Better Than New

Seven years of stress ended when failed cladding was replaced with durable Hardie™ fibre cement cladding, transforming a Canterbury home inside and out. 

When cladding failure threatened their beloved Box Modern home in Pegasus, a Canterbury couple faced a future of stress and uncertainty. They’d chosen the contemporary design specifically for how it complemented the Canterbury landscape, but the original cladding had failed, leaving them unable to fully enjoy their property. 

The homeowners’ brief to builder Ryan Ferguson was to make the recladding process as effortless as possible and for their home to look like it did before, but better. Ryan quickly identified the perfect solution – a future-proofed reclad using Hardie™ fibre cement cladding that would restore both their home and their peace of mind.

“The original cladding was a product failure, so we had to cut that out, reframe the external walls and jump in with James Hardie’s cladding system,” says Ryan. Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete was the ideal product for the reclad because it enhanced the sharp, crisp lines of the home. 

The panels’ finish is reminiscent of softly brushed concrete, creating a smooth, contemporary appearance from a distance that is unexpectedly tactile up close. While the result may give the impression of extensive artisan work, James Hardie’s embedded texture technology creates beautiful consistent textures without the need for expensive labour. Having worked with Hardie™ fibre cement products before, Ryan was particularly impressed by the option for big sheet sizes. 

The panels are available in 1200mm wide sheets in common wall heights up to 3600mm, meaning minimal joins and maximum coverage. The panels are also pre-sealed and ready to paint, making finishing fast and easy. With the panels being painted Wattyl Grey Ember.

“We were able to clad quickly, and be more efficient and sustainable because there was less waste. The texture is really cool – it gives them the Box Modern aesthetic and works well with the deck.” With a 15-year product warranty, there are no more quality headaches for these homeowners. 

And because the cladding is made from low-maintenance fibre cement, it can be painted any colour. The homeowners had to move out while the work was done, but Ryan says they were a dream to work with. “They made the place feel like a home, even though we kicked them out while we did the repairs. They were very kind homeowners with a full fridge, which made the build process enjoyable, and why I still pop by! 

They kept the morale high and were excited to see their home being repaired.” After so many years of stress and uncertainty, dropping the scaffolding and removing the shrink wrap was a special moment for everyone on site. 

“Our only regret is that we didn’t build it sooner!” the homeowner concludes.