Installation also says that cut ends need to be sealed (paint or caulk) and it has to be two inches above a roof or other horizontalish surface.

I've had to replace a bunch on dormers because it was installed in contact with shingles, wicked water flowing down the roof pitch and disintegrated. I've also seen it disintegrate from splash back on decks with no gutters above.

As an aside, I'm pretty sure the historic districts won't accept Hardi on the front facade of a house, but I can't find anything definitive about it at the moment. Do you know if this is accurate?