The key to the material is accurately installing your starter track at the base of the house. You then stack each corner piece, and next install the 10' panels on top of one another, until you reach the top. You will have a vertical joint where the panels come together, which is filled with a special limestone colored caulk. Nichiha has many other materials that look like stone, ledger stone, cedar, and even wood. Take a look at their website for more information (www.nichiha.com).
Corner pieces go up first
Next are the 10' panels
This material will not be painted
Our helpers didn't show up so this is the freight driver and Chad (architect) about to hand me the 10' 50lb pack of two panels. The three of us had to unload 32 packs.
Hi, I just stumbled across your blog -- your project looks great! After over a year of planning, I am very close to breaking ground this summer on my own modern home project. I found the Nichiha Architectural Block product last year when considering Hardie panel applications - I love the aesthetics and the installation methodology of the Nichiha; it was on my wishlist until my builder received an astronomical quote. I know labor will vary widely across the country, but do you mind sharing how much you paid per square foot for the Nichiha Empire Block panels, including labor, accessories, etc? The all-in price my builder was quoted was shocking to me -- it was double brick and nearly double stucco with labor -- it was the most expensive option quoted, by a long shot. It was a big disappointment. Any insights you can share would be much appreciated. (my build blog can be found at www.prospecthillmodern.com, only a few renderings posted so far, hoping to break ground in the next 60 days)
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