James Hardie EXTERIORS Hardie Axent Trim Installation Guide

James Hardie EXTERIORS Hardie Axent Trim

Product Specifications

• Product: HardieTM AxentTM Trim
• Material: Composite trim
• Usage: Box corners, decorative trim around windows and doors

Product Usage Instructions

Handling and Installation Guidelines
HardieTM AxentTM Trim must be handled carefully to avoid damage. Follow these guidelines:

• Avoid bending or dropping the trim during transit.
• Always carry the product on its edge.
• Pack the trim flat for storage.

Installation Precautions
Ensure the following to prevent any issues:

• Install, finish, and maintain the product according to building codes and James Hardie’s instructions.
• Check for aesthetic requirements before installation.
• Visit www.jameshardie.com.au for warranty information and disclaimers.

Safety Instructions

Follow these safety precautions when working with HardieTM AxentTM Trim:

• Avoid breathing dust and cut only in a well-ventilated area.
• HardieTM fiber cement products contain crystalline silica which can be harmful if inhaled.
• Follow best practices to limit dust exposure and warn others inthe area.

Accessories and Tools
Components supplied by James Hardie include:

• HardieTM Blade Saw Blade: 185mm diameter Poly-diamond blade for HardieTM fiber cement. Part No. 300660
• HardieTM Joint Sealant: 300mL cartridge of exterior grade polyurethane joint sealant. Part No. 305534

Installation

Ideal for edge treatment around windows, finishing touches to cladded internal and external corners as well as a design enhancer for butt joints.
The thickness of HardieTM AxentTM Trim helps create the impression of solidness, and its crisp, chamfered edges highlight frames and openings.
HardieTM AxentTM Trim will maintain its integrity and general appearance significantly longer than traditional softwood. Mostly, timber is susceptible to cracking in external applications which can lead to shrinking and warping. HardieTM AxentTM Trim will resist shrinking, swelling, and cracking and hold paint longer than wood, when installed and maintained correctly, and can also be painted in dark as well as light colors.

IMPORTANT NOTES
Due to the product enhancements, Hardie™ Axent™ Trim must be treated carefully during transit including avoiding bending and dropping of the trim and always carrying the product on edge. The trim must also be packed flat for storage.

1. Failure to install, finish, or maintain this product by applicable building codes, regulations, standards, and James Hardie’s written application instructions may lead to personal injury, affect system performance, violate local building codes, and void the Hardie™ product warranty.
2. All warranties, conditions, liabilities (direct, indirect, or consequential), and obligations whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise other than those specified in the Hardie™ product warranty are excluded to the fullest extent allowed by law. For Hardie™ product warranty information and disclaimers about the information in this guide, visit www.jameshardie.com.au.
3. The builder must ensure the product meets aesthetic requirements before installation. James Hardie will not be responsible for rectifying aesthetic surface variations following installation.

Hardie™ Axent™ Trim

Accessories and Tools

WARNING – DO NOT BREATHE DUST AND CUT ONLY IN WELL VENTILATED AREA
Hardie™ fiber cement products contain sand, a source of respirable crystalline silica. May cause cancer if dust from a product is inhaled. Causes damage to lungs and respiratory system through prolonged or repeated inhalation of dust from product.
Intact fiber cement products are not expected to result in any adverse toxic effects. The hazard associated with fiber cement arises from the respirable crystalline silica present in dust generated by activities such as cutting, rebating, drilling, routing, sawing, crushing, or otherwise abrading fiber cement, and when cleaning up, disposing of, or moving dust. When doing any of these activities in a manner that generates dust, follow Hardie™ instructions and best practices to reduce or limit the release of dust, warn others in the area, and consider rotating personnel across the cutting task to further limit respirable silica exposure.

If using a dust mask or respirator, use an AS/NZS1716 P1 filter and refer to Australian/New Zealand Standard 1715:2009 Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment for more extensive guidance and more options for selecting respirators for workplaces. For further information, refer to our installation instructions and Safety Data Sheets available at www.jameshardie.com.au. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO OUR WARNINGS, SAFETY DATA SHEETS, AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

James Hardie Recommended Safe Working Practices

CUTTING OUTDOORS

1. Position the cutting station so the wind will blow dust away from the user or others in the working area.
2. Warn others in the area to avoid dust.
3. Consider rotating personnel across cutting tasks to further limit respirable silica exposures.
4. Use one of the following methods based on the required cutting rate:
   Best   Villaboard™ Knife n Hand Guillotine n Fibreshear
   Better    Position the cutting station in a well-ventilated area.
   Use a dust-reducing circular saw equipped with Hardie™ Blade Saw Blade or comparable fiber cement blade and well well-maintained M-class vacuum or higher with an appropriate filter for capturing fine (respirable) dust. Wear a properly fitted, approved dust mask or respirator (minimum P1).

CUTTING INDOORS

• Cut only using Villaboard™ Knife, hand guillotine, or fiber shears (manual, electric or pneumatic).
• Position the cutting station in a well-ventilated area.

DRILLING/OTHER MACHINING
When drilling or machining you should always wear a P1 dust mask and warn others in the immediate area.

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. For maximum protection (lowest respirable dust production) James Hardie recommends always using best practice cutting methods where feasible.
2. NEVER use a power saw indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.
3. ALWAYS use a dust-reducing circular saw equipped with a sawblade specifically designed to minimize dust creation when cutting fiber cement – preferably a sawblade that carries the Hardie™ Blade logo or one with at least equivalent performance – connected to an M class or higher vacuum.
4. NEVER dry sweep – Use wet suppression, or an M class vacuum or higher with appropriate filter.
5. NEVER use grinders.
6. ALWAYS follow tool manufacturers’ safety recommendations.
7. ALWAYS wear a properly fitted, approved dusk mask, P1 or higher

DUST MASKS AND RESPIRATORS
As a minimum, an AS/NZS1716 P1 respirator must be used when doing any activity that may create dust. For more extensive guidance and options for selecting respirators for workplaces please refer to Australian/New Zealand Standard 1715:2009 “Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment”.
P1 respirators should be used in conjunction with the above-cutting practices to minimize dust exposure. For further information, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available at www.jameshardie.com.au. If concern still exists about exposure levels or you do not comply with the above practices, you should always consult a qualified industrial hygienist or contact James Hardie for further information.

STORAGE AND HANDLING

To avoid damage, all Hardie™ building products should be stored with edges and corners of the product protected from chipping. Hardie™ building products must be installed in a dry state and protected from weather during transport and storage. The product must be laid flat under cover on a smooth level surface clear of the ground to avoid exposure to water, moisture, etc.

PREPARATION

Edges cut on site must be primed before installation. Slight chamfering of cut edges is recommended to improve edge paint adhesion.

Clearances

• Install Hardie™ Axent™ Trim with a minimum 150mm clearance to the earth on the exterior of the building or by local building codes if greater than 150mm is required.
• Maintain a minimum 50mm clearance between Hardie™ Axent™ Trim and roofs, decks, paths, steps, and driveways. The adjacent finished grade must slope away from the building by local building codes, typically a minimum slope of 50mm minimum over the first metre.
• Do not install Hardie™ Axent™ Trim such that it may remain in contact with standing water.

NOTE
Greater clearance may be required to comply with termite protection provisions.

TERMITE PROTECTION
The National Construction Code (NCC) specifies the requirements for termite barriers and must
be complied with. Where the exposed slab edge
is used as part of the termite barrier system, a minimum of 75mm of the exposed slab edge must be visible to permit ready detection of termite entry.

FRAMING

• Hardie™ Axent™ Trim can be fixed to either timber or light gauge domestic-type steel framing. The framing used must comply with the relevant building regulations and standards and the requirements of this guide. Use only seasoned timber.
• Unseasoned timber must not be used, as it is prone to shrinkage and can cause Hardie™ Axent™ Trim and frames to move. The base metal thickness of a steel frame must be between 0.55 and 1.6mm (BMT).

Fastener durability

• Various grades of fastener finishes and durability are available such as galvanized, stainless steel, and fasteners with proprietary coatings.
• Fasteners must have the appropriate level of durability required for the intended project. This is of particular importance in coastal areas, areas subject to salt spray and other corrosive environments.
• Fasteners must be fully compatible with all other materials that they are in contact with to ensure the durability and integrity of the assembly. Contact fastener manufacturers for more information.

FIXINGS

Fixing to Timber

Fixing to Timber

Pneumatically Driven Finishing Nails (Gas power not recommended)
Trim Thickness| Type| Min. Edge Fixing Distance| Nailing Centres

19mm

| 50mm x 16 gauge brad (eg. C, ND or DA).|

22mm

| 150mm
Pre drill 2.8 x 50mm dia corrosion resistant bullet or flat head nails.| 300mm

38mm

| 62mm x 16 gauge brad (eg. C, ND or DA).| 150mm
Pre drill 2.8 x 65mm dia corrosion resistant bullet or flat head nails.| 300mm
Screw Fix
19mm and 38mm| 8 – 10g Corrosion resistant chipboard type screw. Predrill with a 3mm drill bit. For 19mm thick trim use 50mm long screws and for 38mm thick trim use 65mm long screws’|

22mm

|

300mm

NOTE Gas powered nail guns are not suitable for fixing Hardie™ Axent™ Trim. Fasteners must be corrosion-resistant, James Hardie recommends Stainless Steel finishing nails. Electro-galvanized nails are acceptable but may exhibit premature corrosion. James Hardie is not responsible for the corrosion resistance of fasteners.

Fixing to Steel

Wing Tip Screws
Thickness| Screw| Min. Edge Fixing Distance| Nailing Centres
19mm| 52mm class 3 by Tri-Fixx.|

22mm

| 300mm
38mm| 75mm class 3 by Powers Fasteners| 300mm

If a smooth surface appearance on the face of the trim is required, then the heads of the nails need to be finished or punched 2-3mm below the surface and filled with a water-proof exterior filling compound as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Punch below the surface only suitable for bullet head and
brad nails. Flat heads and screws must be finished flush with the board surface.

NOTE: Do not screw into the 38mm or 19mm edge of the Hardie™ Axent™ Trim or cut Hardie™ Axent™ Trim ends

Flashings
A suitable weather barrier (by AS/NZS 4200.2) and flashings must be installed behind the wall and corner trims to drain water down and out of the wall. Refer to the appropriate external cladding technical documentation, building codes, and standards for requirements. Information is also available from BRANZ regarding good flashing practices

INSTALLATION

NOTES: When using Hardie™ Axent™ Trim with Linea™ Weatherboard, additional framing may be required, see Linea™ Weatherboard Installation Guide.
You must ensure the product is of acceptable quality before installation, see Important Note 3.

• Hardie™ Axent™ Trim must be fixed directly to timber framing with two fasteners at either end of the trim. Intermediate fixings are also required at 150mm maximum staggered centers for finish nails. All other nails require intermediate fixings at 300mm maximum staggered centers. Intermediate fasteners are not staggered at corners where framing is offset, see Figure 2.
• When installing Hardie™ Axent™ Trim around windows see Figure 1.

FIGURE 1 19MM AND 38MM HARDIE™ AXENT™ TRIM FIXING AROUND WINDOW

NOTE

1. Always ensure the thickness of the trim is adequate for your selected cladding.
2. When the cladding around the window is a flat sheet, the cladding can either be butted to the HardieTM AxentTM Trim as shown in Figure 1 OR installed overlapping the HardieTM AxentTM Trim.

Board and Batten style

The board and batten look is a versatile and visually appealing choice for exterior design, offering a range of benefits. This design approach adds architectural interest and depth to a building, suitable for various styles from traditional to modern. It provides an opportunity for creative customisation, allowing adjustments in size and spacing for specific design goals:

Board and Batten spacing options

Batten Spacing (mm)*|

Benefits

| Recommended AxentTM Trim
---|---|---

200

| Provides a detailed and intricate design with a high level of visual interest, suitable for styles that emphasize fine craftsmanship and intricate patterns.|

45 x 19mm

300

| Strike a balance between detail and openness, suitable for a design that combines visual interest with a slightly more streamlined appearance.|

45 x 38mm

400

| Provides a clean and modern look with a moderate level of detail, offering simplicity and elegance, suitable for contemporary and minimalist designs.|

70 x 19mm

600

| Create a spacious and simplified design with a focus on open areas, suitable

for a minimalist and modern aesthetic, providing a more understated appearance.

|

89 x 38mm

Based on a 1200mm wide Hardie™ Fibre Cement Panel.

CORNERS AND EAVES

FIGURE 2 CORNER DETAIL

FINISHES

Preparation and priming
Hardie™ Axent™ Trim is pre-sealed and must be dry before painting. Where filling over fastener heads refer to page 2. Priming of filled and sanded patches may be required by the paint manufacturer’s specifications.

NOTE
Care must be taken not to over-sand as it can affect the finish.

Sealants
James Hardie recommends the use of Hardie™ Joint Sealant, which is a paintable polyurethane sealant. If using an alternative sealant, it must be a quality polyurethane sealant compatible with fiber cement and the specified paint system if coated. Please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for further information.

Painting
Refer to the project specification for paint requirements. Hardie™ Axent™ Trim must be painted within 3 months of being installed. James Hardie recommends the application of two coats minimum of quality acrylic paint over the
pre-sealed trim under the paint manufacturer’s specifications. Some environments require special coatings. Painting selection and specifications are dependent on the paint chosen. Refer to the paint manufacturer for information and details of their warranty.

Staining
Stains containing linseed oil are specifically designed for wood and may not be suitable for Hardie™ cladding products, primed or unprimed.
Semi-transparent stains can vary in uniformity of appearance depending on the method of application and conditions and will require a high level of skill and craftsmanship to achieve a uniform appearance. Clear coats have not proven durable in exterior exposure and James Hardie considers them a maintenance item that may require the application of a refurbishing sealer at regular intervals. James Hardie does not warrant the appearance or durability of semi- transparent stains and clear coats.

MAINTENANCE

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the paint, finished surface, joints, junctions, penetrations, etc must be carried out at regular intervals to maintain the finish and weather-resistance of cladding. Maintenance must also meet the requirements of the relevant component manufacturer.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

General
The basic composition of Hardie™ building products is Portland cement, ground sand, cellulose fiber, water, and proprietary additives.
Hardie™ building products are manufactured AS/NZS 2908.2 ‘Cellulose-Cement Products-Flat Sheet’. These are also compliant with equivalent standard ISO 8336 ‘Fibre-cement flat sheets Product specification and test methods’. For product classification refer to the relevant Physical Properties Data Sheet.

DURABILITY

Resistance to moisture/rotting
Hardie™ Axent™ Trim has demonstrated resistance to permanent moisture-induced deterioration (rotting) by passing the following tests under AS/NZS 2908.2:

• Water permeability (Clause 8.2.2) “
• Warm water (Clause 8.2.4)
• Heat rain (Clause 6.5)
• Soak dry (Clause 8.2.5).

Resistance to fire

• Hardie™ Axent™ Trim is suitable where non-combustible materials are required under C2D10 and H3D2 of the National Construction Code (NCC) Vol 1 and 2 respectively.
• Hardie™ building products have been tested by CSIRO per AS/NZS 3837 and
  are classified as conforming to Group 1 material (highest and best result possible), with an average specific extinction area far lower than the permissible 250m2/kg, as referenced in Specification C2D11(1) of the National Construction Code (NCC).

Resistance to termite attack
Based on testing completed by CSIRO Division of Forest Products and Ensis Australia, Hardie™ building products have demonstrated resistance to termite attack.

Alpine regions

• In regions subject to freeze/thaw conditions, all Hardie™ fiber cement external cladding must be installed and painted in the warmer months of the year when the temperature does not create freeze and thaw conditions or paint issues. The cladding must be painted immediately after installation. In addition, fiber cement cladding must not be in direct contact with snow and/or ice build-up for extended periods, e.g. external walls in alpine regions subject to snow drifts over winter.
• Furthermore, a reputable paint manufacturer must be consulted regarding a suitable product, specifications, and warranty. The paint application must not be carried out if the air temperature or the substrate temperature is outside the paint manufacturer’s recommendation including the specified drying temperature range
• Hardie™ external cladding products are tested for resistance to frost by AS/NZS 2908.2 Clause 8.2.3.

For information and advice
call 13 11 03
jameshardie.com.au

Australia March 2024
© 2024 James Hardie Australia Pty Ltd ABN 12 084 635 558 ™ and ® denote a trademark or registered trademark owned by James Hardie Technology Limited.
Powers®, Tri-fixx, Hitachi, and Makita® are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are not owned by James Hardie Technology Limited.

FAQ

Q: Can I paint the HardieTM AxentTM Trim?

A: Yes, the trim is paintable. Ensure you use suitable exterior-grade paint for best results.

Q: How should I clean the HardieTM AxentTM Trim?

A: Clean the trim with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners that may damage the surface.

References

• Global leaders in wall and floor building products | James Hardie

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