Historically, claddings whether wall or roof was the first line of defense against extreme weather. While this remains true today, the range of cladding options available mean that other considerations like style and sustainability figure more prominently.
There are several important things to consider when selecting a cladding product for your home, whether you are building a new home or re-cladding your existing home:
Durability
Depending upon the weather exposure your house your faces, you may choose different materials. The adverse weather conditions to consider are:
All of these weather conditions can cause damage to poorly selected cladding materials. In New Zealand there are many locations where you must consider all of the above stated extreme weather conditions at different times of the year.
Coastal, salty air erodes paint and deteriorates timber substrates a lot quicker so it requires nearly constant maintenance. Many older-style seaside home renovations are being re-clad with Linea™ Weatherboard. Linea Weatherboard is nearly indistinguishable from traditional weatherboards, allowing homeowners to maintain the desired look. But because it is manufactured from low-density fibre cement using James Hardie’s breakthrough CLD® technology, Linea Weatherboard is much more durable, fire resistant and requires minimal maintenance.
Sun exposure is also a key factor when selecting your cladding, thermal movements generated by the sun can damage paintwork and can warp timber weatherboards. Linea Weatherboard’s inherent stability means that it can withstand high sun exposure even when painted in the dark modern colours that are popular today.
Effective bracing is crucial for homes situated in high-wind zones, and the right cladding product can help to achieve strong bracing. Ensure the appropriate cladding material is selected and installed correctly to ensure the maximum structural strength is achieved for your home.
Moisture is governed by Clause-E2/AS1 of New Zealand Building Code (NZBC). It is important to select a product that complies with the weathertightness requirements of the NZBC. The cladding installation method will depend upon on a number of factors like the eaves overhang, wind zone, number of storeys or critical junctions etc . The construction methods wil be determined by the designer considering the risk matrix analysis based on the above mentioned factors.
Aesthetic
It is important to make sure that the cladding you choose can achieve the look that you want for your home. Monolithic and panel cladding products, such as Axon™ Panel and Titan™ Façade Panel, offer a modern architectural look, while Linea™ Weatherboard takes back to a more traditional look. Because James Hardie’s cladding products are inherently stable, they are suitable for use in harsh conditions we have here in New Zealand.
Environmental
Everyone is talking about sustainability these days, and consumers want to know that the products they buy are not damaging our planet, and that the companies who manufacture the building materials have a commitment to maintaining sustainable, environmentally friendly practices. James Hardie’s commitment to sustainability is fully covered in the Smarter Green pages on our website.
Warranty
It’s important to make sure that the products you purchase come with a product warranty for your piece of mind. All James Hardie products come with a 15 year product warranty when installed and maintained correctly, and James Hardie Linea Weatherboard carries a 25-year product warranty. Visit www.jameshardie.co.nz for more information.
Installation
You need to know that you can trust your builder to install the cladding product you have chosen correctly. James Hardie has recognised installers who are well experienced in installing our products. Choosing a recognised installer will ensure your product is installed correctly and long term performance ensured. Search for your nearest Recognised installer on our web site at www.jameshardie.co.nz
