Hi, Our company is doing new construction in New York.  The style is modern and the construction must be fireproof.  Green is desired though we are not going for Leeds.  Finally we are on a budget.   For exterior cladding , the architect has suggested hardipanel or a product called ecocem.  The hardipanel is cheap but needs to be painted, is usually mounted with exposed screws and is hard to cut.  We are not sold on look.  The ecocem is easier to cut and comes in a few colors but also screws on.    It is a bit more fibery looking than hardipanel and doesn't look so great up close.  Have also looked at ecoclad but understand from a builder who used it that it has issues.  And it's expensive.  Ideally, we'd use stone but it's heavy and expensive.  Thin stone over honeycomb aluminum meets weight requirement but is pricy.  Don't know much about European products like Trespa although they look interesting. 

Wondering if anyone knows of a stone like material that doesn't require painting, is not too expensive, and can be back mounted to avoid visible screws. 

Note, Asian products might fit bill on cost but for green and other reasons would prefer to stay domestic or, at minimum, with European co. w. US subsidiary.

Thanks for any ideas and specifics, if possible, on price. 

The only siding that I can think of that might meet your needs is Suretouch. Fasteners are hidden, should be fireproof but I do not know the cost.

Later on, let us know what you decide to use.

Most of the European fiber cement systems such as Eter-Color, Natura and SwissPearl are hung using low profile color matched rivets on a metal sub girt systems. In Europe Aluminum panel support systems are the norm while the USA, Galvanized steel zees and hatbars are used. Eter-Color panel is very popular and is the least expensive of the European systems.

The same companies also have hidden fastener systems but they require the panel to be a minimum of 13mm or 1/2" thick so there is enough holding power in the expanding fastener they use. The hidden fastener hanging system features aluminum clips held to the back of the panel by expanding fasteners. The panel is then hung like a picture frame on continuous horizontal aluminum extrusions.