A Buying Guide to Cladding

If you're considering cladding for your next project, this comprehensive Buying Guide is essential. Whether you're renovating a property, upgrading your exterior, or researching the best cladding for house projects, understanding the different options available can help you make the right decision.

In this guide, we'll explore everything from wooden to cedar to composite, as well as PVC and fibre cement products. You'll learn what cladding is, the benefits of different materials, installation considerations, and how to choose the best one for your property!

What is cladding?

Simply put, cladding is a protective layer fixed to the exterior of a building to improve appearance, weather resistance, and insulation performance.

Building cladding can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, including timber, composite, stone, fibre cement, and PVC. As well as enhancing a property's visual appeal, it also helps protect external walls from rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations.

Today, wood cladding remains one of the most popular choices for both traditional and modern designs due to its natural appearance, versatility, and sustainability.

How to choose the right cladding material

Choosing the best material depends on several factors, including budget, maintenance requirements, appearance, and durability.

Consider:

The style of your property
Exposure to weather conditions
Maintenance expectations
Installation complexity
Long-term costs
Sustainability credentials

For many homeowners, wooden cladding offers the perfect balance between aesthetics and performance, while composite products provide a lower-maintenance alternative.

Cladding is a layer of material that is usually applied to the exterior of a building to improve its aesthetics and provide additional protection from the elements.

What are the main types of cladding?

There are numerous types available, each offering unique benefits. Whether you're looking for external wood solutions or modern composite systems, understanding the differences will help you select the right product.

Wood Cladding

Natural, attractive and environmentally friendly, timber cladding remains one of the most sought-after options for residential and commercial projects. Available in a range of species including cedar, larch and treated softwood, wooden can be painted, stained or left to weather naturally.

Benefits include:

Natural appearance
Renewable material
Excellent design flexibility
Suitable for traditional and modern homes

One of the most popular forms of external cladding wood is cedar, thanks to its natural resistance to rot and insect attack.

Composite Cladding

Cladding composite products combine recycled wood fibres and plastics to create a durable, low-maintenance alternative to timber.

Benefits include:

Excellent weather resistance
Minimal maintenance
Long lifespan
Resistant to warping and rot

However, composite products can be more expensive initially and may not offer the same authentic appearance as natural wood cladding.

External cladding

The majority of cladding projects involve external applications. Exterior cladding protects the structure from weather damage while improving thermal efficiency and kerb appeal.

Traditional wood remains a popular choice, but homeowners are increasingly considering composite and fibre cement products due to their low-maintenance properties.

Whether you're renovating a period property or creating a contemporary extension, cladding outdoor applications can dramatically transform the appearance of your home.

Modern cladding trends

Modern designs increasingly favour clean lines, sustainable materials and contemporary finishes.

Popular trends include:

Vertical wood
Black-stained timber
Composite board systems
Mixed-material façades
Slatted timber feature walls

These styles can create striking visual effects while maintaining the practical benefits associated with high-quality building cladding.

Inside the home, cladding has many applications.

How to fit cladding

If you're researching how to fit cladding, the process will vary depending on the chosen material and system (but the process makes it very easy to install!)

Before installation, ensure you have:

Plywood sheathing
Breather membrane or house wrap
Insulation boards
Cladding boards
Fixings and trims
Tape measure
Circular saw
Spirit level
Drill or nail gun

How to install cladding

Measure the wall area accurately.
Install plywood sheathing where required.
Apply a weather-resistant breather membrane.
Fix battens to create a ventilated cavity.
Install insulation if required.
Begin fixing the cladding from the bottom of the wall.
Ensure each board is level before securing.
Fit trims, corner profiles and finishing details.
Apply a suitable finish to any exposed wood cladding.

Following manufacturer guidance is essential when learning how to install cladding, as fixing methods vary between timber, PVC and composite products.