Board and Batten Cladding with HardieFlex Sheet

Hardie fibre cement products – trusted by architects and builders around the country.

Choose a builder you can trust, follow their recommendations, and enjoy the process. These top tips by new home owners Sharon Dodds and Tony Moans follow a highly successful build in Taupo using board and batten cladding, managed by Sam Coxhead of Design Builders. Their picture perfect home is perched atop Loch Eagles hill in Taupo and combines classic lake-land style and modern architectural thinking.

This beautiful, contemporary home makes the most of its wonderful setting and spectacular views over Lake Taupo. Sharyn and Tony wanted to spend as much time as possible on the design and planning phase so they could hand it all over to the Design Builders team for the duration of the build phase, which got underway in September 2016. “The planning stage was incredibly important for us as we were living four hours away in Orewa, so entrusted the build completely to our team.”

Material selection

When it came to deciding on the materials to use in their home, the couple put themselves in the hands of the experts - the Design Builders team. “Products throughout the house were recommended to us by our builders and we trusted their recommendations,” says Sharyn. “We wanted products that would last and require minimal upkeep,” says Sharon. Due to the home’s location on a hilltop exposed to the elements, a truly durable solution was required to keep it snug.

Hardie Flex Sheet was chosen as the cladding for its toughness and resistance to fire and damage from moisture and rot. This material in combination with RAB Board, which provides structural strength, insulation and noise proofing, means the house is encased in a rigid air barrier system that protects it from anything the Lake Taupo weather conditions can throw at it for many years to come.

The products are all made from solid fibre cement, pioneered by James Hardie in the mid-1980s for our unique conditions. Recognised both locally and globally for their beauty and durability, James Hardie products are used by builders and architects wanting to build better homes for the future.

“Hardie Flex came to us with a 15-year warranty. We chose to paint it black and are so happy with the end result. It looks stunning!” says Sharyn. The cladding was customised to resemble board and batten cladding, and painted black, makes a contemporary statement against the dramatic landscape of Lake Taupo.

To create a heritage feel inside the home, Hardie Groove Lining was selected for its tongue-and-groove effect in the living area and entryway spaces. Hardie Groove Lining also requires minimal maintenance and offers outstanding impact resistance, so it retains its good looks for years to come. “We wanted a home with a classic design that would last over the years but that was unique to us,” says Sharyn.

"Since moving in, the Dodds-Moan family have been rapt with their home. It’s a joy to live in,” says Sharon.

For a successful build, follow the advice of our recent home owners, and ask for James Hardie's products by name.