Pre-finished panel provides a raw cement look and repels water

CSR Cemintel™’s new BareStone commercial façade is a pre-finished panel utilising 9mm compressed fibre cement and incorporates the ExpressWall fixing system, providing a striking design element and quick, simple installation. The results provide a raw cement-like look.

Off the back of the successful launch of the CeminSeal family of products, Cemintel™ has launched BareStone, providing yet another ground-breaking product that incorporates CeminSeal waterblocking technology.

A first from Cemintel™, BareStone allows additional design freedom, having been developed to meet the trend and demand of the ‘raw’ and ‘earthy’ look, many clients and architects are requesting. It offers a natural finish and provides the assurance a pre-finished panel.

BareStone was recently specified by Architectus Directors Lindsay + Kerry Clare as the major cladding material for The University of Western Sydney (UWS) Student Housing project.

The Clares chose BareStone for its aesthetic qualities as the product has warm tones and slight variation in colour signifying a product in its more natural state.

“BareStone is a very flexible product for designers to work with as it compliments a variety of colour and material palettes due to its neutral and natural qualities,” Director, Kerry Clare said.

Once BareStone is installed as part of the ExpressWall Installation system incorporating top hats, there is no need for additional trades or processes. BareStone is a pre-finished panel and it can be installed and left as supplied, or painted if desired.

Environmental responsibility is a design priority for the Clares, and BareStone enabled them to create cost effective reverse masonry veneer construction where the compressed fibre cement protects the thermal mass walls and makes a substantial difference to indoor room temperatures and comfort levels throughout the year.

“Fibre cement products have excellent environmental credentials with minimal environmental impacts, low embodied energy, superior lifespan and freedom from maintenance,” Kerry Clare said.

Architectus Director, Kerry Clare said BareStone was used on the majority of external walls.

“The internal skin of masonry is over clad with BareStone which shades the masonry in summer and provides an air gap for insulation in winter. It also provides excellent weathering for the wall and is ideally suited to the low embodied energy principles behind our approach.

BareStone has been tested to AS4284 and uses 1.15BMT galvanised top hats and exposed head fasteners S/S or class 3.