By Jim Carlson, Regional Sales Manager – Metro NY, Tando Composites
When veteran custom home builder Greg Hansen began planning a new 8,000-square-foot waterfront residence, he set out to create a home that blended timeless coastal architecture with modern performance and easy living. To bring that vision to life, Hansen selected Tando Composites’ Beach House Shake® for the home’s exterior.
Located on a two-acre property in Northport, N.Y., the residence offers sweeping views of Northport Harbor and Long Island Sound. Inspired by classic shingle-style colonial architecture, the home features custom-finished living spaces, six ensuite bedrooms, and expansive indoor-outdoor entertaining areas that embrace the property’s waterfront setting.
Unlike many custom homes where decisions are shared among multiple stakeholders, Hansen personally oversaw every aspect of the project. As owner and operator of Hansen Construction, he served as the developer, builder, and designer.
“I wanted something that was on par with the beauty of natural wood, but far easier to maintain,” said Hansen. “I love the look of traditional cedar shingles, but I didn’t want all the upkeep that comes with it. Beach House Shake gave me the authentic appearance I wanted while offering the durability and long-term performance I was looking for.”
That decision was especially important given the home’s location. While waterfront properties offer unmatched views, they also expose exterior building materials to challenging conditions. For this home, these include moisture, salt air, wind, and seasonal temperature changes. Hansen knew the home’s exterior needed to withstand those conditions while maintaining the classic aesthetic buyers expect in that area.
Construction of the residence followed the demolition of an existing home on the property. Hansen worked alongside longtime architect Louise Agnes of Northport, N.Y., to create a design that embraces the character of Long Island’s historic coast while incorporating modern building materials and construction techniques. Hansen has collaborated with Agnes for more than two decades and credits her with helping bring the project to life.
For Hansen, selecting the right exterior cladding was one of the most important decisions of the project. With more than 40 years of experience building custom homes, he understood that buyers in the luxury market often expect traditional materials. Although he appreciated the performance benefits of Beach House Shake, he initially had reservations about specifying a composite shingle for a project of this level.
“Traditionally, a home of this magnitude would have natural wood shingles with a rich finish,” said Hansen. “However, having the beauty of natural wood in a composite that would never discolor or require continuous staining or replacement made total sense. Because of the size of this house, wood shingles would create a maintenance nightmare, but with composite technology, you can achieve authenticity and beauty with no worries and an excellent warranty.”
He noted Beach House Shake delivers the authentic charm and beauty of natural individual cedar shingles. It features realistic wood grain textures, varied saw cuts, and deep shadow lines that replicate the appearance of hand-laid cedar. Hansen chose Beach House Shake’s Classic Collection, which features architecturally precise 5” re-squared and rebutted shingles that capture the character of traditional cedar.
The home features Beach House Shake in its Sandcastle color. Inspired by the look of freshly installed eastern white cedar, it perfectly complements the property’s white trim and waterfront setting. He said the product continues to perform exactly as he had hoped.
“It’s been up for about a year now, and Beach House Shake looks like the day we installed it,” said Hansen.
Unlike natural cedar shingles, which can discolor, cup, and split when exposed to the elements, Beach House Shake is engineered to withstand demanding environmental conditions. Each panel features a proprietary KYNAR® coating, providing lasting beauty and color protection while helping the product maintain its authentic appearance for years.
Beyond aesthetics and long-term performance, installation efficiency was another advantage.
“My siding crew said it was easier to cut, easier to work with, and much faster to install than individual cedar shingles,” said Hansen.
According to Hansen, the product felt familiar to experienced siding installers while offering a more efficient installation process. Unlike traditional cedar shingles, which are installed individually, Beach House Shake is manufactured for efficient installation. His crew installed approximately 50 squares of Beach House Shake with simplified installation without sacrificing the natural appearance of traditional cedar shingle homes.
“I would say it was about 75 percent faster than installing individual cedar shingles,” said Hansen. “It gave us the look we wanted without the labor-intensive installation process.”
Hansen pointed to nearby homes already showing signs of weathering, fading, and discoloration.
“There’s a house around the block that installed natural shake around the same time,” said Hansen. “You go by it now, it’s fading, it’s all gray, and there are green mold streaks down the side. They’ll have to spend a fortune cleaning and refinishing it.”
For Hansen, the project ultimately validated his decision. While he initially wondered if a composite shingle would be appropriate for a luxury residence, the finished result exceeded expectations.
“When you’re building homes like this, you’re always thinking long-term,” said Hansen. “You want something that’s going to look beautiful for years and that’s what Beach House Shake delivered.”
About Tando Composites
Tando Composites, a division of Derby Building Products, is the leader in composite exterior cladding with Beach House Shake, the authentic composite shingle, and TandoStone, the #1 brand of composite stone. Backed by more than five decades of product innovation, Tando Composites produces high-performance products that professionals prefer and consumers demand. Learn more about Beach House Shake at www.beachhouseshake.com or visit www.tandocomposites.com for the full catalog of Tando Composites’ products.
