Choosing the right cladding material for your home in March is one of the most important decisions in the whole project - get it wrong and you will be dealing with problems within a few years; get it right and the building will look and perform better for decades.
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When homeowners start looking at exterior cladding, the conversation often goes straight to cost. But price per board is one of the least useful figures to focus on. What matters is the total installed cost, how much maintenance the material needs over its life, and whether it is genuinely suited to the building and its situation. At Downham Market Roofers we work with three main material families - timber, composite and fibre cement - and we will be straight with you about where each one works well and where it does not.
Timber is the traditional choice and, when specified and maintained correctly, it performs well and looks excellent. The most commonly used species for exterior cladding in the UK are Western red cedar, Scots pine, larch and Siberian larch. Each has different characteristics.
Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insects and has a long track record as an exterior timber. It is dimensionally stable compared to many softwoods and weathers to an attractive silver-grey if left uncoated. Larch, particularly the Siberian variety, is dense, resinous and also naturally durable. Pine is cheaper but needs thorough preservative treatment and regular recoating to last well outdoors.
Timber cladding typically comes in profile options that include featheredge, shiplap and tongue-and-groove. The profile affects both appearance and how water sheds from the surface, with featheredge and shiplap generally performing better in exposed conditions because rainwater runs clear of the laps.
Composite cladding is made from a mixture of wood fibre and plastic polymers, engineered to combine the look of timber with far greater resistance to moisture and dimensional change. It is manufactured in boards that mimic the appearance of sawn or planed timber, and is available in a range of colours and surface textures.
The core selling point is low maintenance. Composite boards do not need painting, staining or oiling. A periodic wash down to remove dirt and prevent algae build-up on the surface is generally all that is required. The colour is consistent throughout the board rather than applied as a surface coating, so minor surface scratches are less visible than on painted timber.
Installed cost for composite is higher than for basic timber - typically £80-£150 per square metre for supply and fit, depending on the product specification and site conditions. That figure varies with access, the extent of any underlying repair work, and the complexity of the detailing around openings and at junctions.
Fibre cement boards are made from Portland cement, sand and cellulose fibres pressed into flat or profiled sheets. They have been used in construction for decades and have a strong track record in demanding external environments. The surface is factory-primed or pre-finished and can be overpainted on site to any colour.
Fibre cement is non-combustible, which is a relevant consideration in some planning and building control contexts. It is also resistant to rot, insect attack and moisture, and its non-porous surface resists algae growth better than most timber products. Boards are typically available in 3-4 metre lengths and various widths, making them adaptable to a range of elevational designs.
The material is heavier than both timber and most composites, and it requires more care when cutting on site as it produces fine dust. Cutting should always be done with appropriate dust control. Boards are brittle compared to timber and can crack under impact or if fixed under tension - correct installation practice is important.
All three materials are available in a range of colours. Composite and fibre cement are typically supplied pre-finished or pre-primed. Timber can be supplied pre-treated or bare, and finished on site. Dark colours absorb more heat and can accelerate surface coating breakdown on timber. Lighter colours tend to be more forgiving in terms of maintenance cycles.
Check whether a planning condition applies to external appearance before committing to a colour. In conservation areas or for listed buildings, the local planning authority may have specific requirements. This is worth confirming before any material is ordered.
The right material depends on the specific building, its exposure, whether there is a ventilated cavity, what is being replaced and what your long-term priorities are. There is no single right answer. If you want an honest assessment of which material makes sense for your property, call us and we can come and look at the job with you before you commit to anything.
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