Making a Splash

When it comes to the design, layout and décor of our homes, each of us has very specific and individual requirements. But there's one thing that every New Zealand homeowner wants, and that's peace of mind - the knowledge that our homes are safe, healthy and built to last.

One room where this is particularly important is the bathroom. There's no other area in the house that sees as much water or is as frequently used. Whether you like your showers hot and steamy, or the kids' bath-time means there's more water on the walls and floor than in the tub, water is a constant and it's everywhere.

That's why durable, moisture- and impact-resistant bathroom wall linings are essential. The last thing you want to be doing is spending thousands in repairs because of leaks and associated damage.

It's for just this reason that so many Registered Master Builders use and recommend James Hardie Villaboard® Lining. Villaboard Lining combines the best of everything you need in your bathroom: not only is it cost-effective and reliable, but it's resistant to rotting, water and impact damage, and provides a solid and smooth surface for paint, wallpaper and tiles. What's more, Villaboard Lining can even be used on curved walls.

Jennian Homes, one of the largest residential building groups in New Zealand, uses Villaboard Lining in the bathrooms of every home it builds. "Villaboard Lining is part of our standard specification," says Deane Sanders, Jennian's Counties-Manukau Manager.

One of the company's recent projects is a six-unit development in Pukekohe, just south of Auckland. Designed by Ashby Baker Architectural, these modern, mono-pitch roof homes are clad in a combination of Linea® Weatherboard and plaster with stone feature columns. Each of the three-bedroom homes has a main bathroom on the ground level and a master bedroom with an ensuite upstairs.

Deane Sanders rates Villaboard Lining as a strong, durable and cost-effective wall lining that can take the knocks and easily handle moisture. "It's the ideal substrate for any surface finish and gives us the option of being able to paint, wallpaper or tile according to our clients' requirements," he says. "Another important benefit is that fixtures such as mirrors and heated towel rails can be easily attached to Villaboard."

Another recently finished home that uses Villaboard Lining in the bathrooms is this house in Half Moon Bay, Auckland. Designed by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects and built by Marty van der Burg Builders, the modern two-level home features very high-spec finishes and has three bedrooms, a large office, two bathrooms and a guest toilet.

Builder Marty van der Burg says his company uses Villaboard Lining on every house it builds. 

"The main reason I insist on using Villaboard is its superior water and impact resistance," he says. "It's a product that has integrity. It does what it says it's going to do. As a substrate behind something that has to be waterproof, I just wouldn't use anything else. It gives you total peace of mind that you won't have a problem."

Marty also strongly endorses other James Hardie products such as HardiePanel Compressed Sheet, which is used on the floor of the ensuite bathroom and guest toilet.

"Whenever I do two-level construction, I always put 20mm HardiePanel on the floor," he says. "Also, all the soffits in this house are 9mm Villaboard Soffit Lining."

Like Marty van der Burg builders, Sovereign Homes also uses Villaboard Lining in all of its bathrooms. The company's construction manager, Philip Powney, says that in addition to being a strong and durable product, Villaboard Lining is uncomplicated to install.

"It gives us a smooth, clean surface that can be tiled or painted. We've never used anything else. It's just something we don't question," he says.

Leading New Zealand home design-and build-company David Reid Homes is also a big advocate of Villaboard Lining. Alan Butcher from David Reid Homes says the company regularly uses the product in its bathrooms and laundries.

"Good bathroom design is an integral part of a David Reid home," he says. "We like Villaboard because it provides an excellent platform for all the finishing work we want to do in our bathrooms. The bathrooms in our homes often feature a lot of tiling and Villaboard is the perfect backing surface for that, allowing us to create a really quality finish."

For more examples of Villaboard Lining in New Zealand homes, read What Lies Beneath.

Or click here to learn more about the features and applications of Villaboard® Lining.

If you're interested in information on installing Villaboard Lining, please click here.

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