When reviewing lightweight cladding alternatives for a modern home in Queensland, architects Bligh Voller Nield looked no further than Shadowclad. Fast becoming the fashionable cladding choice, lightweight plywood Shadowclad has so much more to offer than looks alone.

Shadowclad from Carter Holt Harvey is a stylish and versatile cladding solution. Shadowclad doubles as structural bracing, offers good thermal properties, can be used inside or out and requires no special tools to install. It is manufactured from sustainable, plantation-grown radiata pine and is safe, economical and easy to handle.

Shadowclad is 12mm thick and available in 1200mm width and lengths of 2440mm, 2745mm or 3050mm. Each sheet has a ship lap weather groove joint on the long edge making installation and weatherproofing simple.

The award winning Gully house in Yeronga by Bligh Voller Nield also demonstrates how good Shadowclad can look. By utilising Shadowclad textured finish with a black stain and a visually interesting aluminium grid pattern, the bulk of the house is diminished. Shadowclad is available with a rough band sawn surface with either vertical grooves of 150mm centres, or a textured finish. It is supplied preprimed for painting or unprimed for staining and a custom made aluminium flashing system is now also available for fixing.

All Shadowclad products are also treated to H3 level with a clear, non-corrosive LOSP process, which protects the surface against fungal rot and insect infestation, making it perfect for the damp, riverside location of the Gully house. All in all, this lightweight cladding alternative comes in heavy with attributes.