Cladding

What is cladding?

Cladding, also called exterior cladding, is an external covering that finishes and protects the facades, walls and low walls of houses and other buildings. It is a modern, decorative external facing that adds character, personality and comfort to your home, notably through insulation and the reduction of thermal bridges.

Exterior cladding is sometimes loosely called “exterior panelling”.

There are different types of wall cladding, depending on the material, profile, colour and style of finish you want. You can opt for modern exterior cladding in timber, composite, metal, PVC or fibre cement. You can also choose between tongue-and-groove, open-joint, overlap (shiplap or featheredge) or panel cladding.

Exterior cladding can be used on many different areas and types of facade: on a masonry wall, a timber or metal frame, or even on a metal facade or insulated panels.

 

Why use modern exterior cladding for a house facade?

Exterior cladding lets you renovate your house facade, give it an attractive, modern look, improve its thermal and acoustic insulation, and protect it from the weather, insects and fungi. In short, it gives you a facade that is both modern AND high-performance.

On WoodPartners, you will find a wide range of modern, decorative cladding products, suitable for all budgets and tastes. Browse our range of colours and materials, make your choice and bring your ideas to life.

 

Which materials for modern exterior cladding?

Modern exterior cladding comes in several materials, from budget to high-end, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Here are the main ones:

• Natural or treated timber: a natural, warm and attractive material that suits every style and comes in many species and colours. Timber is easy to work and install, is very widely used for facade cladding, and is prized for its natural, high-end look and longevity. It does, however, require regular maintenance with wood stain or paint to protect it from the weather, insects and fungi.
  
  
• Composite: composite imitates the look of wood but is made of wood fibres and plastic resins. It offers greater durability as facade cladding and needs less maintenance than natural timber. Thanks to its composition, it resists UV, insects and fungi, although it is not 100% rot-proof. It comes in several styles, such as open-joint, brise-soleil or smooth. It is a popular choice for a modern facade that stands the test of time, and for its value for money.
  
  
• PVC: a synthetic, lightweight and inexpensive material available in a wide range of colours and finishes, which makes it a good choice for facade cladding. It is easy to install and clean, and has a long service life. PVC cladding resists weather, UV and impact, which makes it a common choice in coastal areas, for example. However, it is less environmentally friendly than the previous two, as it is derived from petrochemicals and difficult to recycle.
  
  
• Resin: supplied as panels or facing tiles, resin gives the facade a modern, designer look. It resists weather, UV and impact, and is easy to install and clean. However, it is a more expensive cladding option than PVC or composite.
  
  
• Metal: supplied as boards or panels in steel, aluminium or zinc, this external facing gives the facade a contemporary, industrial look. It is highly resistant to weather (wind, rain, snow), UV and impact, and easy to install and clean. However, it is more expensive than PVC or composite and can be prone to corrosion. It remains an excellent choice for durability.

 

Exterior cladding or exterior panelling?

It’s the same thing! The term “exterior panelling” is often used for simplicity, but covering an exterior wall is in fact cladding; panelling (often timber) is reserved for interior walls and ceilings.

 

What is the price of cladding?

The price of cladding varies depending on the material, the quality, and the installation method. Timber cladding costs from €15 to €100/m², depending on the species (softwood, tropical hardwood, thermally modified timber). Composite or PVC cladding costs between €30 and €80/m², while metal or fibre cement cladding costs between €40 and €120/m². On top of this come installation costs if you use a professional, ranging from €40 to €100/m², depending on the complexity of the job.

Is a breather membrane required behind cladding?

A breather membrane is required in most cases, particularly for open-joint cladding or when the building is insulated externally. It protects the facade from water ingress and wind, while letting water vapour escape. However, for closed-joint cladding fixed to a wall that is already watertight, it may be optional. Refer to the applicable standards (French DTU 41.2) to ensure the work is durable.

 

When should you use cladding at home, and when not?

Whether to use exterior cladding on a home or any other building project depends on three things: do you want a painted finish, or something with texture, a variety of colours and visual effects? Is the area interior or exterior? Do you need a specific material or technology for your exterior wall (insulation, for example)?

Cladding is mainly used to finish the following areas:

• the facade of your house or building,
• the face or edge of your terrace,
• other exterior walls or low walls.

Some interior areas of the house can only be painted or finished with panelling:

• hallways,
• the side walls of the entrance hall,
• garage walls,
• utility room walls,
• certain bedroom walls,
• the kitchen,
• bathrooms,
• a wall in the dining room or living room,
• the chimney breast,
• the feature wall of bedrooms,
• the side wall of a staircase.

Get inspired on WoodPartners, the timber marketplace, and find the modern exterior cladding that will transform your facade! Don’t hesitate to call on one of our professionals!