How to Remove Hardie Plank
HardiePlank is a trademarked cement and fiberglass based siding product produced by the James Hardie Corporation, a company headquartered in California with offices and operations around the globe.
HardiePlank is applied as lap siding and installed over a water-resistant barrier product using a blind-nailing or screw-in method and occasionally a face-nailing technique for very high wind applications. HardiePlank comes in a wide range of colors, finish textures, board widths and trim pieces and is designed for long-term use of 30 years or more. Removal options vary somewhat based on installation technique and whether you are removing one or a few pieces of siding for replacement or demoing the siding from the structure altogether.
Things You Will Need
- Claw hammer
- Flat pry bar
- Drill with screwdriver bit
Tip
If not removing the siding product entirely, work very slowly and deliberately to minimize the damage to the surrounding planks and the underlying structure. Use only as much force is absolutely necessary to complete the task. If doing demolition to to remove the HardiePlank entirely, more aggressive and rough work is warranted.
Warning
Wear protective gear to prevent inhalation of silica dust while removing or cutting HardiePlank. Use a NIOSH-approved dust mask such as an N-95 or use a ANSI Standard Z88.2 respirator graded to remove all crystalline silica.
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Slide the thin edge of a flat pry bar carefully under the lower edge of the first piece of HardiePlank siding to be removed. Use a mallet or hammer to gently drive the tip of the bar up behind the siding if necessary.
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Pry the piece of siding out toward you gently to let you see the nail or screw patterning of how the planks have been fastened to the under-structure.
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Place the flat bar under the first nail or screw and smack the free end of the bar with a mallet or hammer to dislodge the nail or screw.
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Repeat along the first plank to remove it entirely, exposing the nails or screw fasteners on the next board down.
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Remove screws for partial demolition projects with a drill fitted with screwdriver bit (operating in reverse), which will limit damage to the under-structure. This process may not be practical for large-scale removal of HardiePlank where the pry bar method may more efficient.
The Drip Cap
- HardiePlank is a trademarked cement and fiberglass based siding product produced by the James Hardie Corporation, a company headquartered in California with offices and operations around the globe.
- HardiePlank is applied as lap siding and installed over a water-resistant barrier product using a blind-nailing or screw-in method and occasionally a face-nailing technique for very high wind applications.
- Use a mallet or hammer to gently drive the tip of the bar up behind the siding if necessary.
