Customer Reviews for GAF WeatherSide Purity Thatched 12 in. x 24 in. Fiber-Cement Siding Shingle (19-Bundle)

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Product is thin and brittle. Lots of chips on the corners. I would not recommend this product and wish I had used the thicker stuff. Also only used one piece from the box and cannot return it for a store credit so I'm stuck with it.

I would not recommend this product for installation by a DIY'er. It is difficult to cut, it breaks/cracks easily, it is difficult to predrill for nailing outside of the predrilled pattern. I cannot rate the quality of the material because I only recently installed it and do not know it's long term viability.

Matches existing asbestos shingles in look and size, easy to work with (only broke one shingle using cutter technique and i was cutting some funky shapes), and arrived well packed and undamaged.

Product was good unfortunately a bundle came in with all shakes split down the middle. Wish I could get credit for them.

The fiber cement siding was quite a bit more brittle and difficult to work with than the original fiber cement siding. I struggled to not break the siding when cutting custom pieces.

I love it. I need more. The sound proofing was an unexpected bonus.

Shingles's had broken edges almost every other one, not a very durable product as far as handling. Break very easily!

Didn't look like I had expected. It looked like 1970's siding, which I guess is good if you're trying to match that. I was going for more of a shingle look and was disappointed. Quality seems fine and installation was fairly easy, though as others have mentioned it is very brittle.

It is very fragile and installation is not as easy!

Usable in right application. Fairly brittle and tough to drill. Decent finished look.

Absolutely terrible installation method! I won't ever use this again. Breakage was 50% - took two (2) pieces to get one that fit, the other would break while trying to install. Dumbest product installation method ever conceived. Like nailing up glass. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!!

Almost an exact match to the existing old asbestos tiles on my 1925 garage. It is noticeable they are a different stagger then the originals but that is fine to match the addition that was put on the back of the garage. I used a kick shear to cut the tiles, and out of all the tiles only one got slight surface cracks in it while being cut. None broke during the actual installation, even when I missed a nail and hit the tile very hard. I cut on for a close fit with a notch in it and used the band saw with wood blade for that. Installation was easy and the directions were very clear and concise but did lack an exposure dimension. That was easily ascertained. Just measure up 10.5 inches from top of the first course to snap your next chalk line. All boxes of tiles arrived unbroken and very well packaged. The tiles took paint very well. I would recommend this product.

The shingles had very little detail. The nail holes being at the bottom of the shingle was an eye sore. I was very disappointed in the product and returned the shingles.

Excellent alternative and replacement product for asbestos shingles.

I did not like them. They were paper thin. There were no instructions on how to install them. Our contractor put them on upside down so the shingles are straight across instead of staggered because the nail bikes were inward the bottom of the shingle instead of the top. So in order to hide the nails the they had to turn them upside down which gave it a straight edge.

Very brittle, requires nails to show, requires pre drilling the lap-over courses, does take paint well.

We ordered these to side an old porch that we were closing in on an old house. Looked great. We used a wet saw for cutting which made the job easier and much less dusty. The product was shipped to the house via Pitt Ohio. The freight company personnel were friendly and courteous. The HD price was super reasonable considering the free delivery. It is an expensive product but I was able to return 1 bundle because there was less waste than expected.

This product is very difficult to install. It breaks easy. Do not purchase this unless you are replacing the exact same thing and must use it. There are many other options on the market that look better and are much easier to install

Unlike other reviews, my package was delivered unbroken. However, working with fiber-cement requires to be very, very calm... As mentioned, it is very easy to break the shingles. When I was not breaking the shingles, I was breaking the drill-bits while attempting to drill holes for the nails (if anyone has a tip to make holes in this material, feel free to share). Despite using a diamond blade from DeWalt for my circular saw, the finish cut was far from being perfect. The process of sawing is also rather unpleasant as tons of micro-bits fly everywhere: it is a must to protect your eyes. I regret that these shingles are not sold in smaller packages as I only needed five of them. Also, paint does not stick very well. Anyway, there are no alternatives for this product on the market and, at the end of the day - despite all the trouble -, my wall looked much better.

I had to replace some old wood fiber shake style siding that had moisture damage from shrubs sitting against it. It took some prep work because the pieces are 2 feet long and did not hit the 16 inch gaps of the studs. Had to put up some strips to attach them to. They come with three pre-drilled holes each, but better have a drill and masonry bit, because you'll need more. They also break fairly easily so make sure not to hit with your hammer or drop. Otherwise, I have a pretty close match and hard to see the difference after painting.

Here's what's not made clear in the product specs...cement fiber siding will shatter with just a sideways glance if temperatures are anything less than 60 degrees. This product shattered when cut, shattered when nailed, and shattered when hurled to the ground out of sheer frustration. Installed on 45 to 50 degree day. Wasted over 20% of product via breakage. Attempted to warm material indoors, but even attachment through previously installed tiles caused materials to shatter underneath. Would not attempt to install product again unless exterior in direct sunlight on plus 70 degree day...IMO. OTHER THAN THAT, product was difficult to cut and created endless clouds of concrete dust from masonry blade. Finished product...very little relief with only 1/4 inch thickness. Impact of shingle very subtle...might as well be lap siding.