Linea classic in the countryside
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When Allan and Wendy Hedge began thinking about the sort of home they wanted to build on their 12 hectare avocado orchard at Te Puna, near Tauranga, they knew that they wanted an older-style home with real character. The weatherboard look was certainly where their hearts were, but the maintenance issues associated with timber weatherboards made them stop and think twice. “We dallied with the idea of a plastered finish, but it just didn't appeal,” says Wendy. So when Allan and Wendy saw James Hardie Linea® Weatherboard featured on TV Showhomes, the timing was perfect. “Linea came along at exactly the right time for us,” says Allan. “It was the product we'd been waiting for. I went to the TV Showhomes website, read more about Linea, and was convinced it was the way to go. My experience in the flooring business has made me acutely aware of the fact that if building materials shift, they're likely to fail. The fact that Linea is such a stable product made it very appealing and the extended guarantee on paint life speaks volumes.” Architect, Mark Tatton, re-drafted the house plans using Linea Weatherboard and created wide sloping eaves lined with HardieGroove™ Lining. Allan and Wendy were sold. “It was exactly what we wanted,” says Wendy. “We really took our time to get the plans right. It pays to put that sort of effort in, after all we're planning to live in it a long time, so it doesn't make sense to rush it.” “We got three builders to quote on the house,” says Allan. “But it wasn't just about getting the lowest price. Ultimately we chose Miles Everton because he could see what we wanted to achieve, he was excited about it, and committed to doing a good job. You have to know that your builder is going to work with you to make decisions as you go. It's not about handing the plans over and walking away.” In fact, the Hedges, did just the opposite, choosing to live on-site in a converted barn while the house was being built. “It was the right decision for us,” says Alan. “We wanted to be involved and hands-on. It's important if you want to get the details right. I wouldn't say that everything is perfect, but we got close and there weren't any serious cost overruns because of the time we took to plan it.” The Hedges are delighted with the end result and the look of the Linea Weatherboards, which have been painted in Resene Masala, with ‘Appliance White' used on the windows to match the white aluminium joinery. The Coloursteel Roof is Sandstone Grey – a lighter colour than Wendy and Alan originally anticipated, but one that they are very happy with now. “It works well with the darker grey on the Linea,” says Wendy. “It looks very distinctive and we've had great feedback from people who have seen the house taking shape from the road across the valley.” “People are aware of Linea weatherboards now and there's certainly been a lot of interest in the house,” says Allan. “There's no doubt that it's a much-liked product.” Read more articles related to this story: |
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