Nichiha Fiber Cement Panels Selected For Liberty Square,
A Unique Mixed-Use Community In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

When the opportunity occurred to introduce a progressive new look for a mixed-use development, Builder/Developer Bob Kraus knew that he had the perfect product solution to help create an innovative work/live/play community. Liberty Square is the first mixed-use development to be built in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin which will include apartments, single-family housing, restaurants, specialty shopping, churches and other retail and recreational facilities.

Kraus, owner of Kraus Homes and Prairie Home Products, had been waiting for the right project to use Nichiha panels. He wanted to create the look and feel of an upscale community with a product that wouldn’t demolish the budget, wouldn’t increase labor costs or better yet help to decrease labor costs, plus be suitable for both residential and commercial building codes. What Mr. Kraus found with Nichiha fiber cement panels was that they fit his list of requirements perfectly. Knowing that Nichiha panels could be installed to metal, concrete and wood sealed the deal for Kraus.

“This area of Wisconsin is progressive and open to new ideas and solutions,” said Kraus. “A mixed-use development like Liberty Square is a perfect solution to meet the wants and needs of residents of Sun Prairie, and Nichiha fiber cement siding panels are an ideal solution that blends beauty and easy installation together to provide an affordable, upscale look to anchor this development.”

When Kraus began working on Liberty Square, he knew he wanted to surround the buildings in Nichiha panels. His brother, Herman, had seen Nichiha products at the International Builders Show, and was impressed with the quality and beauty of the panels. “The hardest choice about the selection was deciding which profiles and colors to use” said Kraus.

“I ended up selecting Nichiha SandStone™, Vintage Brick and their trim product for the project because it created a warm neighborhood feeling, while instilling a sense of sophistication and elegance to the community.” Nichiha fiber cement panels are offered in eight stone textures, three brick and 2 lap siding collections and are available in over twenty colors and finishes.

“Nichiha fiber cement products are simple to install, and there are no special tools or special subs needed to install the product, which means you can achieve the look and feel of expensive natural materials without the high cost,” states Darrin Haugan, Marketing Director for Nichiha. During the construction phase of the project, Kraus said that several contractors stopped by the site to inquire about the fiber cement wall system, and were impressed with the high quality and ease of installation. Kraus worked with local distributor Parksite-Plunkett Webster to get the Nichiha products he required to complete the project. Kraus added the products arrived on time and that customer service was friendly and knowledgeable.

The Liberty Square project will use Nichiha SandStone™ and Vintage Brick to complete the all inclusive work/live/play community, which includes multi and single-family homes, churches, restaurants and specialty shops.