How To Guide – Essential Tips On House Cladding
Shopping for a new home? Looking to improve yours? Knowing a bit more about house cladding can help. It will not only ensure you’re familiar with the different options as you shop, but if you’re looking to improve your existing home, it will also help you quickly learn more about the power of wall cladding to external surfaces to revitalise and clean up your current home.
Why does Wall Cladding Matter?
Over the past few years, many people have changed house ideas regarding how they decorate the outside of their homes, which often means looking for something a bit more modern. Enter cladding. Exterior cladding panels offer the perfect chance to put your stamp on your home, as it’s a fast way to change its appearance for the better. Cladded houses also typically enjoy higher overall property values.
You’ll find external cladding can decrease the maintenance needs on your property as well. Because exterior wall cladding often just needs a simple cleaning, it’s simple to care for, which is a great way to simplify maintaining your property. Additionally, the right cladding panel can help further insulate your property, keeping the heat in during the cooler winter months and the heat out during the warm summer months.
Still not sure? Take a look at some before and after house cladding UK photos. You’ll quickly see just how much this home upgrade can matter.
What is Cladding?
If you’re not yet familiar with cladding panelling, it might be helpful to take a closer look at exactly what it is. Available in many shapes and sizes, wall cladding on exterior surfaces is typically available in prefabricated style panels or boards. They’re added to the exterior walls of your home in specific spaces or across the entire building. Traditional UK homes were built from nearby materials like brick, stone, and timber, but over time, those materials can weather unevenly and look unsightly. With wall cladding, house insulation values tend to go up considerably.
There are several different kinds of cladding for houses available today. One quick search for exterior wall cladding ideas UK homeowners have used will reveal quite a few different options.
Composite outdoor cladding is one great option. It’s a mixture of wood and exterior plastic cladding together, and the result is something that looks a bit like timber but is far more durable. This modern exterior cladding idea is always low maintenance, and you can choose several different styles to help meet your needs. It’s environmentally friendly, as it’s made using FSC-accredited wood fibres as well as recycled plastic. Many companies offer this building cladding, and you’ll find the installation process fairly easy. These external wall cladding sheets are also really low maintenance. You’ll never need to sand or paint when cladding a house with this material. Additionally, you can count on these external cladding sheets to resist UV rays without any real fading. It is also rot, warp, and stain resistant. It comes in several colours as well. This type of cladding typically does not guarantee any additional thermal insulation for your home, so while it looks amazing, you may not get the added insulating power you were hoping for with cladding. That’s one reason it’s one of the top shed cladding ideas because while it adds beauty, it may not always add function. To get a closer look at this option, you may want to use a search engine to find modern house cladding before and after pics. Often they feature composite cladding. Cladding a building with this is always a good choice.
You’re also likely to see uPVC cladding building options. Sometimes called plastic cladding, exterior surfaces look gorgeous with this choice. This type is made from Polyvinyl Chloride, and it’s a lightweight material that makes a great alternative to timber. When you choose PVC cladding, exterior panels will be smooth on the outside and hollow on the inside. These external wall cladding panels are easy to install for professionals, as they have a tongue and groove system that fits together perfectly. PVC outside wall cladding comes in lots of different colours as well. From bright reds to grey cladding, house colour options are endless with this type of cladding. There are other options too for these exterior wall panels. You could choose a stone effect cladding for exterior walls. UK homeowners find this choice to be a great one. Like many other types of exterior cladding panels, these plastic house cladding panels are UV resistant, so you can expect they won’t fade over time. This external plastic cladding shouldn’t warp or rot as the years pass either. It’s practically maintenance-free outside of a yearly cleaning. The only will drawback of this type of cladding for outside walls is that it’s not environmentally friendly as it’s made from non-natural materials. External PVC cladding may also need to be replaced far sooner than other house cladding options would, as eventually, it will begin to show signs of wear.
Another beautiful choice is brick cladding. Exterior surfaces with brick cladding are both attractive and durable. This makes a great cladding for the front of a house because it’s likely to truly increase your curb appeal. You don’t just have to use a traditional brick surface, though. If you love exterior brick cladding, panels UK homeowners can use that look like brick are also available. These are usually PVC-based, but other types look like brick surfaces. External brick cladding is available in many different colours, shapes, and sizes.
Metal cladding can also be used. Many different types are commonly applied in UK building projects including galvanizes steel, copper, zinc, and aluminium. It’s a bit like working with composite cladding because metal panels are available in several different styles and finishes. One reason so many people like metal cladding is that it’s very low maintenance. It requires almost nothing from homeowners to ensure it continues to look great. There are several other benefits to this type of cladding, though. First, it’s virtually impossible to damage it with the weather. Neither the rain nor the snow will damage the material itself, and it doesn’t provide a surface for mould growth of any kind. It’s also insect-proof, so you don’t have to worry about problem bugs invading your cladding. Moreover, it is fireproof, helping protect you and your family in a fire. For as many positive sides as there are to this material, there are a few drawbacks as well. Metal cladding doesn’t tend to be as environmentally friendly as many other options. Fortunately, however, given that it’s recyclable, you may be able to find recycled cladding panels. Additionally, it is possible to pick up some dents and dings along the way with certain types of metal cladding. Hail, for example, could create several issues with your cladding.
Wood cladding outside your home is another good option. Wood cladding for houses means a more traditional appearance, and you can choose wood cladding for walls that are made from either softwood or hardwood. The timber you can get with wood cladding comes in several different shades. The material here is, obviously, a natural one, and with a bit of looking, you’ll easily find environmentally sourced timber to help meet environmental guidelines. It’s also easy to find companies that specialise in houses with cladding made from wood. Wooden cladding for houses also provides a better level of heat and sound insulation than many other products on the market today. A timber-clad house means using one of the longest-lasting materials available today, and you can select either a treated or untreated option to help change the look of your cladding. The real drawback with this type of cladding, though, is that it’s not maintenance-free. It does require painting or staining on an annual basis. It also weathers fairly easily if you don’t choose a treated option. Moreover, if you ever want to change the colour of the cladding, you may have a hard time painting it. Finally, not every company offers to clad houses with wood as it’s a bit tougher to install, so you’ll have to search to find the right team of professionals to help with installation.
Shou Sugi Ban cladding on buildings originated in Japan but offers an incredibly unique look to homes across the UK. This is a wood-based cladding for a house, but it has been treated, and then carefully charred to ensure it is durable and resistant to the weather. High-quality Shou Sugi Ban cladding can last for more than 80 years, as not only does it look unique – it often looks like a black-clad house – but the wood fibres themselves are incredibly durable as a result of the process. Here you’ll find deep brown and charcoal-coloured boards, so if you’re not sure the look is right for you, you may want to consider another option. As with wood cladding for exterior walls, not every contractor specialises in this option, so you may need to look to find a team to meet your needs. You may also want to look carefully at the type of structure you have. While this is one of the top bungalow cladding ideas, it may not work well on every property.
Hanging tile cladding for external walls is one more option to add to your list. This choice is sometimes called vertical tile or outdoor wall tiles. Cladding like this uses the idea of roofing tiles on the exterior walls. It creates a fairly traditional look and it means no real shift from the roof to the home itself, building an overall seamless appearance. This type of external house cladding has fallen out of fashion, as it was most popular in the late 20th century, but more and more, it’s beginning to come back into style. It looks a bit like brick because the roof tiles are often clay in nature, and while it’s a bit more expensive than other exterior house cladding, it certainly looks distinctive.
Render Cladding
Most external cladding panels utilise solid materials like boards or PVC. Render, though, is a very different kind of exterior wall cladding UK homeowners choose. This is a wet solution, a bit like plaster. It’s applied evenly across your exterior walls. It looks clean and attractive once it’s complete, but it is fairly time-consuming. It is relatively maintenance-free, though, and just using it on parts of your property will give it an entirely new look. It can be a bit more expensive, and it does take some additional time, but it’s well worth it in the end. You can choose from a part-rendered house or you can use render cladding on the whole thing.
What To Know Before Choosing the Right Cladding to Meet Your Needs
There are several key factors to consider before you decide on the right cladding. Insulation should be one of your biggest concerns. Insulating your home can help keep your energy bills low, and that could not only mean an initial return on your investment, but also a more valuable home in the long run. Each cladding you consider should have an energy rating to help you decide how efficient it might be at keeping the summer heat out and the winter warmth in. If you’re concerned about your home’s energy efficiency now, the right cladding can help improve that.
Naturally, you’ll also want to consider appearance. With so many different cladding options on the market today, you have much to choose from. Your goal should be not only to select one that you truly like, but also one that makes your home fit in with the feel of your neighbourhood. Think hard about whether you’re looking for something modern and chic or natural and rustic as you work to consider all of your options.
Maintenance should also be among your concern. No matter what type of cladding you choose, some maintenance will be involved. Understanding just how much maintenance, though, is key. Think about how much time you’re willing to dedicate to your cladding after it’s been installed so you can select the right product to meet your needs. For example, should you select timber cladding, you may need to reapply rot resistance treatment every few years or so. Is that an expense and time commitment you’re willing to undertake? If not, you might want to consider a different material.
Lifespan should also be on your radar. Some cladding will last more than thirty years. Other cladding options, though, could eventually begin to break down with the ongoing exposure to the elements. Knowing what’s right for your budget and your home depends on knowing which materials are most durable.
Think, too, about ease of installation. How long will this cladding project take? You want to know before you select a cladding type, as longer projects can truly interrupt your schedule and create real hassles in your day-to-day life. As you select a cladding to meet your needs, ask what options take the longest and decide whether you have that kind of time in your schedule.
A Cost Breakdown for Cladding on Houses
If you’re looking into house cladding ideas, you’ll certainly want to take a hard look at the costs associated with the process. Hanging tile is perhaps your most expensive choice, coming in for £66-80 per square metre for both materials and labour. Part of the reason for this cost is that cladding exterior walls in tile is a labour-intensive process. Render comes in a close second, as between materials and labour per square metre, the typical rendering cost per m2 UK homeowners pay is £45-60. Stone exterior cladding options, then, are one of the more affordable options, hitting £30 – 50 per square metre. Timber cladding usually runs around £50 per square metre. Fibre Cement is equally as affordable, costing just £25 – 30 per square metre. Composite cladding is equally as affordable, coming in at just £30 per square metre. PVC is even cheaper at £20 per square metre.
Before You Select Your Cladded House Options, Consider Planning Permission
Planning permission is an obstacle no homeowner wants to consider for any project. Fortunately, most projects that involve exterior cladding buildings don’t require permission. This isn’t true everywhere, though, so it’s best to check with your local planning authority to check before you choose to have cladding installed. After all, if you fail to obtain permission, you may be asked to remove your cladding after it’s been installed, which can be a serious problem.
Even if you don’t need permission, check with your neighbours to ensure your plans don’t impact their homes. Being a good neighbour is key to keeping up the value of your home.
Planning permission is almost always required if you have a listed building, live in an area of outstanding natural beauty, have a home in a conservation area, or live in a national park. Be sure to double-check before you even book a contractor.
Should I Clad My Home Before Selling?
If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market shortly and you’re wondering whether cladding is a good investment, you’re certainly not alone. Cladding helps to improve a home’s kerb appeal, and that could mean big things when it comes to the actual selling price of your home. After all, if you were a buyer, would you want to pull up to a home that looks like yours currently or one that looks phenomenal after a cladding project that’s been well done? Most buyers are looking for that turnkey appeal as they go to buy a home, and a brand new cladding job can do exactly that, helping your home to stand out among the many others on the market today. One study found that homeowners recover up to 75% of a cladding project’s value because they see a value increase in their home after the project is complete.
If you’re not sure whether to undertake an expensive cladding project before you sell your home, your best bet is to chat with your estate agent before you make the choice. He or she can guide you in the right direction, helping you evaluate the current value of your home against the increase in value you might see if the right external cladding were to be added to your home. Moreover, should you decide to have cladding installed, your estate agent can help guide you toward the most valuable look for your home, helping you select the cladding that might work best.
The Bottom Line on Home Cladding
If you’re considering the many cladding ideas available, no matter what you choose, you’re making a great choice. Be sure to select one that will not only match your style but enhance your home’s value for years to come. To help make your choice easier, you may want to consider looking at house cladding before and after pics online to decide what best matches your desired outdoor style, then talk to a professional team that can help make it happen.
The cladding has the power to completely transform your home as long as you know exactly what you want while you’re trying to choose. Chat with several building professionals in your area to help you make the perfect choice for your space, and then have your cladding project completed!
