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Hi guys
Does anyone know much about using James Hardie cladding for a freestanding outdoor wall?
We are doing up our pool area and
installing some James Hardie fine texture cladding around the boundary of our pool, we wanted it to look like a masonry wall and love this concrete-look texture. We’ve installed aluminium posts, timber rails and set with concrete in the ground about 10cm off the colour bond fence. We’ve put some timber as a cap on top and trim on the 2 exposed corners. The back is currently slightly exposed to the elements. Is the back pre-primed? I wanted to check if this is likely going to cause rot and deteriorate quickly? Has anyone used similar cladding like this? Will be finishing the front with outdoor paint.
photos attached, not yet painted
Any advice very appreciated
Hi @Alan_,
James Hardie cladding is primarily designed for use on the walls of enclosed rooms, so there isn’t specific guidance on using it for an outdoor fence exposed to the elements.
The back of the boards are not pre-primed, which raises concerns about moisture exposure. To protect the rear side, you might consider installing a sarking or applying weather-resistant paint to seal it. This step is important because moisture can seep in, potentially saturating the cement board and leading to the failure of the paint on the front.
Sealing the back will significantly help in preventing moisture-related issues.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
