Weatherboard is a popular type of exterior cladding that is used on homes throughout Australia.
Traditionally made from timber, weatherboards first appeared in the 1850s when steam-driven timber mills made production a lot faster and cheaper. Timber is notoriously high-maintenance, so nowadays weatherboards are available in durable materials such as aluminium, fibre-cement, metal, acrylic and vinyl. This type of cladding can be spotted on worker's cottages, Queenslanders, California bungalows and new builds, too.
The charm of weatherboard homes is undeniable; they are visually interesting, adding a rhythmic texture that settles a building on its site.
To understand the appeal of this Aussie architectural archetype, take a look at 17 of our favourites from the archives.