KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Fibre cement holds paint well and does not rot, so it usually outlasts wood between repaints.
- Wash it gently. High pressure can scar the surface and drive water behind the boards.
- Cut edges and exposed ends must be sealed, or they soak up water.
- Leave the laps of lap siding open, so water can drain out.
Many townhouse complexes and newer buildings in Metro Vancouver are clad in fibre cement siding, often called Hardie board after its best-known maker. It is tough, it does not rot, and it holds paint well. When it does need repainting, a few details matter more than they do on wood.
Signs it is time
- Chalking: the colour rubs off on your hand.
- Fading, especially on south and west walls.
- Paint peeling at board ends, around trim and near the ground.
- Cracked or broken boards, often from impact or settling.
Washing without damage
Fibre cement should be cleaned at low pressure, with a cleaner that suits the dirt and mildew on it. A narrow, high-pressure jet can scar the surface and force water up behind the boards, where it takes days to dry. See pressure washing or soft washing.
The details that decide how long it lasts
- Seal cut edges. Any board cut during repairs, and any exposed end, is primed and painted so it cannot absorb water.
- Leave the laps open. The overlap at the bottom of each board lets water out. Caulking it shut traps moisture behind the siding.
- Caulk the right joints. Joints at trim, windows and corners are sealed with a paintable sealant. See caulking and sealant renewal.
- Use the right paint. A good 100% acrylic exterior paint is the usual choice, applied to a clean, dry surface.
Replacing damaged boards
Cracked or broken boards are replaced before painting. Cutting fibre cement creates silica dust, which WorkSafeBC regulates, so the work needs the right cutting tools and dust control. New boards are primed, cut edges are sealed, and the whole wall is then painted so the repair does not show. We do this as part of fascia, trim and siding replacement.
Check the factory finish first
Some fibre cement comes with a factory-applied finish and its own warranty. Before repainting, check the building records or ask the builder whether that warranty is still in force and what it requires, so the council knows what a repaint would mean for it. When you are ready, see exterior repainting.
This guide is general information for strata councils and property managers in British Columbia, not legal advice. Check your registered bylaws and the current Strata Property Act, or ask your property manager or a lawyer, before relying on it for a decision.
