Our Block houses are FINALLY finished!
- 11 Nov 2022

And what a glorious vision they are — and all SO different. Here’s how each couple achieved their fabulous exterior looks, thanks to exterior cladding products by James Hardie. Swoon!
It’s been a long, hard slog. But finally our Gisborne Block homes are complete. And don’t they look incredible?
When it came to the exteriors of each of their homes, our contestants turned to Block sponsor James Hardie for design inspiration, taking full advantage of their extensive range of fibre cement cladding.
Each house used Hardie™ Exterior products by James Hardie in totally different ways, but I think that we can all agree — the results speak for themselves.
Here are the details of what each house used:
House 1: Tom and Sarah Jane
When it came to outdoor reveals, there was none more spectacular than Landscape and Facade week winners, Tom and Sarah- Jane, who used Linea™ Weatherboards by James Hardie to create the stunning cottage look used.
Their use of a soft grey palette against the Shale Grey cladding was simply breathtaking — and the judges agreed.
“Look at the juxtaposition between the old and the new!” Neale said. “I know it’s impressive across all five houses, but here it is particularly prevalent, and that contrast between the two is astonishing.”
Darren agreed, adding that it was probably his favourite colour combination of all the houses. Axon™ Cladding was selected to connect and create a breezeway painted in Shale grey that links the cottage with the new modern pavilion.
These colours also worked well with their landscaping, the hues picked up in their DreamCourt basketball court, and the colours they chose for their fencing. Even their pony seemed to match!
Products used:
- Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards painted in Colorbond Shale Grey
- Axon™ Cladding painted in Colorbond Shale Grey
- Hardie™ Groove Lining painted in Dulux®Baltic
Tom and Sarah-Jane have consistently taken home the win this season and the house exterior was no exception!
Darren said, Tom and Sarah-Jane had created probably his favourite colour combination of all the houses: Axon™Cladding was selected to connect and create a breezeway painted in Shale grey that links the cottage with the new modern pavilion.
Their use of a soft grey palette against the Shale Grey cladding was simply breathtaking — and the judges agreed.
House 2: Rachel and Ryan
With a stunning courtyard garden out front and a huge container pool and their game-changing vineyard in the rear, Rachel and Ryan came out swinging. But it was the way their home sat within these surroundings that really had the judges impressed.
Rachel and Ryan used Linea™ Weatherboards on their cottage, and a combination of Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and Axon™ Cladding for a mixed cladding look on their modern extension.
That created the awesome striped look, which all three judges appreciated, particularly the juxtaposition of Woodland Grey and Dune used to create this look.
“The choice of cladding, the choice of textures and colours all work beautifully with the landscape,” Neale said, pointing out that it matched with the use of their stone perfectly.
Products used:
- Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards, All white Lexicon Qtr, White
- Gable: Dune
- Extension: Mixed Cladding Look: Hardie™Fine Texture Cladding with it’s sand-like texture teamed with Axon™Cladding for it’s vertical VJ panelling.
- Garage doors: Dulux Monument and Woodlands Grey
Rachel and Ryan in House 2 may have been late starters this season but they took no time catching up with the other contestants. Coming in equal third in Exteriors week, it was close!
“The choice of cladding, the choice of textures and colours all work beautifully with the landscape,” Neale said, pointing out that it matched with the use of their stone perfectly.
Axon™Cladding featured in House 2 for its vertical VJ panelling.
Rachel and Ryan used Linea™ Weatherboards on their original cottage.
Rachel was "over the moon" with how the exterior of their house turned out, pre-primed and paint friendly, the Hardie™ Cladding was easy and quick to paint.
House 3: Ankur and Sharon
They had the biggest house on The Block — and the toughest journey to the finish line. But Ankur and Sharon got there in the end.
And when their home is finally completed, it will cut one heck of an impressive silhouette in the landscape —the couple has created a look for their shed that is calming, uncluttered and when teamed with Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding complemented the other corrugated materials used. Linea™ Weatherboards were painted in Accent White Wool for their country cottage façade.
Their gorgeous cantilevered pavilion will also look incredible against the old timber cottage, providing a beautiful juxtaposition between old and new.
“Travelling up to this house, when you see it from outside, it’s pretty majestic,” Neale said.
And we agree.
Products used:
- Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards, accent White Wool.
- Handrails and posts: LEXICON QTR WHITE
- Garage: Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding, Basalt Colorbond
They had the biggest house on The Block — and the toughest journey to the finish line. But Ankur and Sharon got there in the end.
Sharon and Ankur's house cuts one heck of an impressive silhouette in the landscape —the couple have created a look for their shed that is calming, uncluttered and when teamed with Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding complemented the other corrugated materials used.
Linea™ Weatherboards were painted in Accent White Wool for their country cottage façade.
Sharon and Ankur's completed shed.
House 4: Dylan and Jenny
Dylan and Jenny’s house certainly cuts a striking figure in the landscape — and the judges were blown away. The team used a combination of Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and Axent™ Trim to achieve the Board and Batten look they were after.
“Everything about this home is just palatial,” Neale said, making special note of their enormous wrap-around deck.
The judges loved the way the soaring columns worked against the Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding on the pavilion facade, Neale pointing out that they “take your eye right up” making the space feel huge. Shaynna agreed, saying she absolutely loved the white-on-white used at the front of the house, a “charming” addition.
All three loved the fact the couple opted for the darker Hammer Grey on the rear extension, making the house look very “contemporary,” all agreeing that the Board and Batten look worked perfectly here. And as for their tiny house? An absolute game changer. Ticks all round!
Products used:
- Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards, Dulux Lexicon QTR
- Extension and tiny house: Board and Batten Look: Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and Axent™ Trim. Dulux, Colour: Hammer Grey
- Bathroom: Axon™ Cladding, Accent Colour: Natural White
Dylan and Jenny our Tradie team have consistently delivered a high standard of work this season. Read about Jenny's thoughts on being a Lady Tradie here.
Shaynna absolutely loved the white-on-white used at the front of the house, a “charming” addition.
The judges loved the way the soaring columns worked against the Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding on the pavilion facade, Neale pointing out that they “take your eye right up” making the space feel huge.
Up Close: Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding on the pavilion facade at Jenny and Dylan's Block House.
House 5: Omar and Oz
They only narrowly missed out on a win, and it’s little wonder – everything about Omar and Oz’ landscaping and house facade was spot on.
Neale particularly loved the transition between the old and the new parts of the home, and the way the modern extension combined with the re-cladded cottage in Linea™ Weatherboards by James Hardie.
“I just love it,” he said effusively. “I turn this way and I see this beautiful, traditional country-style verandah with the weatherboards, and then you turn this way, and you see the complete opposite. And the impact that makes is just incredible.”
All three judges loved the soft grey and white colour scheme used, saying they thought it was “spot on” when paired against the beautiful landscaping.
“They really have created a lifestyle resort,” Neale said.
And we agree — when do we get an invite round for a game of tennis, boys?
Products used:
- Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards, Dulux, Lexicon Qtr White
- Garage doors Basalt Colorbond
- Bathrooms, Hallway, Bedroom: Axon™ Cladding
They only narrowly missed out on a win, and it’s little wonder – everything about Omar and Oz’ landscaping and house facade was spot on.
Neale particularly loved the transition between the old and the new parts of the home, and the way the modern extension combined with the re-cladded cottage in Linea™ Weatherboards by James Hardie.
The original cottage features Linea™ Weatherboards, Dulux, Lexicon Qtr White. And all threejudges loved it!
“I just love it,” Neil Whitaker said effusively. “I turn this way and I see this beautiful, traditional country-style verandah with the weatherboards, and then you turn this way, and you see the complete opposite. And the impact that makes is just incredible.”
Scotty Cam’s Cottage
Let’s face it, Scotty’s cottage was always going to look sensational. As the only original dwelling on the site — all the others were shipped in from interstate — when it came to the exterior cladding, they knew they needed to go all out.
To create a cohesive look between his Australian homestead and his modern extension, Scotty Cam wrapped both his cottage and the extension in Linea™ Weatherboards. by James Hardie.
We particularly love the garage doors, painted Woodlands grey, to offset the white of the original home.
The results speak for themselves!
Products used:
- Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards, Dulux: Solar Qtr Strength
- Extension: Linea™ Weatherboards, Dulux Solar Half Strength
- Garage doors: Woodlands Grey
In a Block First Scott Cam renovated his own place this season alongside the contestants.
To create a cohesive look between his Australian homestead and his modern extension, Scotty Cam wrapped both his cottage and the extension in Linea™ Weatherboards. by James Hardie
Cottage: Linea™ Weatherboards, Dulux: Solar Qtr Strength
Let’s face it, Scotty’s cottage was always going to look sensational. As the only original dwelling on the site — all the others were shipped in from interstate — when it came to the exterior cladding, they knew they needed to go all out.
The back of Scott Cam's house and the new build, Scott went with Linea™ Weatherboards, to keep continuity across the original homestead and this new part of the build.
Has this season of The Block got you inspired?
Take a look through the James Hardie Block Look Book for all of the details of what the Blockheads used in their treechange.