National builder to use HardieZone™ System and ColorPlus® technology in Florida

Mission Viejo, CA, March 2, 2010- James Hardie Building Products Inc. (NYSE: JHX) today said that K. Hovnanian Homes a leading national homebuilder, will use new James Hardie products in its Ballymore at Panther Trace community, located in the greater Tampa area.

The builder will use the HardieZone™ System of exterior cladding, enhanced with ColorPlus technology. In addition, HardieWrap™ weather barrier will be used on all the homes. K. Hovnanian is using the new products as part of its program to build homes that deliver value to Florida homebuyers by meeting Florida Green Home and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

The HardieZone System is Engineered for Climate™, specifically designed to deliver superior performance under varying climate conditions. K. Hovnanian will use the HZ10™ product line, which delivers maximum protection in climates with high rainfall, humidity, and extreme heat, while being resistant to moisture damage, cracking, splitting, rotting, swelling, high winds, termites and flame. ColorPlus technology involves applying consistent, multiple coats of paint at the factory, resulting in superior color matching, enhanced durability and resistance to prolonged heat and moisture exposure. ColorPlus lasts up to twice as long as conventional paint application and adds up to 30 percent more fade resistance when installed in climate zones with significant ultraviolet exposure.

"K. Hovnanian uses only those products that help us deliver the value and dependability our customers across the country have come to expect over the last 50 years," said George Schulmeyer, division president of K. Hovnanian Homes in the Tampa area. "The sunshine that gives Florida its name is tough on homes, but other James Hardie products have shown their mettle here. We like this new climate-specific siding and, based on the prior performance of James Hardie products, decided to use it on the 54 homes we're starting at Ballymore."

Schulmeyer said the ColorPlus technology can be installed quickly and will help K. Hovnanian with its goal of building homes that are more efficient use of resources, deliver higher quality at competitive prices and leave a smaller footprint on the environment.

"With ColorPlus, we don't have to worry about the environmental concerns that must be closely managed when painting siding on site, and there are no weather-related delays," he said.

"The HardieZone System and ColorPlus offer a smart, durable, high quality, low maintenance siding solution for homebuilders looking to add beauty and value their homes," said Prashant Panchal, James Hardie's Head of Marketing. "The K. Hovnanian homes at Panther Trace are going to look amazing 15 to 20 years from now, while other homes built at the same time, with different siding materials, may not look as good after being exposed to the region's climate for that long."

About James Hardie
James Hardie has been manufacturing building products for more than 100 years. It introduced fiber cement siding products to the U.S. in the early 90s as a durable, low-maintenance alternative to wood and vinyl. James Hardie products are Engineered for Climate™, delivering specific performance attributes relative to the climate where the product is being used. Currently installed on over four million homes, James Hardie products have earned a favorable reputation within the industry and have been specified in some of the country's most prestigious projects. More information about James Hardie is available at http://www.jameshardie.com.

About K. Hovnanian Homes
K. Hovnanian Homes is the sixth largest homebuilder in the nation. Founded in 1959 by the late Kevork S. Hovnanian, the company sells homes in 18 states and the District of Columbia. The parent company, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., is headquartered in Red Bank, N.J., and delivered 5,659 homes during Fiscal 2009 under several names. Of those, 489 homes were delivered in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Additional homes in those states were sold through joint ventures. The company reported $437.4 million in total revenues in Fiscal 2009. K. Hovnanian builds planned communities that include single-family, townhomes and garden homes. In addition, it constructs homes in mid-rise, high-rise and mixed-use buildings. The company also is well known for its active-adult homes, branded as K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons, and its expertise in community redevelopment and environment rehabilitation. More information is available at www.khov.com or at 888-KHOV-HOME.

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Vertical Marketing Network
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