplications may be necessary, driving up labor costs and generating additional waste, which makes ongoing maintenance both costly and inefficient.
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The Solution: GapStrap - The Key to Long-Lasting Cement Fiber Board Siding
You need a solution as durable as cement fiberboard. GapStrap is an 18-gauge sheet metal “strap” designed to permanently seal the gaps in cement fiberboard siding, ensuring that installations remain secure and aesthetically pleasing.
Gap Sealing: GapStrap is patently designed to seal the gaps in the cement fiberboard siding. Unlike caulking, which degrades over time, GapStrap provides a long-lasting solution that won't fail under weather, movement, and time.
Enhanced Structural Integrity: By reinforcing the expansion joints between panels, GapStrap adds an extra layer of protection that ensures the siding remains intact. This enhanced strength helps maintain the overall integrity of the installation, reducing the risk of siding detachment.
Increased Resistance: GapStrap has passed rigorous saltwater and wind tests (ICC - ESR certified), making it especially effective in coastal areas where salty air and high winds accelerate the breakdown of caulking. In environments with intense sunlight and high temperatures, GapStrap’s performance remains consistent, protecting building structures better than caulking.
Easy Installation: Created by painters with installation in mind, GapStrap is easy to install, requiring only a few taps with a hammer to secure it in place. This helps speed up the installation process, minimizes labor costs, and reduces potential errors on the job site.
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Why GapStrap Belongs on All Fiber Cement Siding Projects:
Gapstrap is certified through the ICC Code. Officials look for the ICC-ESR Mark on building and plumbing products for peace of mind when approving products. ICC-ESR is widely recognized for its thorough technical evaluations, speed, and gold standard in customer service. By potentially extending the lifespan of fiber cement siding, reducing maintenance callbacks, and enhancing the overall aesthetic, GapStrap sets your work apart from the competition. Plus, its sustainable design helps reduce waste compared to the recurring use of single-use caulking tubes.
GapStrap is the solution that safeguards cement fiberboard projects against the elements and can help build a better reputation as a provider of high-quality, reliable siding projects. GapStrap is heavily recommended for all fiber cement installation. Use GapStrap on your next fiber cement siding and enjoy the long-term benefits in performance and cost savings.
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Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com/green-fiber-cement-board-1821774
https://articles1.homeadvisor.com/r/hardie-board-siding
https://todayshomeowner.com/siding/guides/hardie-siding-problems/
Editorial Contributors: George Polli
