A Comprehensive Guide to Exterior Architectural Cladding

Whether you’re looking for a consistent and attractive exterior, weather protection, energy efficiency, or more, exterior architectural cladding is a fantastic solution across domestic and commercial projects. Our helpful guide covers everything you need to know, across uses, material options, and benefits.

Wood architectural cladding

What Is Architectural Cladding?

Architectural cladding is a protective and decorative layer added to the exterior of buildings. It serves two main purposes: improving a building’s appearance and offering protection from weather conditions, but it offers a wide range of other benefits too. Cladding comes in various materials such as timber, metal, stone, brick, and more, each offering different styles and performance. Through considerate design and material choices, architectural cladding can combine fantastic aesthetics with enhanced performance to produce an attractive, efficient building.

Where Is It Used?

Architectural cladding is important in building projects large and small. It is commonly used on commercial buildings, residential housing, healthcare buildings, renovations, and any structure you want to have a specific identity and functionality.

Exterior Cladding in Home Improvement Projects

For DIY home improvement projects, cladding is an excellent choice when working on extensions, garden offices, outhouses, or garages. It’s also widely used in property renovations, and you might consider adding exterior cladding to your home if you want to update the look of your property and enhance its energy efficiency.

Timber clad garage

Popular Materials Used For Architectural Cladding

Architectural cladding comes in various materials, each offering unique benefits in terms of performance and style. For UK homes, timber, stone, and brick are the most common choices of cladding, but more modern properties or bigger commercial buildings often use glass, metal, and vinyl.

Timber: Exterior timber cladding offers a natural, warm aesthetic and is a popular choice for both traditional and modern designs. When treated properly, it provides durability and insulation, though it will need occasional cleaning and maintenance to protect against weathering over time.
Stone: Stone cladding is both durable and highly resistant to weathering. Perfect for both modern and traditional architectural styles, though it can be more expensive and difficult to install.
Brick: Classic and reliable, brick cladding offers a solid, traditional look with excellent thermal insulation. It’s low-maintenance and highly durable.
uPVC: Lightweight, cost-effective, and low-maintenance, uPVC cladding is popular for modern builds. It resists moisture and doesn’t require painting, making it a practical, cost-effective choice.
Metal: Sleek and industrial, metal cladding offers a modern, minimalist look. It’s highly durable and often used in commercial buildings.
Glass: Provides a sleek, contemporary finish with excellent light reflection and energy efficiency. Ideal for modern architectural designs.
Terracotta: For a warm, natural look, the earthy tone of terracotta is a beautiful choice. It offers natural insulation and is very durable.

The Benefits of Architectural Cladding

Exterior cladding can offer a wide range of benefits to a building, such as:

Weather Protection

A key benefit of architectural cladding is the protection it provides against weather. It shields buildings from rain, wind, and UV rays, helping to prevent long-term damage. This added layer safeguards the structure, reducing the effects of weathering and extending the building’s lifespan.

Energy Efficiency

Adding cladding boosts energy efficiency by improving insulation. It helps to regulate indoor temperatures, keeping heat in during winter and out during summer. This reduces the need for excessive heating or cooling, which can lower energy bills and create a more sustainable environment.

Aesthetic

Cladding dramatically enhances the visual appeal of a building, offering countless design options. Whether you want a sleek modern look or a traditional, rustic finish, it allows you to transform the exterior and get creative.

Moisture

Properly installed cladding acts as a barrier against moisture, preventing water infiltration that can lead to dampness, mould, and structural issues. By keeping water out, it helps protect the building from long-term damage, maintaining both the appearance and integrity of the property.

Structural

Architectural cladding can improve a building’s structural stability. It reinforces weak spots, such as joints and corners, offering additional support. This is particularly beneficial in areas exposed to harsh environmental conditions, like high winds, ensuring the structure remains secure and robust.

Exterior Cladding Maintenance

Many architectural cladding materials require minimal maintenance, but the level of upkeep depends on the material chosen. For example, timber cladding, when properly treated, is relatively low-maintenance but does need occasional cleaning and restaining due to weather exposure. Over time, UV rays, rain, and wind can wear the finish, so regular care helps maintain its appearance. Other materials like metal or uPVC are even lower maintenance, requiring little more than periodic cleaning to keep them in good condition.

How Sustainable is Architectural Cladding?

The sustainability of the cladding will depend on the material chosen. When choosing the right material consider how long it will last, if it can be recycled, and where it has been sourced. When it comes to timber cladding, consider the quality of the wood and if it has been sourced from managed forests. The improved thermal properties of the building will help to reduce energy consumption.

Do You Need Planning Permission For Exterior Cladding?

In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to add external cladding to your home, unless it’s a listed building. However, it’s always best to check with your local council first.

Find Quality Timber Cladding For Your Next Project

At Covers Builders Merchants, we have an extensive range of top-quality timber cladding. Some of our best cladding products include:

Explore our collection and find the right timber cladding for your next project. If you need any help or advice, contact us or speak to our helpful team at any of our Covers depots.

As a family-run business, we prioritise quality and customer care, so you know you’re getting the best materials and service. With over 175 years of industry experience, we can help you with all your timber and building needs. Find your nearest Covers depot now.