NEED TO KNOW TYPES OF CLADDING
The pros and cons of different material options when deciding which cladding to choose BRICKWORK Easy to maintain, exposed bricks are the most popular choice, but affect how their they’re look, made qualities will and price. Your bricklayer should discuss bonding patterns, mortar colours and joint details with you. BRICK SLIPS Brick slips are thin sections of genuine brick that can be used to give the appearance of a real brick wall. They are lighter and therefore don’t require the deep foundations of regular brick. TIMBER While timber needs more maintenance than stone or brickwork, it is cheaper. Hardwoods like oak and cedar can be left untreated to age and weather – for example, larch and western red cedar turn from an orange to a silvery grey within two years. FIBRE CEMENT WEATHERBOARDS Though it usually costs more than timber, composite weatherboarding is often pre-finished, will not warp or twist and is extremely fire resistant. It comes in a variety of colours and doesn’t require any maintenance. METAL Zinc, copper, corten steel or aluminium are ideal for modern builds, as they’re striking, malleable and lightweight. They’re also quick to put up and highly resilient. RENDER Render can create a smooth, textured or patterned finish, and comes in a wide range of colours. While stark white renders are less fashionable right now, earthy tones and greys are popular.
building, cladding will likely be a no-no straightaway,’ says Gareth. A non-listed building in a Conservation Area presents challenges, too. ‘If you were to introduce cladding that was at odds with the majority of buildings in that area, you might not get consent,’ he adds. ‘A lot of it is common sense. If you’ve got a nice row of Georgian houses, you wouldn’t clad one in zinc!’
‘In more and more cases, councils are introducing design guides, listing what they do and don’t like,’ says Gareth, who advises that you work with an architect familiar with local planning preferences. WHAT CLADDING IS BEST FOR MY HOME? ‘Your choice of materials and finish is crucial. Not just what they look like on day one, but how they age and weather over time, and the long-term maintenance required,’ says Ian Chapman.
‘More traditional cladding methods like brick and render have had a revival in recent years, with new technologies and more finishes offered than ever before,’ says HOKO’S Danny Campbell. ‘These finishes can look fantastic against existing buildings and can either blend in or contrast with the existing building.’
‘We usually encourage people to embrace a contrast and use a new material, and we love to explore the details and junctions which allow the new to sit effortlessly next to the old.’