11 minute read
FIRST IMPRESSIONS Find out how cladding can transform a facade
First impressions LIFT YOUR HOME’S STREET APPEAL WITH CLADDING
Words LOUISE BELFIELD
Exterior cladding protects a home from the elements, pests and even fire. Significantly, it also makes a great visual statement. While it’s a big decision on a new build, changing the cladding on an existing house can be a great way to complete a dramatic makeover.
Weathertex horizontal ‘Selflok Ecogroove’ and vertical ‘Weathergroove’ smooth panels are planet-friendly and enhance the lines of this striking modern home
Meet your match
There’s a wealth of cladding options to choose from: timber, fibre cement, brick, stone or metal. The best one for your home will depend on the look you’re after, the maintenance you’re willing to commit to, and the requirements of your site; for example, some materials are better than others if your home is at risk of bushfires – always consider the bushfire attack level (BAL) rating of the product.
While cladding options are many and varied, two of the most common, particularly if you’re looking to retrofit, are timber and fibre cement.
Timber
From the elegance of a heritage bungalow to the rough-sawn rusticity of a rural cabin, timber cladding has character in spades. Smooth, painted weatherboards of the type used on Queenslanders and Californian bungalows give a home classic charm, but this old-school material is equally at home on a modern build, bringing texture and warmth to otherwise minimalist architecture. Explore the different profiles – narrow boards, diamond-shaped, board and batten, and so much more – and finishes, from rough to smooth and every texture in between.
Unlike fibre cement, timber does require a significant degree of maintenance. It must be treated with paint, stain or oil to protect the material from the elements, prevent rot and keep it looking its best. This will need to be reapplied regularly – about every 10 years for paint and two to four years for stain or oil, though this will depend on factors like sun exposure and the quality of coating used.
However, some timber-based composite systems are more easy-care and boast strong eco credentials. Jason O’Hagan of Weathertex (which is made using 97 per cent hardwood from controlled sources and three per cent natural wax) says, “Our cladding has a better-than-zero carbon footprint.”
Before
ABOVE Classic meets contemporary on this minimalist build with narrow horizontal ‘Linea’ weatherboards from James Hardie LEFT AND ABOVE The extensive remodelling of this red-brick house is cleverly disguised by cladding the structure in James Hardie ‘Linea’ fibre cement weatherboards
Fibre cement
There’s no one ‘look’ associated with fibre cement – this chameleon material comes in an enormous range of textures and profiles.
GET THE LOOK…
Hamptons
Opt for timber or fibre cement weatherboards with sharp shadow lines in white, neutral or dark hues.
Crisp contemporary
Choose rendered-look fibre cement panel cladding for a minimalist look.
Modern farmhouse
Capture a Scandi barn vibe with a mix of horizontal and vertical cladding.
Mid-century modern
Use long, horizontal lines, juxtaposed with warm timber accents.
Mix-and-match modern Add a layered look to a contemporary build with multiple cladding styles.
Neat ‘Linea’ weatherboards from James Hardie in nautical hues nail Hamptons style
Christian Hansen at James Hardie says the most popular profiles over the last decade have been their ‘Linea’ weatherboards, which are “perfect for Hamptons and modern coastal-style homes”, and ‘Axon’ cladding panels, “large panels that are a modern take on traditional vertical joint timber cladding”. But, he notes, “More recently, there’s been a strong demand for fewer decorative details.”
As well as taking on the look of timber weatherboards, fibre cement is available in textured panels that give the look and feel of a rendered surface. “While traditional rendered walls are labour intensive, Hardie Fine Texture Cladding comes in convenient panels that slot together and only require a few coats of exterior paint,” says Christian.
Fibre cement boasts plenty of ‘pros’. Many products are non-combustible (perfect for fire-prone areas), resistant to moisture, rot and termites, and relatively low maintenance.
Christian Hansen, James Hardie
Keep in mind...
n Before starting any project, consider all health and safety risks and make sure you get professional advice where needed. Ensure you have the necessary skills, use the correct tools and wear appropriate safety equipment. n Always double check local, state and federal building requirements before embarking on an exterior cladding project. n If renovating an older home, be aware that houses built before 1990 may contain asbestos. Exposure to disturbed asbestos can cause life-threatening diseases. For more information on the dangers of asbestos and how to deal with it, visit bunnings.com.au/health-and-safety or contact your local council’s Environmental Health Officer. “Most Hardie cladding is painted, so it just needs a wash down with a garden hose once or twice a year to remove dirt. For stubborn grime, use a softbristle brush,” says Christian.
Can I retrofit?
“Generally, weatherboards can be retrofitted over any type of existing wall, as long as it complies with the National Construction Code,” says Jason O’Hagan. However, cladding cannot be attached directly to brickwork, explains Christian. “Doing this might make it difficult for the house to breathe – and you can’t nail into bricks,” he says. “So if you want to reclad over bricks, you’d have to install a weather barrier and battens over the brickwork. The battens create a cavity between the bricks and the new cladding that lets moisture run down and out the bottom.”
Cladding products can be used to replace deteriorated cladding;
Weathertex unprimed ‘Weathergroove’ panels in Natural have the appeal of raw, undressed timber
ABOVE James Hardie ‘Fine Texture Cladding’ offers a clean, uncluttered look with a subtle matt finish
in this case, old cladding is removed to reveal the existing frame, onto which the new cladding is nailed. If the frame isn’t straight, this can be rectified with battens.
House exteriors are, of course, complicated by structures such as windows. And as the wall essentially becomes ‘fatter’ by overcladding, Christian explains you have two choices: “Leave the windows flush with the old cladding and veneer and build an external sill to bridge the gap cavity created by the battens. Or, push the windows outwards, flush with the cladding, and have a larger sill inside the house.”
Can I DIY?
Overcladding a home is a big job, but if you’ve got a solid skill base, it may be a task you can DIY. Composite timber panels are likely the easiest DIY option; they’re lightweight, allowing for single-person installation, and can be cut and installed using standard carpentry tools. Look for a self-locking system, like Weathertex ‘Primelok’ and ‘Selflok’, and follow the installation manual carefully.
Fibre cement is similarly straightforward to install but, Christian cautions, “It can be heavy and installers need the proper PPE and cutting tools as outlined in James Hardie’s best practice guide. For safety and best practice, we recommend you use a qualified carpenter.”
No matter which you choose, before you start, have your home inspected for hazards such as electrical or structural issues, or materials that might include lead paint and asbestos, especially if your home was built before 1990. If these are present, use a specialist to install the cladding.
SHOP
WIDE GROOVE
VJ with a modern twist
James Hardie ‘Axon Smooth’ 2750mm x 1200 x 9mm 400mm cladding, $188.24/3.3sqm, I/N: 0710549
RUSTIC
Tactile hewn texture
Weathertex ‘Selflok Millwood’ 3660mm x 300mm ruff sawn weatherboard, $59.33, I/N: 0246133†
SHIPLAP
Classic real timber
Modinex 133mm x 18mm T&G L/M cedar shiplap cladding, I/N: 0100390†
WOODGRAIN
No-fuss and versatile
James Hardie ‘HardiPlank’ 4200mm x 230mm x 7.5mm woodgrain FC weatherboard, $31.21, I/N: 0716249
ECO-FRIENDLY
Made of recycled materials
PermaTimber 5.4m x 200mm x 28mm CX composite timber castellated cladding in Tasmanian Oak, $221, I/N: 0054417†
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Stria™ Cladding
Futureproof
A new extension equips this charming 1930s bungalow for modern family living
With their elegant detailing and sense of history, heritage homes can be rich with charm – but are not necessarily best equipped for modern living. This tiny detail would not deter Anita, who came into this 1930s California bungalow with a clear vision for its future, while still respecting its past.
THE ART OF PLANNING
Searching for a new home for her family, Anita was driven by a mix of practicality and instinct. “I had a checklist. It had to be a certain size, a certain location and have good bones. And I had a gut feeling. I knew when I walked in. I knew what I wanted: open-plan, with a high and raked ceiling,” she explains. Undeniably charming from the front, the home had the potential to accommodate an open, light-filled extension to cater to the indoor-outdoor lifestyle of a modern family.
PRACTICAL MAGIC
This clear-eyed and workable approach extended to Anita’s choice of cladding. She loved Hardie™ Exterior Cladding Solutions, and in particular, the wide board profile of Hardie™ Stria™ Cladding. Anita knew it was tough enough to take this home into the future. “I’ve used it before on my last home, which was right on the coast and gets battered by nature. So I knew it was durable,” she says. Stria™ Cladding was also a perfect fit for the design Anita envisioned. “My familiarity and experience with Stria™ Cladding really informed how the design would come about,” she explains. “I was able to achieve the angles and shapes I wanted for the whole back extension.”
Without being limited by the durability issues of timber or the weight worries of masonry, Anita and architect Lyndal Williams of My Architect could get exactly the result Anita wanted. Plus, the cladding’s aesthetic gave the design a point of difference.
Hardie™ Stria™ Cladding is easy to install Hardie™ Stria™ Cladding defines the extension’s clean, modern look
When selecting materials, consider not just how they look but also their durability and maintenance needs
MODERN CLASSIC
While she adored the historic charm of the original home, Anita wanted the extension to tell a new story. “I was keen to find a period house and restore it, protecting it for the future, but I wanted something different to distinguish the front of the house from the rear,” she says. Switching the exterior cladding materials from front to back was a simple design trick that nails the narrative. “The original weatherboards were horizontal, and I wanted something vertical and different,” Anita explains.
The vertical lines of Stria™ Cladding emphasise the high ceilings in the extension, while clearly marking this zone as a new chapter in the home’s history.
Hardie™ Stria™ 4200mm x 325mm x 14mm cladding, $114.40, I/N: 0710349 @jameshardieau
@jameshardieau
Get inspiration at jameshardie.com.au/ modern-look
BEFORE
The smooth, natural sand texture of Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding adds warmth
Hardie™ Fine Texture 3000mm x 1200mm x 8.5mm cladding, $174.72, I/N: 0152168 Fine Texture Cladding
Building for balance
A beautiful home studio brings joy to the workday – thanks to Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding
Working from home was a challenging adjustment for many, including interior designer Rhiannon Lee of Oleander & Finch Interiors, who was working around her three young boys – not exactly an environment to foster creativity! Moving her work from dining table to dedicated office space was an essential next step for her flourishing business.
DESIGNER’S TRICKS
Rhiannon’s home in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges is modern country style – a little rustic, a little luxe – and she wanted a space that would complement the home while embracing a more contemporary aesthetic. Rhiannon is a moodboard master, so she set to work on a vision for the exterior. “It allowed me to mix up finishes and exterior choices like colours and lighting,” she says. Having specified James Hardie products for clients, she knew the range well – the only challenge was deciding which cladding to choose!
THE PERFECT FIT
With a modern space in mind, Rhiannon realised flat panel cladding was the obvious choice, but Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding offered something extra. “I am obsessed with organic and textural details across all of my designs, and once I received samples of a few different choices so I could tangibly look and feel the product, I was sold,” says Rhiannon. “I love that it’s fire resistant, which is a necessary precaution here in a rural setting, and that it is a soft, warm material, too.”
Painted a delicate, muted tone, it sits comfortably in the landscape and reflects the contemporary-classic style for which Rhiannon is known.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Building the studio was a family DIY effort using mostly local and reclaimed materials. All up, the build took three months of weekends, but Rhiannon says, “The Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding went on in a weekend and, excluding the sub-floor, the deck took about an hour to build, it was such a simple DIY.”
The impact of the project has been extraordinary, giving Rhiannon an inspiring space for her work, while preserving the home as a place for family life.
Discover what’s possible with Hardie™ Exterior Cladding solutions: download the James Hardie Modern Look Book today
@jameshardieau
@jameshardieau
