Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Hi

I'm new here. I don't know if someone already started a thread about this before. But I need to know before I buy the materials.

What's the difference between the 1/4inch Hardiflex being sold in local construction store from the 6mm hardiflex being sold in Home Depot?

I have compared the prices and there is a big difference.

Thanks in advance for your help!

D

PS: Is rivet the best way to connect the hardiflex to the metal framing?

1/4 inch is 6.35mm. 0.35mm is negligible, so they're the same. The price difference is because of who is selling the item. You didn't say which is more expensive but I'm pretty sure its the one from Home Depot.

Rivet is a no-no. There is a dedicated screw for fiber cement boards. Its called ficem screw. For the 1/4-inch board its better to use the 1-inch screw

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

1/4 inch is 6.35mm. 0.35mm is negligible, so they're the same. The price difference is because of who is selling the item. You didn't say which is more expensive but I'm pretty sure its the one from Home Depot.

Rivet is a no-no. There is a dedicated screw for fiber cement boards. Its called ficem screw. For the 1/4-inch board its better to use the 1-inch screw

Thanks for replying to my question!

Yes, Home Depot is more expensive, almost double the price of the 1/4inch. I asked the local construction store why they don't have 6mm and she told me that the hardiflex they sell is substandard and the standard ones is sold in Home Depot where they have the 6mm size. That is why I got confused maybe the hardiflex being sold in Home Depot has quality than the ones in the local construction store making it more expensive.

So, I will not buy rivet. My carpenter is very confident and told me he is using a blind rivet for the Hardiflex. btw, why can't we use blind rivet? Sorry, just curious, I want to know how to explain to my carpenter.

For the ficem screw, what tool is needed to apply this? Will a drill suffice?

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

@dposh,
you can use drill maintaining slow speed.

im using cordless drill on this kind of application, low rpm with a high torque.

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

I asked the local construction store why they don't have 6mm and she told me that the hardiflex they sell is substandard and the standard ones is sold in Home Depot where they have the 6mm size.

Hardiflex (capital H) is a specific brand of fiber cement board. Unlikely that there is such a thing as 'substandard' Hardiflex. More likely, the cheaper board is another brand, yes? IF it is really Hardiflex brand, ask how it came to be 'substandard'.

Hardiflex does not contain asbestos (supposedly). As mentioned in another thread, other brands may have asbestos. For example, Flexboard brand has asbestos:
materials for ceiling and wall?....

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Rivets will exert pressure on the ficem board at a very small area and the board might crack. And mas matrabaho ang rivet: drill hole first then attach rivet.

Ficem screw will drill a hole for itself so 1 step lang. Arawan siguro carpenter mo kaya gusto nya rivet. 😉

And the ficem screw will be flush against he board. Unlike rivets na nakabukol

Rivets are parang "touch move" sa chess, walang bawian. Well, pwedeng tanggalin pero mas matrabaho, tsaka hindi mo na magagamit yung rivet. The ficem screw can be removed and re-attached for practically unlimited number of times. Magastos magkamali sa rivet, mas forgiving ang ficem screw.

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Hardiflex (capital H) is a specific brand of fiber cement board. Unlikely that there is such a thing as 'substandard' Hardiflex. More likely, the cheaper board is another brand, yes? IF it is really Hardiflex brand, ask how it came to be 'substandard'.

Hardiflex does not contain asbestos (supposedly). As mentioned in another thread, other brands may have asbestos. For example, Flexboard brand has asbestos:

Yes, maybe the cheaper board is another brand but they call it Hardiflex. It's just like calling a toothpaste, Colgate.

So I think I need to stick to the James Hardie brand. I found their website online and will look for a dealer near my area.

Thanks for the help Guad!

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Rivets will exert pressure on the ficem board at a very small area and the board might crack. And mas matrabaho ang rivet: drill hole first then attach rivet.

Ficem screw will drill a hole for itself so 1 step lang. Arawan siguro carpenter mo kaya gusto nya rivet. 😉

And the ficem screw will be flush against he board. Unlike rivets na nakabukol

Rivets are parang "touch move" sa chess, walang bawian. Well, pwedeng tanggalin pero mas matrabaho, tsaka hindi mo na magagamit yung rivet. The ficem screw can be removed and re-attached for practically unlimited number of times. Magastos magkamali sa rivet, mas forgiving ang ficem screw.

Ah, yes, I like the ficem screw better. How do you say Ficem screw in Tagalog? Is this like tox? I only have a corded drill, I hope it will do.

Nope, my carpenter is pakyawan, but I am really not sure if he may have lengthened the days he said it will take for the wall to be up.

Thanks Joey!

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Fi as in fiber, cem as in cement. paysem pwede rin. hehe.

This is how the screw looks like:

Note that the business end looks like a drill bit.

The corded drill is OK. The contractors that installed my ceiling used that. But it takes practice. Drive it in too much and the screw head will punch through the board.

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Fi as in fiber, cem as in cement. paysem pwede rin. hehe.

This is how the screw looks like:

Note that the business end looks like a drill bit.

The corded drill is OK. The contractors that installed my ceiling used that. But it takes practice. Drive it in too much and the screw head will punch through the board.

hahaha! So it is fiber cement screw 🙂

Thanks for the image. I will have him test the screw a few times until he gets the right punch through the board.

thank you very much for your help Joey! Really appreciate it.

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Maybe what the hardware is reffering to is the 4.5mm variant of Hardiflex. It's not substandard though but a different thickness altogether. Iv'e used both rivets and hardiflex screws on my projects......The screws are supposed to be better but sometimes the head wont flush with the hardiflex surface so the painters always complain as they have a hard time finishing. The rivets is a little tricky to use but with enough practice and coordination it would be faster than the screw method. The painters prefer it too as they can sand any protruding part of the rivet. HTH!

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Maybe what the hardware is reffering to is the 4.5mm variant of Hardiflex. It's not substandard though but a different thickness altogether. Iv'e used both rivets and hardiflex screws on my projects......The screws are supposed to be better but sometimes the head wont flush with the hardiflex surface so the painters always complain as they have a hard time finishing. The rivets is a little tricky to use but with enough practice and coordination it would be faster than the screw method. The painters prefer it too as they can sand any protruding part of the rivet. HTH!

Yes, that is actually the alibi of my carpenter cos he will also paint the hardiflex wall. He wants to use the rivet for an easier finish. He claimed that in his experience rivet is the best for him. But I would choose the best binding material for this project. so screw is best right?

btw, he plans to use concrete nail #1 to secure the metal frame to the ground and the wall. Is this the right thing to do?

Thanks! opzuk!

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Yes, that is actually the alibi of my carpenter cos he will also paint the hardiflex wall. He wants to use the rivet for an easier finish. He claimed that in his experience rivet is the best for him. But I would choose the best binding material for this project. so screw is best right?

btw, he plans to use concrete nail #1 to secure the metal frame to the ground and the wall. Is this the right thing to do?

Thanks! opzuk!

Screws are best for fastening fiber boards but if your carpenter is not that well versed with it then you may have a finishing problem. If he is more keen on using rivets then I will let him be. On using concrete nails in fastening the bottom tracks, I will only suggest it if it will be driven on plain ground level concrete flooring. It is not advisable on tiled finishes as it can damage the tile or make it "kapak". On these cases screws with tox are usually preferred. HTH!

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Screws are best for fastening fiber boards but if your carpenter is not that well versed with it then you may have a finishing problem. If he is more keen on using rivets then I will let him be. On using concrete nails in fastening the bottom tracks, I will only suggest it if it will be driven on plain ground level concrete flooring. It is not advisable on tiled finishes as it can damage the tile or make it "kapak". On these cases screws with tox are usually preferred. HTH!

ah, I see, that makes sense.

Thanks for your suggestion Opzuk! I really appreciate it. I will talk to him after the holy week to clear everything.

Re: 1/4 inch vs. 6mm Hardiflex

Maybe what the hardware is reffering to is the 4.5mm variant of Hardiflex. It's not substandard though but a different thickness altogether. Iv'e used both rivets and hardiflex screws on my projects......The screws are supposed to be better but sometimes the head wont flush with the hardiflex surface so the painters always complain as they have a hard time finishing. The rivets is a little tricky to use but with enough practice and coordination it would be faster than the screw method. The painters prefer it too as they can sand any protruding part of the rivet. HTH!

What is holding the board if the rivet's head is sanded off? I'm just wondering. I have no idea because I haven't used rivets for this purpose.