New Zealand’s native bush is naturally dark in colour - think the mossy black of a kanuka branch - and many architects and homeowners choose cladding to merge with our beautiful landscapes. Finding the right shade of ‘black’ for your home involves some thought and investigation into your site and its surrounds. Then it is a matter of mixing and matching with complementary colours and materials, and thinking about the amount of reflectance you would like to see in the finished product.
Many houses that appear black are in fact a dark grey shade, such as Ironsand or Slate, both of which are popular for residential and commercial roofing, as well as being great choices for cladding. Combine the charcoal tones of Ironsand with a warm green or a deep red for a home that echoes the colours of the coast. Timeless and robust, Slate is often used to counter a more adventurous colour and material palette, providing a dark, neutral backdrop for bold colours and rich metals.