James Hardie Australia announces the launch of a new exterior cladding system that combines bold design with bespoke groove combinations to deliver a sophisticated look to modern homes.
Transforming Australian modern home design, James Hardie’s latest innovation, Hardie Oblique Cladding is a fibre cement shiplap board solution, which adds clean lines and geometric precision to bring bold design to life on home exteriors.
Hardie Oblique Cladding is a low-risk specification with a high buildability and quality finish. At 14mm thick, the robust shiplap boards allow for deep, wide grooves with one angled edge and one square edge. The 175mm or 275mm groove spacing allows highlights and shadows to emerge, giving sophisticated depth to exterior walls.
When installed vertically, Hardie Oblique Cladding exemplifies modern minimalism, providing a sleek, confident and contemporary effect. Available in 2750mm and 4200mm lengths, the boards helps minimise waste while providing a beautifully seamless finish to tall modern exterior walls. The 4200mm lengths can extend high into steeply pitched gables without interruption, making it ideal for striking architectural forms and features.
Adding to its appeal, Hardie Oblique Cladding comes in two board widths of 200mm and 300mm to offer multiple installation options, from simple repetition of one width for clean lines and simplicity, to an alternating rhythm or artfully staggered combination of the two widths delivering a fresh, contemporary aesthetic.
Combining 200mm and 300mm widths of Hardie Oblique Cladding in a bespoke arrangement showcases its versatility. A staggered width installation provides a point of difference on the building project ‘Twin Peaks’ comprising two gabled pavilions.
The bespoke arrangement brings depth and character to the façade, as well as generous proportions and a modern look on account of the boards’ widths. To make the exterior even more striking, the vertical cladding was combined with vintage bricks.
Essential to this visual effect is the way the grooves are cut in the individual boards – one side of the groove is angled whilst the other is vertical, creating a juxtaposition of shadow and highlight. Combined with the two width options, the product allows architects to create patterns and rhythms and an ever-shifting interplay of shadow and light.
While the two board widths allow for aligning with windows and architectural features, the 4.2-metre board length also provides for a premium finish. “We use Hardie Oblique Cladding a lot of the time due to the board length,” says designer Nathan Punton of PXA Architects. “We don’t need to do a flashing joint – we can just use the full 4.2-metre piece for a full gable end and the 2.75-metre piece for the side elevations.”
Adding to Twin Peaks’ striking look is the Resene Element colour chosen for the Hardie Oblique Cladding. Delivered pre-primed, Hardie Oblique Cladding can be painted any colour, including darker shades without fear of warping or splitting. Made with Hardie premium fibre cement, it will stay looking good and is resistant to damage from termites, rot and moisture, and engineered to stand up to coastal and other harsh conditions.
Deemed non-combustible, Hardie Oblique Cladding adheres to Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements, up to BAL40 and can achieve a Fire Resistance Level (FRL) of up to 60 minutes when installed as part of the Hardie Smart Fire & Acoustic Wall System. CoreMark certification provides confidence and assurance that when installed in accordance with the requirements of the installation guide, it complies with the relevant requirements of the NCC.
Bringing modern design to life with its wide grooves and bespoke design flexibility, Hardie Oblique Cladding is the ultimate complement to Australia’s favourite modern looks and is perfect for recladding existing homes or using from the ground up for a new build or extension.
