tiMBer ClaDDing alternatives
There are several reasons why you might consider fibre cement or PVCu boards rather than natural timber. They are both low maintenance, require no painting and are easy to fit. Unlike timber, they are not susceptible to rot or stain either.
Fibre cement is impervious to wood pests and can withstand extreme weather conditions — the only form of maintenance it will require is the odd wash down with warm soapy water.
PVCu is low maintenance although it can, over time, fade in colour, warp and sag — it can also crack in very cold weather conditions. You get what you pay for, so choose a product with a long guarantee and one that you can see installed examples of.
BriCk anD stone
Stone, in particular, is incredibly hardwearing and requires next to no maintenance — which is why coastal homes so often feature materials such as Purbeck stone and Blue Lias. However, as a wholehouse cladding option, it can be expensive and it is not an architectural style that suits all areas.
Brick-clad buildings should stand the test of time with little to no maintenance, providing a suitable mortar is chosen. “There are a number of products that can be used to protect materials such as brick and concrete,” says Darren Bray. “These materials are hydrophobic in the way that they operate, so once applied become micro-porous and when rain hits any material treated, the water beads, rather than soaks into the surface.”
self-Cleaning WinDoWs
To further reduce the maintenance requirements of the exterior of your home, you might consider self-cleaning glass in your windows. The Pilkington Activ range (pilkington.com) is the world’s first self-cleaning glass, using a microscopic coating. There are two stages to the process involving a ‘photocatalytic’ reaction where the coating reacts with sunlight to break down dirt before a ‘hydrophilic’ process where, instead of forming droplets on the glass, rainwater spreads evenly over it, running off in a sheet, and taking the loosened dirt with it — it also dries out quickly to avoid streaks forming.
WinDoWs anD Doors
The key is not to scrimp on quality from the outset if you don’t want expensive issues later on. “Spending a little more on really well-made windows is a must,” says Darren Bray, “as is increasing the paint specification on external elements.”
Lower cost PVCu windows hold some appeal from a budget perspective and require no painting, but their appeal diminishes if the surface colour fades or stains over time, or the glazing units fail. Timber windows undoubtedly look beautiful, but require some input in order to remain this way.
The lifespan of a coat of paint will depend on the conditions that the window is exposed to. Those in constant sunlight or in areas of high wind and frequent rain will deteriorate faster than those in sheltered spots. They should be checked annually for signs of flaking as once the protection that paint or varnish offers the windows begins to diminish, the wood can start to decay.
The lowest maintenance option, yet one of the most costly, is well-made aluminium windows. They require no painting, won’t fade and can composite, with a timber finish internally.