Can you install Hardie villaboard vertically?

[StephenS]

Hardie installation guidelines recommends laying Villaboard sheet horizontally. Why not fix them vertically and have all joints between sheets fall on studwork with the top and bottom falling on the top and bottom plates rather than the recommended unsupported horizontal joins if the guidelines are followed?

[MitchellMc · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @StephenS. It's wonderful to have you join us and many thanks for your question on Villaboard.

Hardie's Villaboard can be installed horizontally or vertically, but the guidelines usually recommend horizontal installation because it’s easier to ensure proper support. When laid horizontally, the long edges of the sheet typically cross multiple studs, and only the sheet ends need to land on a stud, making fixing straightforward.

In a vertical installation, every joint along the sheet edge needs full stud support from top to bottom. If your studs are correctly positioned to support all vertical joints, then installing vertically is fine. It’s just that in most standard installations, horizontal placement makes it simpler to guarantee that all fixing points are properly supported.

So, as long as your studs are in the right positions, vertical installation won’t create any problems. Here's a copy of the installation guide.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell