we've done both: with the render finsh and painting the Hebel was more labour intensive, not cheaper than brick and the joints broke down after only two years It does provide good insulation but the same or better results can be achieved more efficiently...our next project will be reverse brick veneer with insulated Colorbond cladding..we concentrate on the shell of the building (roof, external walls, windows, doors and floors as the internal fittings can be added or upgraded over time...living without a proper kitchen for seven months allowed us to pay for better quality windows but you must plan to suit your climate and conditions, good luck

We have used the power panel very successfully. We used it as an alternative to double brick which is the norm here in WA.

There was a large time saving and reduction in wet trades in using the panel and framing/Gyprocker as opposed to the bricks. We then meshed and two coat textured the exterior.

In comparison to the double bricks, the insulation gain was enormous and we also eliminated the heat gain from the bricks.

I would happily use it more if the market in WA wasn't so brick oriented.

What is its life span like?

Check with the manufacturer for warranty, but the first job we did in it approx 10 years ago still looks the same as the day we finished it.

Hebel itself is fine, its the render and paint where the issues can be. A good render job is great but you need to allow for expansion joints as well. The good renderers will know this.

Use a combination of face brick and render over Hebel rather than the blandness of render only for example.