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Thirteen units in the Oceola Neighborhood in Nashville are protected with Nichiha’s VintageWood and IndustrialBlock fiber cement cladding.
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Product Deep Dive: Nichiha VintageWood

There’s no doubt about it, people love wood exteriors. And it’s easy to see why. Wood cladding brings warmth, texture and a sense of tradition that other materials can’t match. But real wood cladding has its downsides — leading more commercial and residential decision makers to seek alternative products. 

Let us introduce you to one of our most popular products: VintageWood.

Introducing VintageWood

VintageWood is an incredible alternative to natural wood siding. Constructed from a winning combination of cement, fly ash, silica, recycled materials and wood fibers, VintageWood looks like the real thing but performs like cement.

When you compare our VintageWood to natural wood cladding, you’ll find the same texture, warmth and aesthetic. The greatest differentiator is in VintageWood’s distinct durability. Resistant to warping, fading, rotting, pests and fire, VintageWood fiber cement cladding can’t be beat.

Armed with a built-in rainscreen, moisture can move freely away from the building envelope, significantly reducing your likelihood of water damage. Natural wood cladding is susceptible to woodpeckers, carpenter bees, termites and rot, resulting in unnecessary stress and maintenance. Building owners are enjoying the classic look of wood without the hassle by choosing VintageWood.

A home is protected with Nichiha Vintagewood in cedar. There is a sunny deck area with two red chairs and a black table with a plant.

The VintageWood series is not only available in multiple colors (Bark, Cedar, Redwood, Ash and Spruce), but also in two sizes. VintageWood 3030 comes in 119-5/16” length panels (roughly 10 feet) while the VintageWood 1818 comes in 71-9/16” length panels (roughly 6 feet). With multiple sizing options, VintageWood can help you achieve your project requirements no matter your needs.

The 3030 can be used horizontally or vertically while the shorter size 1818 panels allow architects and designers to stagger panels horizontally to create organic architectural looks. If your design includes glass, metal, block panels or a combination of materials, VintageWood pairs phenomenally. If you choose the 1818 panels, you eliminate the need for sealants and flange backer every 10 feet, speeding up your installation time and reducing wall costs. 

The Grove apartment complex is protected with Nichiha’s VintageWood in wood.

But the main difference between the sizes is in the aesthetic. As stated above, the 1818s let you go up about 30 feet without a sealant or metal joint because the vertical edges are shiplapped. The vertical edges of 3030s are square cut, limiting them to a stacked layout only with continuous, more obvious vertical joints. Otherwise, all fire, wind, rainscreen and durability qualities are the same.

A Wawa store, with a sign in red with a white bird flying above it, is protected with Nichiha’s Vintagewood cladding.

Why Choose Fiber Cement Cladding?

Peak Comfort

The built-in rainscreen in VintageWood fiber cement cladding not only helps protect your building from moisture build-up and water damage but can also drastically improve ventilation and indoor air quality. Occupant safety has become the top priority for architects and builders and Nichiha’s rainscreen can help keep your project safe and comfortable. 

Low Maintenance

Design and aesthetics are critical, but so is the maintenance that comes along with that stylistic choice. Fiber cement cladding is trending heavily in commercial and residential design because it is incredibly easy to take care of. Yes, the exterior needs to be inspected annually and after any severe storms, but, otherwise, all it needs is a light wash to keep it in peak condition. No painting, staining or regular replacement is needed.

The Grove apartment complex is protected with Nichiha’s VintageWood in Cedar.

Get Up Close And Personal

Want to see a color up close or feel the texture in person? Order as many complimentary finishes as you need to find the perfect option for your project.

Durability No Matter the Zip Code

In a region with annual freeze-thaw cycles? Vinyl siding will crack, wood and metal siding will buckle, but fiber cement cladding will remain strong. 

In a hot and humid climate? Wood will more than likely rot, develop fungi, be taken over by termites or fade due to sun exposure. Metal will rust with salt spray if you’re near the ocean. Fiber cement cladding is resistant to humidity and changes in temperature. It is one of the most durable options on the market, with the ability to withstand wind storms, hurricanes and even wildfires.

Our Architectural Wall Panels, including VintageWood, are made with cement and wood fiber reinforcement, giving it both compressive and flexural strength. We’re so confident in our durability, we offer a limited lifetime warranty.

Corning Credit Union is protected with Nichiha’s Vintagewood in blue, tan, and wooden planks. The sky behind the building is blue and there are green trees below it.

Explore the Possibilities With VintageWood

Contractors, architects and industry professionals have found great success with Nichiha’s VintageWood product line. Take a peek below at some of our favorite commercial projects.

Oceola Neighborhood

Architect Zach Provanchee from Zinc Architects and General Contractor Thomas Brett utilized our VintageWood and IndustrialBlock product lines to protect a 13-unit build in the Oceola neighborhood in Nashville, TN. 

“We only considered systems that were going to stand up, where we’d be able to return to the project in 5 or 6 years, and it would look the same as it did at installation,” said Brett. To find a product that would stand up over time and look good long after installation, the team chose us at Nichiha.

An installer applies Nichiha Vintagewood in Cedar to the corner of a building. Another team member stands next to them.

Because they chose Nichiha products for the entire project the installation was simplified and the project was streamlined for the builders. With the built-in rainscreen, they eliminated the need for additional layers on the exterior and saved additional time on installation. They were able to deliver a highly durable exterior while simultaneously providing a bold, modern look.

The look, warranty and performance helped convince the property’s developer that the upfront cost would reap benefits for years to come. And the high-performing fiber cement cladding would continue to be a draw as homeowners move in. They’ll enjoy a unique look without having to spend time painting, maintaining or repairing the exterior — giving them more time to spend enjoying their home and family.

Thirteen units in the Oceola Neighborhood in Nashville are protected with Nichiha’s VintageWood and IndustrialBlock fiber cement cladding.

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

HKS, Inc. Architects, Mortenson Construction and KHS&S Contractors worked together using Nichiha VintageWood in Cedar to create the gorgeous, luxury Gaylord Resort in Colorado.

With a fast-tracked deadline, high customer expectations, a cold climate and a desire to create a mesmerizing space that exudes quality and comfort, Nichiha was an easy choice. 

The team worked directly with Nichiha’s specialists using our Technical Design Review offering, a complimentary review with our team of engineers and architects that helps ensure system and building code compliance while still preserving design intent. This step in the process helped reduce the number of design hours, optimized the panel layout, reduced waste and completely eliminated change orders.

“The pre-engineering of Nichiha panels satisfied all of my requirements, due to the building height and elevation needs,” Cliff Horsak from HKS explained. Nichiha panels are tested to the highest building standards for durability, so code compliance for snow and wind loads was met. The plethora of our color options helped the Gaylord team save money on budget restraints on custom coloring, and the resort’s design will be maintained for years to come.

Gaylord’s Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado is protected by Nichiha’s VintageWood fiber cement cladding.

Get Started With Nichiha Today

Ready to get started with VintageWood fiber cement cladding? Check out our product offering or contact a rep to find out more about the possibilities fiber cement cladding can offer you and your project team. 

Want to know how our product lines will reflect on your project’s budget? Check out our Cost Estimator and Materials Calculator to find out more.

Categories: Design
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