Thinking of using 4' X8' sheets of Hardie board to upgrade the appearance of a building that has plain masonry block walls. Can hardie board be applied directly to the block without furring strips, etc? Can it be glued to the surface with construction adhesive? Any special techniques or precautions recommended?

Pick the product your are planning to use and we'll go from there. JamesHardie Siding (http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/siding.shtml) I am not familiar with any Hardi siding product that comes in a 4x8 sheet. You are thinking of their underlayment Hardibacker , are you?

New at this. Not sure how to post response to questions about my question.
To ballengerb1: fiber-cement board comes in both planks and panels. I put some on a frame construction last year in 4' X 9' sheets. The invoice listed it as Hardy Siding.

OK open the link I posted earlier and surf their website for products. Let me know which product you picked. If the invoice actually said Hardy Siding it could be a knoick off brand because James Hardy calls his product HardiePlank. His sub flooring is Hardiebacker

Hardi does make a sheet product, it comes in up to 4' x 10' sheets. I would put it on furring strips then infill between them with rigid insulation to beef up your R value while your are at it. Here is the link to the installation instructions from hardi.

HardiePanel Siding (http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/products_siding_hardiepanelSiding.py?openTab=jsnav Link0)

Amricca, what is it called or can you give me a link? Never seen that on their site for Hardie.

Ballenger - It is called Hardi Panel siding, check the link I put on post #5.