Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Exterior siding, hardiplank

[Sherri Zann Rosenthal (76671.1561]

Our architects are enthusiastic about "hardiplank," a concrete and celloulose
material that looks a lot like wood. Eno Commons is looking for exterior
materials that are less expensive than solid wood, fairly "green," and will hold
up over the years. I'm skeptical of all new, composite materials. Eric Hart and
I have exchanged some private e-mail, in which he stated that all concrete based
materials are inherently environmentally very destructive.

I would love to hear other people's opinions of hardiplank. Any people from
Australia, where it has supposedly been used for a long time, have opinions on
it? Durable? Environmentally correct or rude? And any suggestions out there for
other materials we should investigate? (Just FYI, I don't think our site and
group make us candidates for straw-bale.)

Thanks for any help. And I bow before Fred, who hath returned our list to us,
renewed. Thank you, Fred!

Sherri Zann Rosenthal
Eno Commons, Durham, NC