"The old fibrolite was easy to damage," Bob says. "Timber weatherboards look a million dollars and they are tough – they'll look good for years. They're just such a good reliable product."

The new look has won the approval of the Gladstone School principal, Dave Shadbolt.

"The classrooms look great," Dave says. "The refurbishment has brought 40 year plus buildings into the 21st century."

In addition to his work on schools around the Auckland region, Bob van der Heide is also getting ready to build a new house in Warkworth for his family.

"I wouldn't use a composite product – it's heavy to work with, and it doesn't weather as well as timber in my opinion."

Bob's cladding of choice for his new home? "Timber!"