This vs that: What’s the difference between panel, weatherboard and board?

Designing your dream home or giving your current one a fresh new look is an incredibly exciting journey. You've probably spent hours researching inspiration, imagining the perfect aesthetic. But when it comes to the exterior, the face of your home, choosing the right type of exterior cladding can feel like a big decision.

How do you know which material will truly bring your vision to life, complement your home's style and stand strong against the Australian climate?

Here, we break down what you need to know about James Hardie’s array of exterior and trim product lines: panels, weatherboards and boards.

3 cladding types explained

Each type of Hardie™ cladding is designed with specific aesthetic and functional goals in mind.

Panels

Large format (often 1,200mm wide), quick to install and featuring a sleek, modern aesthetic with minimal visible joins.

Try these products to get the look: Axon™ Cladding, Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding, Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding.

Weatherboards

Classic horizontal profiles creating deep shadow lines for a timeless, traditional aesthetic. Popular for coastal, Hamptons and heritage-inspired homes.

Try these products to get the look: Linea™ Weatherboard.

Boards

Individual pieces installed to create various detailed features, often with vertical or horizontal grooves. Boards offer flexibility for bespoke designs and architectural interest.

Try these products to get the look: Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture, Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding.

What are the key differences at a glance?

Understanding the different types of products in the Hardie™ cladding range helps you align your exterior solution with your desired modern home style.

Size and coverage

Panels offer the largest coverage, followed by weatherboards, then individual boards.

Installation speed

Panels are generally fastest due to their large format, helping reduce labour time and costs. Weatherboards, at 16mm thick, offer efficient installation for classic profiles. Boards require more detailed installation work but can add distinctive architectural value.

Thickness

Weatherboards at 16mm provide the deepest shadow lines and most pronounced visual impact. Boards at 14mm offer versatility with varying widths for customised groove patterns. Panels integrate thickness into their design with embedded textures rather than profile depth, creating subtle yet sophisticated surfaces.

Visual style and modern home applications

Let’s break down some of the key house styles from the Modern Homes Forecast to reveal which exterior solution by James Hardie is most suited to your dream home.

Panels excel in:

• Mid-Century Modern: Sleek, contemporary facades with subtle texture from Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding.

• Modern Classical: Sophisticated, timeless exteriors with refined textures.

• Japandi: Panels are ideal for creating the board and batten look which evokes the quintessential Japandi style.

Weatherboards are perfect for:

• Modern Coastal: Deep shadow lines of Linea™ Weatherboard create a classic, layered and relaxed coastal aesthetic.

• Modern Heritage: Classic weatherboard detailing for homes that honour architectural tradition.

• Barn: Horizontal lines that evoke rustic, countryside charm.

Boards shine in:

• Box Modern: Vertical Stria™ Cladding or Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding for bold, contemporary statements.

• Barn: Feature grooves and textured details that add depth and character.

• Mid-Century Modern: Horizontal or vertical orientations creating architectural interest.

• Modern Farmhouse: Traditional horizontal profiles that complement rural-inspired designs.

Which type of cladding should you choose?

Your choice of cladding depends on your desired style, budget and timeline.

Choose panels for:

• Fast installation: Quicker coverage helps saves on labour.
• Large areas: Ideal for expansive walls with a seamless, modern look.
• Modern minimalist: Perfect for clean lines and contemporary aesthetics.

Choose weatherboards for:

• Horizontal lines: To create breadth and a classic, layered appearance.
• Coastal or Hamptons-style homes: The traditional profile complements these popular Australian aesthetics.

Choose boards for:

• Feature walls: To add texture, depth and visual interest.
• Detailed designs: For unique patterns or architectural accents.
• Contemporary styles: To achieve a modern look with added dimension.

Can you mix different types of cladding?

Absolutely. Exterior solutions by James Hardie are designed to be mixed and matched. Mixing different profiles adds dynamic visual interest and breaks up large expanses, creating wow-factor exterior facades.

Popular cladding combinations to mix and match include Linea™ Weatherboard on the first floor and Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding on the ground floor. This would be a panel to weatherboard combination. Boards are also often used as striking features around entryways.

Which is the most affordable exterior cladding option?

Panels can be more cost-effective for large areas due to faster installation, but overall cost varies.

Are all materials non-combustible?

Yes, all Hardie™ fibre cement products are deemed non-combustible.