As a homeowner, choosing the right cladding for your home means choosing the option that best balances protection with aesthetics and function. Beyond aesthetics and protection, the right cladding can boost the value of your property and reduce the cost of your energy bills – this makes deciding on the right cladding for your home an important decision. Fortunately, we at Timber-Pro Ltd are an independent timber merchant, offering a variety of premium timber cladding solutions. So, if you’re not sure what is the right type of cladding for your home, you’re in the right place.
In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cladding including the different types available, the benefits of cladding and the factors you need to consider to choose the right cladding for your home. Read on to find out more from your cladding specialists, Timber-Pro Ltd…
Understanding Cladding
What exactly is cladding?
Before we explore how to choose the right cladding for your home, you need to understand what it is, and what it does. Cladding is the coating or material applied to the exterior of a building and can be comprised of many materials including timber, brick, and fibreglass. Cladding is either attached to the walls or fixed to supporting battens to cover the exterior of a property, therefore protecting your home from weathering and wear, and enhancing your property’s appearance.
What types of cladding are there?
Timber Cladding
Timber is one of the world’s oldest building materials and we can see examples of centuries-old timber cladding in countries across the world. The success of timber for cladding speaks for itself with many homeowners choosing this robust and durable material for their home’s cladding. Timber cladding boasts a range of benefits including:
- Sustainable and eco-friendly option for cladding.
- Provides thermal insulation and noise reduction.
- Timber cladding can last for up to 60 years.
- Timber cladding generates zero waste.
- Low-maintenance and highly durable.
- Fully recyclable, biodegradable material.
Concrete Cladding
Concrete cladding is made from a mix of cement, cellulose fibres, clay, iron and limestone. While it isn’t the most sustainable of cladding materials, it is incredibly long-lasting and can last for over 50 years if maintained properly. Additionally, at the end of its lifespan, concrete can be fully recycled. Here are some additional benefits of concrete cladding…
What are the benefits of concrete cladding?
- Low-cost, affordable option.
- Easy to install and maintain.
- Fantastic protection against the elements.
- Won’t expand or contract easily.
- Available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Brick Cladding
Brick cladding is popular among UK homeowners as it boasts excellent insulation. Moreover, it is an environmentally friendly and low-maintenance cladding type for many homes. Furthermore, bricks are made from organic minerals found in clay, and at the end of their lifespan, they can be fully reused or recycled.
What are the benefits of brick cladding?
- Easy installation and maintenance.
- UV and corrosion-resistant.
- Hardwearing and won’t damage easily.
- Can withstand the UK elements.
- Available in a selection of colours and finishes.
Metal Cladding
Metal cladding is typically made from copper, steel or aluminium and is one of the most hard-wearing cladding types on the market. Metal cladding protects buildings against the elements and can increase the overall integrity of a building. Additionally, metal cladding has a long lifespan and requires less maintenance than other cladding types.
What are the benefits of metal cladding?
- Incredibly hard-wearing and resilient.
- Easy to install and maintain.
- Protects against the elements.
- Improves the structural integrity of a building.
- Available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Composite Cladding
Made from a mixture of recycled materials such as recycled wood fibres, recycled plastic, some bonding agents, and some colourants, composite cladding is a highly sustainable material. The process of making composite cladding is also energy-efficient in itself – the only energy required to make composite cladding is when the boards are being shaped.
What are the benefits of composite cladding?
- Easy installation and maintenance.
- UV and corrosion-resistant.
- Hardwearing and won’t rot, warp or stain easily.
- Can withstand the UK elements.
- Available in a selection of colours and finishes.
- Known to be a stylish and contemporary option.
If you would like to find out more about our cladding solutions or have questions about timber cladding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help!
Choosing the Right Cladding for Your Home: Factors to Consider
Choosing the right cladding for your home is a decision that encompasses many factors. From function and aesthetics to your location and more, there are many things to consider when choosing the type of cladding that’s right for you. Here at Timber-Pro Ltd, we have helped many clients in their search for the perfect cladding. Here are some of the main factors to consider…
- Climate and Location
Where you live has a huge bearing on the type of cladding you choose for your property. You will need to consider the local climate as rain, wind, humidity and more can impact the durability and longevity of your cladding. For example, in areas with high rainfall, you may wish to consider vinyl or metal cladding, whilst homes in direct sunlight may need UV-resistant cladding such as brick or metal cladding.
- Sustainability
The cladding you choose for your home can have an impact on the sustainability of your property. With many homeowners seeking cleaner, greener lifestyles, choosing environmentally-friendly cladding can be a priority. With environmental concerns at the forefront of society, timber provides a sustainable cladding solution for many homeowners and can help battle ongoing environmental issues.
- Budget
How much do you want to spend on your home’s cladding? By determining your budget and exploring cladding options, you can find the one that best fits your financial plans. For those who wish to splurge, brick cladding has a higher upfront cost (although benefits include a long lifespan and minimal maintenance). Those with a smaller budget may with to consider timber cladding which, despite a cheaper price, doesn’t compromise the quality.
- Maintenance
You will need to consider how much maintenance you are willing or able to do on your cladding. Minimal maintenance options include metal cladding and timber cladding. Our timber cladding is treated for longevity, reducing the need for constant maintenance and repairs. What’s more, timber cladding repairs are often cheaper than other cladding types such as vinyl or fibreglass.
- Durability
Consider the lifespan and durability of your cladding material choice. While none of the cladding options mentioned above have particularly short lifespans, some are more durable than others. Metal cladding, for example, provides long-term protection against pests and fire, whilst brick cladding is known for its durability and ability to withstand various weather conditions.
- Aesthetics
Style and design are huge deciding factors when choosing the right type of cladding for your property. Choosing cladding for your home is a highly personalised decision and one not to be taken lightly. For those who desire the natural, warm look of wood, timber cladding should be considered. Brick cladding, meanwhile, delivers a timeless elegance to your home, whilst metal cladding will inject contemporary sleekness into your property.
- Energy Efficiency
With energy bill costs on the rise, seeking energy efficiency in the home is key for many homeowners. Cladding can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your property by regulating indoor temperatures and reducing energy consumption – if you choose the right type. Timber cladding, for example, is a great solution for thermal insulation and noise reduction as it retains heat far better than other materials.
By thoroughly considering all of the above factors, you should be perfectly placed to decide which type of cladding is right for your home and lifestyle. If you’re still not sure about the type of cladding you need, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Timber-Pro Ltd today – we can provide trusted advice and recommendations.
What are the benefits of cladding your home?
- Provides Protection
Cladding is designed to provide your home with a resilient water and weather-resistant protective coating. It also protects your home’s structure against ageing and general wear and tear well into the future.
- Longevity
As cladding experts, we at Timber-Pro Ltd have seen cladding last for well over 20 years. Our professional installation and premium-quality materials mean that your cladding will be long-lasting and will require little maintenance.
- Increases Property Value
Did you know that installing cladding can significantly increase your home’s value? A protected and maintained exterior is an attractive feature to potential buyers. This makes cladding a smart investment for any homeowner.
- Range of Styles
Cladding is available in a diverse range of styles, colours, and finishes. This means that it can be customised to your tastes and requirements. Whether you’re looking for the natural look of timber or prefer a contemporary metal exterior, cladding can do it all.
- Fire resistant
The materials used for cladding are often treated to be fire-resistant for your peace of mind and protection. This means that they are non-combustible and will slow the spread of a fire in the event of an incident.
How is cladding applied?
- Get in touch with us
Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and to receive a bespoke quote based on your requirements.
- Assessment
We will visit your home to assess the condition of your walls to ensure that the cladding will be effective.
- Preparation
We will prepare your home by removing external details such as bargeboards, drainage pipes and more.
- Insulation
We will apply external wall insulation ahead of installing cladding to ensure thermal efficiency.
- Cladding
We’ll apply your cladding with precision to achieve the quality results we’re known for.
- Finishes
Once the cladding process is completed on all walls, we’ll reapply your fixtures (bargeboards etc).
Cladding FAQs
Q. Do you need planning permission for house cladding?
Many external cladding projects fall within ‘permitted developments’ and shouldn’t require planning permission. However, we recommend that you get in touch with us or your local authority for more information.
Q. How much does cladding cost?
The average cost of cladding will vary depending on several factors. We recommend contacting us today to discuss your requirements so we can provide you with an accurate quote.
Q. Is timber cladding environmentally friendly?
At Timber-Pro Ltd, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are proud to work alongside certified suppliers who provide sustainably sourced timber. Our services are designed by us, for you, with the environment in mind so that we can deliver sustainable solutions every single time. For more information about our sustainable cladding solutions contact us today!
Q. Can cladding improve energy efficiency?
Yes, many cladding materials can improve the insulation and thermal efficiency of your home. This will boost your home’s energy efficiency and will lower the cost of your energy bills.
Q. Can cladding be painted?
Some cladding types can be painted depending on the material. Speak to us for more information.
Q. Can I install cladding myself?
While it is possible to install cladding yourself, we recommend professional installation for quality and optimal results.
Why Choose Us?
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Years of Experience We have years of experience of
working with high-quality timber
solutions, including
timber cladding. You can trust that your
project is in safe hands with our
experts.
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Sustainable Solutions We take our environmental
responsibilities seriously and are
proud to work alongside certified
suppliers who provide
sustainably-sourced timber for a
clean, green solution.
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Quality Workmanship Our team takes pride in attention
to detail and delivering excellent
results. We are known for our
quality workmanship on every
project we undertake.
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