Where to build - again!

[scottydog]

Wow - so much good info! Here on Vancouver island (another big island) I have only seen hardie board used on exteriors. I like the idea of using it for interiors as I can see that it would be far superior to drywall over the long run. Structural aluminum framing is also a new one for me as we typically frame with Douglas Fir. I really appreciate all your great advice as it adds to me knowledge base as I plot out my long-range plan to buy land and eventually build.
Mahalo