Stunning! Give plain walls an instant touch of sophistication: a winning choice for building or renovating in New Zealand

 

When designing walls, the safest and least interesting option may be a plain expanse of white. For exterior and interior walls alike, an unvarying design may be a safe choice, but it lacks individuality, visual appeal and elegance. Some house designs have even been sent back for revision by city councils for being insufficiently attractive, simply because their exterior walls lacked variation.

 

In fact, choosing the right wall panels can deliver stunning results. James Hardie proudly introduces the Axon™ Panel range! With the launch of new products, the Axon™ Panel range has undergone a major transformation: it now comprises two categories, Axon™ Panel Textured and Axon™ Panel Grooved, with five configurations to choose from.

 

 

Today, we begin by introducing

 

Axon™ Panel Textured

Axon™ Panel Textured

 

The Axon™ Panel Textured category includes

the following two configurations:

 

 

Both configurations belong to the Axon™ Panel Textured category, but differ in appearance and texture to help you create different visual effects. A range of sizes is also available.

 

 

This new product from James Hardie features an embedded brushed texture on the panel surface, reminiscent of lightly brushed concrete, adding visual refinement and tactile interest to your home.

 

Inspired by brushed concrete techniques, the new texture takes on different appearances as the light and viewing distance change.

 

It is ideal for creating contemporary exterior walls, appearing smooth from a distance yet revealing a surprisingly tactile surface up close. Used alone or alongside other James Hardie cladding, it creates a truly striking effect.

 

 

In practice, Linea™ weatherboards pair beautifully with Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete texture, as shown below. The contrast between timber elements and concrete texture breaks up monotony while adding warmth. Timber brings natural colour and warmth, while the concrete texture provides a cool urban feel. This combination gives the building a refined texture and demonstrates attention to detail.

 

The familiar EasyLap™ Panel has now been renamed Axon™ Panel Smooth. A different name, the same panel! This product features vertically shiplapped panels with a smooth, clean surface. It can be finished with a site-applied, roller-textured acrylic paint to achieve a rendered look, or given a smooth painted finish.

 

 

Let’s look at it in use in the image below. This home’s exterior combines Axon™ Panel Smooth with a rendered finish and Axon™ Panel 133 mm Grooved Woodgrain. The dark panels lend the home a sense of solidity and elegance, while the Axon™ Panel Smooth below contrasts with the upper section, creating subtle visual layers while maintaining a flowing, cohesive design. Contrasts in light, shade and texture are commonly used in contemporary architecture to highlight a building’s lines and form, giving it strong visual impact and a modern feel.

 

 

 

 

The example below shows how Axon™ Smooth panels can be skilfully combined with Hardie™ Axent™ Trim. The exterior’s vertical lines visually extend its height and reinforce the geometry of the building’s structure. The white colour makes the entire space feel brighter and more spacious while reflecting light to enhance the welcoming atmosphere of the outdoor living area. The panels’ smooth surface creates an appealing contrast with the masonry texture of the adjacent fireplace surround. This versatility opens up more possibilities for your design.

 

 

Axon™ Panel makes it easy to give your home a stunning appearance. Easy to install, durable and versatile, Axon™ Panel is a vertically shiplapped panel offering five finish options. Its lines and textures complement both classic and contemporary architecture, creating striking façades and adding interest to outdoor spaces.

 

Made from Hardie™ fibre cement, Axon™ Panel is durable, non-combustible and can be painted in a range of colours, including darker, more contemporary shades. Axon™ Panel is suitable for residential and commercial projects seeking a modern design, including cladding for all exterior walls of new homes, renovations and extensions.

 

Designed for common wall dimensions, Axon™ Panel is an attractive, moisture-resistant alternative to plasterboard for interior spaces. It is well suited to laundries, semi-wet bathroom areas and high-traffic spaces.

 

 

 

Has today’s introduction given you fresh inspiration? Would you like to learn about Axon™ Panel Grooved? Scan the QR code to follow the official James Hardie New Zealand WeChat account, where you can learn more in the next article this month.