Hardipanel for Shed Siding?

[DerbyDad03]

I've got a line on some 5/16" X 4' X 8' Sierra Hardipanels, pre- primed, for $22 each.

I'm planning on building a small lean-to style shed to house some bikes, etc. over the winter as I need the garage for a winter project.

8' W x 6' D x 6' H at the front.

Can I use the Hardipanels right over the stud walls or do I need to use sheathing under it?

Can I use the Hardipanels as roofing material - with felt-paper covered sheathing underneath? There will be snow and the roof will have a very shallow pitch, maybe 1:12. I was thinking kind of a board & batten roof, with copious amounts of caulk under the battens.

Do you think I'd get a winter or so worth's of use out of this?

[HeyBub]

HardiPlank is fundamentally concrete. It will last longer than the dirt. If the Pyramids had been made of HardiPlank, they wouldn't look so disheveled up close (except where the grave-robbers broke in of course).

To answer you questions, I would think "Yes." Now it's about as heavy as concrete, so, for a roof, use lots of bracing.

[C & E]

I would back it - it is brittle if struck by a rock (eg, from the mower or if someone stumbles into it between joists). I think that some stubs between the joists would be OK as well. Keep us posted on what you chose to do, even if nothing.

[SteveBell]

Go here for the instructions:

I've put up a ton of Hardie products, and they're great. They're concrete, though, and concrete isn't waterproof, so be sure to paint it. It's also fragile, as C&E pointed out.

They used to make a roofing product, but it's off the market now, as far as I know. I wouldn't use the siding products on a roof.