N E W S R E L E A S E
Client: The Tapco Group > Booth #C6119
Description: Fiber Cement Blocks by The Tapco Group
Project:13-TA-014Date: 1/23/13
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Jim Rednour,
Description: Fiber Cement Blocks by The Tapco Group
Mount Blocks Simplify Developer and Contractor Compliance,
Reduce Fiber Cement Siding Installation Risk
With fiber cement the fastest-growing siding material segment, developers, homeowners and installers face necessary education. Critical knowledge ensures proper home exterior assembliesthat qualify for, and do not void, warranty coverage.
Fiber cement siding is often used for green homes and heralded for low maintenance. Fiber cement market leader James Hardie says its siding products are now on more than 5.5 million U.S. homes.
Moisture intrusion prevention remains a hypercritical aspect of fiber cement’s proper installation. Siding installers are advised to follow a manufacturer’s instructions in order to qualify for warranty protection. James Hardie advises that it will assume no responsibility for water infiltration.
For penetrations such as hose bibs and lights, James Hardie General Installation Requirements noted in the James Hardie Best Practices Guide call specifically for blocks made from Hardie fiber cement trim. SturdiMount®, an officially “Recommended by James Hardie” mount block with integrated HardieTrim, is noted on the same page as a solution for simplifying the penetration installation process.
While it has been common in the past for vinyl mount blocks or site-manufactured wood blocks to be used with fiber cement siding, these types of assemblies go against James Hardie installation requirements, potentially voiding the manufacturer’s warranty and creating costly callbacks and warranty claims for builders, developers or remodelers.
“James Hardie actually talks about SturdiMount in all of its literature, so it’s the easiest way to make sure you’re in compliance,” explains Nick Choate of Bi-State Building Products. “It’s 10 times better than anything you could make yourself, flashing-wise.”
SturdiMount mount blocks manufactured by The Tapco Group® provide a water management solution with pre-flashed, pre-assembled efficiency. They are manufactured with 5/4” HardieTrim XLD fiber cement and a durable copolymer flange.SturdiMounts are used on fiber cement multifamily, production and custom homes across the country and in climates from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Northwest.
As with many other building products and materials, managing for moisture protection is critical for fiber cement. Among items not covered by the Hardie warranty are damage or defects resulting from improper installation of accessories or natural phenomena, including mold, mildew, fungi or bacteria.
“SturdiMount provides a nice, flat plane you can mount to that you can easily waterproof,” says Jeff Rikard, a general superintendent for leading multifamily developer Wood Partners. “It helps eliminate long-term maintenance issues and I intend to use it on all our fiber cement siding projects,” Rikard says.
“You’ve got a prefab piece that’s flanged in. You know your measurements are going to be the same and all the edges are going to be completely square. You can rely on that consistent quality,” adds Choate.
“Other mount assemblies end up not looking as good and not working as well, whereas SturdiMount makes contractors’ jobs easier. Especially regarding the Hardie warranty, SturdiMount really sells itself,” says Choate. For its part, James Hardie requires participants in both its Preferred Remodeler and Associate Contractor programs to comply with James Hardie Installation Best Practices.
According to the Better Business Bureau, more homeowners are doing their homework when it comes to remodeling. The BBB reported that inquiries regarding construction & remodeling services were up more than 36 percent in 2011 compared to 2010.
With versatility suited for any exterior penetration, SturdiMount mount blocks Recommended by James Hardie are available in Universal, Split, Receptacle and Oversized mounts for everything from hose bibs to carriage lamps and receptacle outlets. Primed options and eleven finish colors are available including Hardie color matches.
In addition to ensuring installation compliance, SturdiMount accessories allow contractors to do away with time-consuming measuring, hole-sawing, priming and painting. There’s also no worry about different-sized wood blocks, termite infestations or splitting wood.
SturdiMount is a division of The Tapco Group®,a U.S. Green Building Council member. For more information, visit or call 800-521-8486.
The Tapco Group is the building industry’s leading provider of easy to install, premium innovative exterior products. Serving the building industry since 1961, Tapco specializes in the manufacturing of roofing, siding, tool systems, egress systems and siding components. The products combine versatile application, durability, vast color palettes and uncommon authenticity to exceed the expectations of contractors and homeowners. The Tapco Group: Solutions are here.
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Photo Caption:
Offering water management, jobsite efficiency and a superior finish for structures clad in fiber cement, The Tapco Group’s SturdiMount mount blocks help ensure fiber cement installation compliance by featuring integrated HardieTrim. They are the only fiber cement mount blocks to carry the “Recommended by James Hardie” logo.
File: 13-TA-014 NRR