Why Board and Batten Is the Ideal Cladding for a ‘Cali Cool’ Home Extension

This article was crafted by Three Birds Renovations, a powerhouse team dedicated to transforming homes with bold and inspiring designs. Their expertise in leveraging James Hardie brand products and solutions has helped homeowners achieve stunning, finishes that stand the test of time.

When we first laid eyes on House 17, it had all the telltale signs of a classic Californian Bungalow - strong bones, charming details, and undeniable character. But charm alone doesn’t always cut it. Our vision for this renovation was clear: a light-filled extension to increase the living space, with an effortless indoor-outdoor connection and a fresh, modern aesthetic we call ‘Cali Cool’.

This new extension would become the heart of the home, incorporating open-plan living, a streamlined kitchen, laundry, and dining - all seamlessly flowing out to the new alfresco entertaining space and pool area.

Why We Chose Board and Batten

From the outset, board and batten cladding felt like the natural choice for the new rear exterior of this home. We’d used it before at House 13 to channel a relaxed, resort-style aesthetic, and we knew it would bring a similar texture and architectural interest to House 17.

It’s a finish that’s clean and linear without feeling cold or stark - adding warmth and depth to the exterior. Plus, its versatile look means it can effortlessly adapt to a wide range of design styles, from coastal to contemporary - perfect when your ‘Cali Cool’ vision combines four design styles.

The materials behind the look

To achieve the board and batten effect, we combined Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding as the ‘board’ with Hardie™ Axent™ Trim (89mm wide) as the ‘batten’, spaced at 450mm intervals. This spacing gave us the impact we wanted - strong lines without overpowering the design.

Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding has a matte, sand-like finish that feels soft to the touch and offers a refined, contemporary look. It’s a tactile surface that plays beautifully with natural light, adding subtle shadow lines that shift throughout the day.

The Hardie™ Axent™ Trim provided crisp definition and clean detailing - exactly what we needed to pull the look together.

Getting the details right

While board and batten might seem simple to achieve, getting the details right is everything. We used Hardie™ 9mm Aluminium Internal Corners 3000mm and Hardie™ 9mm Aluminium External Square Corners 3000mm, painted to match the cladding, for a clean, cohesive finish.

We also used hidden fixings throughout to maintain the clean, minimalist lines of the exterior. No visual clutter - just a sharp, architectural silhouette.

Bridging old and new

One of the key design challenges with any extension is achieving cohesion between the existing structure and the new addition. For House 17, that meant maintaining the original bungalow’s charm at the front while introducing a modern rear extension that didn’t feel disconnected.

We kept the bungalow’s iconic shape but updated the material palette – covering the original brick in stone cladding to bring interest and texture in line with the overall vision, in the same neutral colour palette as the new extension.

Why Hardie™ Fibre Cement Is the Smart Choice

When it comes to cladding, durability matters – and Hardie™ fibre cement is our go-to for a reason. Compared to traditional timber, it offers a suite of benefits we love:

• Resistant to warping, shrinking and swelling
• Resistant to rot and damage from termites and moisture
• Fire-resistant and deemed non-combustible
• Low maintenance with long-term performance

It’s a long-lasting choice that delivers the architectural look we want and is low maintenance. And because Hardie™ cladding products are pre-primed or pre-sealed and ready to paint, it helps streamlines the process, and your painter will love you!

Is Board and Batten Right for Your Home?

If you’re after an exterior that feels calm yet considered, modern yet warm, and textured without fuss, board and batten should be high on your radar. And when it comes to materials, Hardie™ exterior solutions offers the perfect balance of form and function.

At House 17, Hardie™ exterior solutions helped us transform a tired bungalow into a contemporary family home with soul, style and staying power.