Are these gaps expected in two year old Linea cladding?

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peng1nz

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#324023 17-Feb-2026 22:18

I am looking at purchasing a house that was completed two years ago. It is clad in James Hardie Linea weatherboards. I note some gaps have opened up at joins, mainly between the window liners and aluminium joinery. I am wondering if this is expected outcome after two years?

I guess there will have been a bit of movement as the framing dried out but in my opinion the finish is looking pretty rubbish for just two years old. I guess it is only cosmetic as it is all on a cavity system.

Example photos attached (noting the garage jamb is timber not linea)

eracode

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#3462463 18-Feb-2026 04:53

Not a real answer but are you going to get a building inspection done? Would be good to hear what a qualified inspector says.

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eracode

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#3462467 18-Feb-2026 07:02

It looks like the two vertical facing boards each side of the window have not been installed well. Seems they're a bit too long and they won't fit back in flush with the frame of the window joinery. Maybe not movement after finishing - just not finished properly in the first place.

The slightly ropey join between the vertical and horizontal facing boards at the top left corner of the window - and the paint on the joinery by the right-hand facing board - might add to the skill query.

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MikeAqua

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#3462481 18-Feb-2026 08:43

Linea doesn't move on its own. I'm basing that on a house we own that has 22-year old Linea on it, in Marlborough. It looks to me like the timber elements (sill, scriber, door jamb) are moving and that is moving the Linea.

I would get an inspection done. If there are no moisture issues at those locations, seal the gaps with modified silicone adhesive sealant, at the driest time of the year

Mike

johno1234

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#3462485 18-Feb-2026 08:52

The weatherboards are Linea but the architrave might be timber?

sqishy

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#3462553 18-Feb-2026 11:37

My advise anything to do with 'James Hardie' RUN away as far as you can there are several class actions.

peng1nz

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#3462554 18-Feb-2026 11:46

johno1234:

The weatherboards are Linea but the architrave might be timber?

The build plans show the window casings as 'Axent' so I'll assume they followed the plan. As noted earlier the garage door reveal is timber.

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peng1nz

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#3462556 18-Feb-2026 11:51

sqishy:

My advise anything to do with 'James Hardie' RUN away as far as you can there are several class actions.

In general I do agree re JH however these linea boards are already attached to the house that my better half is also now attached to so I am accepting it comes with some early maintenance.

peng1nz

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#3462557 18-Feb-2026 11:53

MikeAqua:

Linea doesn't move on its own. I'm basing that on a house we own that has 22-year old Linea on it, in Marlborough. It looks to me like the timber elements (sill, scriber, door jamb) are moving and that is moving the Linea.

I would get an inspection done. If there are no moisture issues at those locations, seal the gaps with modified silicone adhesive sealant, at the driest time of the year

Thanks. I will do a moisture check (after things have dried out here) and plan for some maintenance.

MikeAqua

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#3462647 18-Feb-2026 14:43

peng1nz:

Thanks. I will do a moisture check (after things have dried out here) and plan for some maintenance.

I suspect you'll have very little maintenance to do, beyond running a few lines of sealant. The linea (if it's been installed correctly) will outlast the timber our house, I used a Hardie product for the door and window facings (I think it's now called axent). That might be an option for you. If I'd had the experience then, that I do now, I would have cut the scribers out of a JB product too.

Mike

mattwnz

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#3462692 18-Feb-2026 16:44

I am not sure the surrounds are fibre cement as the photos may show a bit of cupping near the head flashing, which would be common with timber. Generally surrounds often aren't done, and the head flashing goes straight over the top of the aluminum joinery. Paint on the joinery paint isn't good workmanship unless it is a sign someone has tried to do some touching up.

mattwnz

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#3462693 18-Feb-2026 16:45

peng1nz:

johno1234:

The weatherboards are Linea but the architrave might be timber?

The build plans show the window casings as 'Axent' so I'll assume they followed the plan. As noted earlier the garage door reveal is timber.

Don't ever assume they followed the plans.

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johno1234

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#3462750 18-Feb-2026 18:02

peng1nz:

sqishy:

My advise anything to do with 'James Hardie' RUN away as far as you can there are several class actions.

In general I do agree re JH however these linea boards are already attached to the house that my better half is also now attached to so I am accepting it comes with some early maintenance.

Builders and architects I've talked to think Linea is a good product. Hardie's big problems were back in the asbestos days.

Handle9

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#3462768 18-Feb-2026 18:35

MikeAqua:

Linea doesn't move on its own. I'm basing that on a house we own that has 22-year old Linea on it, in Marlborough. It looks to me like the timber elements (sill, scriber, door jamb) are moving and that is moving the Linea.

I would get an inspection done. If there are no moisture issues at those locations, seal the gaps with modified silicone adhesive sealant, at the driest time of the year

I’d tend to agree. I’d also have a wider look around the section for trees and the like. We had a house previously that moved massively due to the large tree next to it.

Bung

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#3462769 18-Feb-2026 18:39

AFAIK the problem products came after the asbestos years when cellulose fibres replaced the asbestos. Weatherside was famous for swelling up and turning to mush. The newer products must be primed and painted properly. The older sheets were often left unpainted.

The house next was built in 2017 with Linea. The owner was here today washing the tonnes of sand off it that came with the recent bad weather. I went and checked the fit of all the trim. No gaps anywhere, all the scribers are tight. Stainless steel nails don't hold well unless they are annular groove type. The problem gaps may be wrong nails that aren't holding.