Hardie Board installation questions

[ScottyWI]

I picked up a 1/4" thick 3x5' piece of the Hardie backer board. will be installing in my basement (pic attached)

How long are the anchors supposed to be? I keep running into mixed information on this. Also, say when installing the inverter, are you going through the Hardie Board *and* the concrete behind it, or just the Hardie Board? only asking because I feel 1/4" thick alone wouldn't be enough?

sorry for the stupid questions, I've never had to install this before. TIA

 

[Q-Dog]

What is the backer board for? Fire resistance?

 

[CVCPJared]

I feel 1/4" thick alone wouldn't be enough?

What's the purpose of the backer board? Im asking because usually the purpose for the backer board is fire protection but you're mounting concrete board over concrete, so im guessing not? Sometimes people put a sheet of plywood as something to mount to, and then hardie board over it as fire protection for that plywood. But hardie board alone (especially thinner stuff) isnt the greatest as a mount, as it can crack pretty easily

 

[SplitUniverse]

if your inverter is any heavier than a lunch box I would drive those anchors into the concrete, better safe than sorry.

 

[ScottyWI]

want a nice clean surface to mount the equipment on. the house is a tad over 100yrs old. I'd rather not mount it directly on the beat up walls

 

[Q-Dog]

You need to get the equipment anchored into the wall. Hardie board barely has enough strength to hold itself to the wall.

 

[Kirkstone]

I'd put 5/8" plywood under the Hardie board so your equipment mounting screws have something to bite into. Mark mounting holes and drill through just the cement board first so you don't shatter it.

 

[ScottyWI]

I'd put 5/8" plywood under the Hardie board so your equipment mounting screws have something to bite into. Mark mounting holes and drill through just the cement board first so you don't shatter it.

I think that is a good idea. also the wall isn't as flat as I had hoped, the backer board may snap when trying to mount it with nothing in between

 

[Kirkstone]

I think that is a good idea. also the wall isn't as flat as I had hoped, the backer board may snap when trying to mount it with nothing in between

Then I'd use the correct thickness standoffs between the plywood and the foundation wall to make sure the mounted plywood is as flat as possible.

 

[Q-Dog]

Another option. Clean and paint the wall. Mount superstrut to the wall. Hang heavy stuff from the strut.