Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
By /
Exterior cladding protects a home from the elements and pests. It also makes a great visual statement, whether on a new build or giving an existing house a dramatic makeover by changing the cladding.
There’s a wealth of cladding options to choose from: timber, fibre cement, stone or aluminium. The best option for your home depends on your style preference, the maintenance you’re willing to commit to and your location. While cladding options are many and varied, two of the most common (particularly if you're looking to retrofit) are timber fibre cement. The extensive remodelling of this red-brick house for example is cleverly disguised by cladding the structure in James Hardie ‘Linea’ fibre cement weatherboards.
From the elegance of a heritage bungalow to the rough-sawn rusticity of a rural cabin, timber cladding has character. Smooth, painted weatherboards of the type used on Queenslanders and Californian bungalows give a home classic charm, and 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, etc. – and finishes, from rough to smooth and every texture in between.
Unlike fibre cement, timber does require some maintenance. It needs to 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, although this will depend on factors like sun exposure and the quality of coating used. Some timber-based composite systems are more easy-care and boast strong eco credentials. Jason O’Hagan of Weathertex (which is made using 97 percent hardwood from controlled sources and three percent natural wax) says, “our cladding has a better-than-zero carbon footprint.”
The home below uses Weathertex unprimed ‘Weathergroove’ panels in 'Natural', capturing the appeal of raw, undressed timber.
Fibre cement is a material that comes in an enormous range of textures and profiles. 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, which are “large panels that are a modern take on traditional vertical joint timber cladding”. He also notes that “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 also 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 benefits. Many products are non-combustible (perfect for fire-prone areas), resistant to moisture, rot and termites, and are relatively low maintenance. “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 soft-bristle brush,” says Christian.
The build pictured below is classic yet contemporary, with a minimalist shape and narrow horizontal ‘Linea’ weatherboards from James Hardie.
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.
The home pictured below is built with neat ‘Linea’ weatherboards from James Hardie in nautical hues, nailing the Hamptons style.
“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. "Brick walls can be tricky to retrofit with cladding. A structural engineer should ensure the wall is suitable first," Christian says. Attaching cladding "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; 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. 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.”
Overcladding a home is a big job, but if you’ve got a solid skill base, it may be a D.I.Y. task. Composite timber panels are usually the easiest D.I.Y. option; they’re lightweight, allowing for single-person installation, and they can be cut and installed using standard carpentry tools. Look for a self-locking system, like Weathertex ‘Primelok’ and ‘Selflok’, and carefully follow the installation manual.
Fibre cement is similarly straightforward to install, but “it can be heavy and installers need the proper safety equipment and cutting tools as outlined in James Hardie’s best practice guide," Christian cautions. "For safety and best practice, we recommend you use a qualified carpenter.”
Before you start any cladding project, 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.
The home pictured below uses James Hardie ‘Fine Texture Cladding’ which offers a clean, uncluttered look with a subtle matt finish.
Wide Groove: VJ with a modern twist.
Rustic: Tactile hewn texture.
Shiplap: Classic real timber.
Woodgrain: No fuss and versatile.
Eco-friendly: Made of recycled materials.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
We offer delivery, vehicle and trailer hire. Check out our services page to book it in.
Photo Credit: Weathertex/Uxpace, James Hardie and Weathertex/Rogue Road
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
