Materials Matter: Bringing Color Back to the Street
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43 Years ago, James Hardie eliminated the need to prime; now they’ve eliminated the need to paint with their exclusive ColorPlus® Technology process. This technology uses heat curing to bond color onto the substrate and delivers a consistent finish and optimal adhesion. James Hardie is the only manufacturer in the industry that does not rely on third-party prefinishers. Performance issues are often the result of poor installation practices. James Hardie partners with building science professionals to develop best practice guidelines and employs Installation Specialists around the country to teach these smarter, safer, more cost-effective methods to building crews on the job site. James Hardie launched the industry publication Streetscapes in 2005 to increase awareness of the need to create better places to live. They continue to build awareness through a monthly Streetscapes Online newsletter and by organizing educational workshops for design influencers around the nation. After 15 years of research and testing, Artisan® Lap is setting a new standard for architectural design. Patented DuraTech™ technology enables a product as thick as cedar, yet light enough for one person to handle. 42 In the late ’80s James Hardie introduced HardiePlank™ fiber-cement siding to the U.S. as a more durable, lowmaintenance replacement for wood-based products along the Pacific Northwest and Southern coastlines. HardieSoffit™ panels were introduced to replace wood and protect eaves from moisture and fire. Precut vented panels minimize the need for separate box or strip vents and the minimize need for cutting. HardieShingle™ offers a durable alternative to cedar in both individual shingles for smaller coverage areas and four-foot panels for larger areas. B r i n g i n g C o l o r B a c k t o t h e S t r e e t HardiePanel™ was developed for applications that call for vertical siding. Because of its structural strength, it may be used as a shear panel. Combine with HardieTrim batten strips for a board-and-batten design. By Denese Bottrell, James Hardie Building Products To protect citizens from products that haven’t performed well such as wood or vinyl, cities often instill ordinances restricting the use of siding or other materials. While these decisions are based on good intentions, this reaction to bad performance or design often limits our creativity and results in beige, boring streetscapes. One of the simplest ways to affect the outdoor room is considering the buildings along the street as the “walls” of the room. The right combination of materials, textures, color and accessories provide a tremendous opportunity to create a more inviting neighborhood. Without a durable siding alternative, many builders turned to brick and stucco. While both meet the functional aspect of design, they’re limiting in terms of color and texture. For visual interest, many builders have turned to more complicated designs which can be expensive to build. One cost-saving alternative has been to use brick on the front only, sacrificing durability and design on the remaining three sides. As new products and technologies are providing better building solutions, builders are finding they have more design options with materials that solve previous performance problems. Cities are also recognizing “siding” is no longer the issue. Many are changing aesthetic-oriented ordinances to address performance-based issues such as rot, insect and fire-resistance. Whether you’re responsible for writing design guidelines or buying a home, ask yourself if the materials used pass the “Function, Cost, Design” test. For exteriors - will they withstand the weather and insects in your area, will they be expensive to maintain, will they continue looking nice, do they add value, are you excited about the look, do you want to take care of it? SM Ma t e r i a l s Ma t t e r The desire to replace wood trim with a more durable alternative led to HardieTrim™ boards for columns, windows and doors. New technology created the industry’s first one-inch-thick fiber-cement trim board that’s lighter in weight, yet easy to cut and nail. James Hardie continues to introduce new building solutions while bringing design diversity back to the street. In the words of one developer, “To get people outside, you have to have something nice for them to look at.” Products such as James Hardie siding provide that beauty and the peace of mind they’re going to last. Green Before There Was “Green” While figuring out how we as individuals can contribute toward a greener world, it can be helpful to remind ourselves of the intention behind the movement. In the building industry alone, there are hundreds of green guideline programs. While the checklists may vary, they all share a common goal of creating a more efficient, healthier, longer-lasting built environment. Applying the principles of good design can help us do the right thing and select the right materials. Fiber-cement products from James Hardie have been considered green – even before the guideline programs were written. For over 20 years, James Hardie products have been specified on the greenest buildings in the world – and more recently, the highest LEED® rated buildings. Here’s why: n Ten manufacturing facilities support the regional economy and reduce the environmental impact resulting from transportation of materials. n Most raw materials are extracted and processed near each manufacturing facility. n Raw materials are low in toxicity – wood pulp, cement, sand and water. n Longer-lasting materials not only require fewer resources for replacement but also reduce maintenance and repair costs. n James Hardie’s unique factory-finishing technology delivers pre-painted siding products to the job site, eliminating VOCs during exterior painting. A 15-year finish warranty ensures a reduced need for repainting. n James Hardie siding is non-combustible in accordance with ASTM E 136 and can be installed to achieve MIAMI-DADE Large and Small Missile Impact Rating. n Manufacturing processes focus on quality and first-run materials. The Zero to Landfill project is aimed at reducing the amount of raw material waste being sent to landfills by half. To learn more about our contribution toward green program guidelines, visit www.jameshardie.com.