In the Pacific Northwest, a building’s exterior must be a fortress against the elements, but it shouldn’t look like one. This is the central tenet of modern West Coast architecture: achieving a balance between clean, contemporary lines and the rugged, organic textures of the landscape.
Architects are increasingly specifying high-performance alternatives for the most weather-exposed sections of the building, utilizing James Hardie® fiber cement shingles finished with Fisher’s proprietary two-tone coating process.
Weathered Wood + Empire Grey Shinges
Embracing the Rustic Nature of Shingles
There is an inherent warmth in the rustic nature of shingles. The staggered edges and deep-grain textures provide a “hand-crafted” feel that flat siding simply can’t replicate. However, in our climate, real cedar shakes often fall victim to moisture damage and uneven silvering long before their time.
By capturing this rugged, tectonic texture in a high-performance composite, architects can create a bold, modern silhouette that remains grounded in the natural landscape. Whether used as a primary cladding or a targeted accent in gables and dormers, these shingles provide a tactile quality that softens the sharp angles of contemporary design.
The Substrate: Why James Hardie® Shingles?
High-performance finishes are only as reliable as the material beneath them.
We utilize HardieShingle® Siding as our primary substrate because they are engineered specifically for the moisture-heavy, freeze-thaw cycles of the coast. This material provides the fire resistance and structural longevity that modern developments demand, but the true realism is found in the final finish.
The Coating: Realism Through Fisher's Two-Tone Process
While standard factory-painted shingles can often appear flat in nature, the Fisher coating process is designed to pull out the hidden realism of the fiber cement texture.
By applying a variegated, two-tone finish, we mimic the way natural light interacts with forest timber. A deeper base pigment settles into the “rough-sawn” grooves of the shingle, while a lighter, curated highlight hits the surface peaks. This creates:
- Visual Movement: Shadow lines that change as the sun moves across the facade.
- Rustic Integrity: A finish that mimics the natural look of wood without the maintenance.
- Sharp Definition: Enhanced visual clarity for gables, dormers, and rooflines, ensuring these features provide depth and contrast.
Shou Sugi Ban Shinges
Versatile Application for Every Design Intent
HardieShingle® Siding is designed for total flexibility across the building envelope. Whether the architectural plan calls for full wall coverage to create a cohesive, textured look, or is used for accent walls to add contrast, the result remains consistent—Fisher’s wood-look coating adds the realistic textural depth across the board.
These shingles are an ideal solution for breaking up large elevations or adding a high-end organic touch to specific building sections, providing a warm counterpoint to modern surfaces like glass, steel, or stone.
Empire Grey Shingles
TrueGrain Series™ by utilizes an advanced pre-finishing system on James Hardie Fiber Cement to achieve a two-tone wood look that will add depth and contrast to your project with the durability of fiber cement siding.
Shingle Panel Specifications
- Texture: Select Cedarmill®
- 7 inch exposure | Straight Edge
- Dims: 48" W | 15-1/4" H | 1/4" Thick
- Weight: 2.12 lbs. per square foot
West Coast Inspired Colour Palette
*Suggested caulking colour, custom colours & colour matches available.
Our palette is specifically curated to harmonize with the West Coast landscape—offering regional tones from deep granite charcoals to the organic warmth of Western Red Cedar. By integrating these tones with our two-tone finishing process, we ensure every shingle reflects the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest while providing the uncompromising protection of fiber cement.
- Single Family: Enhance curb appeal and architectural interest without the "weekend warrior" staining and maintenance chores.
- Multi-Family: Achieve a luxury, warm aesthetic that stands up to high-traffic environmental wear and strict insurance requirements.
- Commercial: Meet rigorous building codes for non-combustibility while maintaining an inviting, high-end brand image for clients and customers.
