Design diversity: a new painted weatherboard

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22 April 2019

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4 min read

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Timber weatherboards have been used to clad New Zealand homes for over 100 years and over this time there has been a vast change in the style, versatility and complexity of how and where timber is used...

Timber weatherboards have been used to clad New Zealand homes for over 100 years, and over this time there has been a vast change in the style, versatility and complexity of how and where timber is used. A proven and trusted system that has the support of architects and designers, this cladding option is here to stay.

Hermpac has been manufacturing and supplying speciality timber products in New Zealand since 1974 and continues to be at the forefront of offering new and innovative solutions to meet those needs. 

Over the past ten years, Hermpac has developed from a manufacturing and supply base to now include a specialised in-house team dedicated to supporting all those involved in timber design and construction, both nationally and internationally.

“Our commitment to finding solutions for architecturally-designed buildings, backed with the technical support to ensure ease of installation for builders, ensures an end result that everyone can be proud of,” says Steve Carter, marketing and sales manager.

With our lives busier than ever, clients are increasingly looking for products that offer an attractive, high-end look coupled with a long-lasting and practical solution, and Hermpac’s new Ashin-Dura™ offers this.

Used either as a primary cladding or complemented with cedar, Ashin-Dura offers increased design diversity while remaining highly stable. This lightweight cladding system is easy to work with and the feedback from clients has been very positive. Early demand has seen initial shipments sell out on arrival.

Ashin-Dura is sourced from Canada and is a certified PEFC product, making it a sought-after cladding for New Zealanders who are looking to play their part with environmental choice.

Ashin-Dura is a quarter-sawn, stable and cost-effective cladding that can be painted with all paint colours with an LRV value of ≥40 per cent.

Ashin™ has traditionally been used as an interior timber for panelling, mouldings, sarking and interior joinery. Its consistent colour palette makes it a popular choice. However, by modifying the timber, Hermpac is able to offer this product externally, exceeding the durability requirement set down in the New Zealand Building Co.

“We have chosen to trademark Ashin™ and Ashin-Dura™ to differentiate ourselves in the market, and so that end users can be confident in what they receive. Ashin-Dura is exclusively selected directly at the source to meet the grade and grain selection process."

Behind all Hermpac’s new ideas and technologies is a robust testing phase. “It has taken around three years of rigorous, practical and on-site testing, as well as collaboration with the timber mills in Canada, to make sure the cut, processing and coatings are all consistent and reliable,” says Steve.

“Our success is illustrated through the fact that Ashin-Dura is now included in our BRANZ Appraisals and Codemark Certificates. We are, in fact, the only specialist timber manufacturer in New Zealand that has all our cladding systems both BRANZ Appraised and Codemark Certified.”

One of the main benefits of Ashin-Dura is that it offers a lot more design flexibility to both designers and homeowners. Steve says, “It raises the standard painted weatherboard to a product with more of a design edge. With Ashin-Dura, we can create a range of different profiles to create unique designs.”

As Ashin-Dura is a solid timber weatherboard there is no issue around seeing any “finger-joints” through the paint. Ashin-Dura is offered in two different finishes: bandsawn, which has a slightly rougher, natural texture, or in a smoother, dressed face option.

Over the decades, Hermpac has developed over 3,000 new profiles in response to market trends, including custom options in the ever-popular western red cedar and more than 15 different hard and soft woods.

“Innovation remains our focus,” says Steve. “Thanks to the fact that we can offer Ashin-Dura in most of our standard cedar profiles means the product offers a greater level of design flexibility at a reduced cost. We’re excited to continue to offer New Zealanders a range of high-quality, reliable and different speciality timber products.”

Check out the entire Hermpac range on ArchiPro here.

Ashin-Dura, HP61 Bandsawn Face.
Ashin-Dura, HP61 Bandsawn Face.