<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1890217821; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:470875582 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> Hello.  Central Wisconsin DIYer here.

I am building a small ICF (Reward Wall) house built into a hill, and now I am on to choosing the siding for the exposed areas.  Due to budget constraints, I was planning on going with vinyl for now and changing out in the future, but recently noticed Certainteed Weatherboards on sale for $0.75 a square foot at big box store near me. 

• I have seen both pros and cons for Certainteed's fiber cement siding online and would like to know if anyone here has used it.  Ever seen them shrink or warp?
• Also, I am thinking of attaching ¾" furring strips (with screws) vertically from roof to ground every foot or so on the ICF walls and nailing the fiber cement siding onto with that with a nail gun.  Would that work? Or would I still have to use screws on the siding?
• Lastly, the Reward Wall site mentions using a building wrap under siding.  I was thinking that the ¾" gap might create a sufficient drainage plane so that I could skip that…but I don't want to make a mistake on that one.

I am still trying to decide between that and vinyl.  All advice is appreciated.  Thanks.

I have used Certainteed Weatherboards and it is great siding. Do not even think about comparing it to vinyl. Go for the fiber cement siding any day. I am not sure about the furring strips in the Reward Walls, but here is what you do. Attach a piece of siding directly to the Reward wall and see how easy it is to pull/pry it off. If you are sufficiently pleased with the attachment strength, then just use a building wrap as suggested and forget the 3/4" furring strips. You will save a ton of time. Besides, the furring strips will be attached to the forms, so what is the difference? If the Reward forms have drainage lines in them, then I don't even see the need for building wrap. Building wrap is mostly just a moisture barrier anyway and you already have that with the Reward wall system.

I would suggest that you check with the fiber cement manufacturer.  Some companies are encouraging the use of furring strips or at least an air space behind the fiber cement siding so it can dry out also from the back side.