What Size Nails for Fiber Cement (Hardie) Siding?
Fiber cement siding like HardiePlank eats the wrong fastener — the silica-rich boards corrode plain steel and crack under fat nails. Code calls for 6d (2 in x .113) nails to studs, high-wind zones step up to 8d, and the material must be hot-dip galvanized or stainless. Blind-nail laps, face-nail butt joints — and never mix metals the warranty forbids.
What to Look For
- Standard laps: 6d common (2 in x .113) nails into studs per IRC Table R703.4.
- High-wind zones: 8d nails for the extra holding power the evaluation reports require.
- HDG (G185) or stainless only — electro-galvanized and plain steel corrode against fiber cement.
- Coastal work: Type 304 stainless inland-adjacent, Type 316 within sight of saltwater.
- Pneumatic nails must match collation and sit flush — overdrives crush the board face.
Top Picks
1. Maze hot-dip galvanized siding nails, 6d 2 in Best overall
G185 hot-dip coating rated for fiber cement contact, proper 6d dimensions for blind nailing, and the brand siding crews actually buy by the box.
Check price on Amazon →2. Metabo coil siding nails, HDG, 2 in Best for nail guns
Collated hot-dip nails for coil siding nailers — flush drives all day on production siding jobs without the hand-nailing bottleneck.
Check price on Amazon →3. Type 316 stainless siding nails, 2 in Best for coastal
Maximum corrosion resistance for salt air and sea spray — stainless never reacts with fiber cement and never streaks, for the life of the siding.
Check price on Amazon →What to Avoid
Avoid
- Plain steel and electro-galvanized nails — fiber cement corrodes them fast, then rust bleeds.
- Roofing nails as a substitute — wrong shank, wrong head, and most Hardie warranties forbid them.
- Overdriven pneumatic nails — crushed board faces wick water and void warranties.
- Face-nailing laps that should be blind-nailed — follow the evaluation report nailing pattern.
Also in the toolbox
- Coil siding nailer — flush, fast, wrist-friendly siding days
- Fiber-cement shear — dust-free cuts that nails love
FAQ
What size nails for HardiePlank siding?
6d common nails (2 in x .113 in) driven into studs for standard lap siding, per IRC Table R703.4. High-wind exposures and wider Artisan profiles step up to 8d per the James Hardie evaluation report.
Do you need stainless nails for fiber cement siding?
Hot-dip galvanized (G185) satisfies most inland installs and warranties. Stainless is required or strongly recommended at the coast — Type 304 near salt, Type 316 in direct salt spray.
Can you use roofing nails on Hardie siding?
No — roofing nails have the wrong shank diameter and head for fiber cement and are not in the approved fastening schedules. Use siding nails in 6d or 8d as the evaluation report specifies.
Should fiber cement siding be blind or face nailed?
Blind-nail the laps (fastener hidden by the course above) and face-nail butt joints and trim per the pattern. Face nails get set, caulked, and painted to disappear.
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