Cladding is the term for any material applied to the outside of a building's external wall to provide weather protection, improve the building's thermal or acoustic performance, or enhance its visual appearance. The cladding is applied over the structural wall rather than being the structural element itself, which distinguishes it from load-bearing masonry.

Types of Cladding

Cladding materials used in UK residential construction include a wide range of options. Timber cladding, whether featheredge boards, shiplap, or square-edged profiles in natural or treated softwood and hardwood, provides a natural appearance popular in contemporary and rural architectural styles. Composite cladding, made from a blend of wood fibre and recycled plastic, replicates the appearance of timber with lower maintenance requirements. Brick slip cladding uses thin brick-faced tiles to provide a traditional brick appearance over a non-masonry substrate. Fibre cement boards in various textures and profiles are durable and fire-resistant. Metal cladding in aluminium or steel is used primarily in commercial and industrial buildings but increasingly in contemporary residential design. Render systems, including traditional wet renders and dry External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems, provide a smooth or textured finish over the structural wall.

Why Cladding Is Used

Cladding is applied for several reasons. On timber-framed buildings, cladding is the external weathering layer that protects the structural frame from rain exposure. On existing masonry buildings, cladding may be applied as part of a refurbishment to improve thermal performance through an External Wall Insulation system, to replace failing render, or to update the appearance. On buildings with an unusual substrate such as lightweight steel frame or concrete panel, cladding provides the durable, weather-resistant external face.

Fire Safety Considerations

Cladding fire safety became a major public concern following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which revealed that certain types of combustible cladding systems on high-rise residential buildings could spread fire rapidly with catastrophic results. The use of non-combustible cladding materials on buildings above specified heights is now required, and a major programme of cladding remediation has been underway since 2017. These requirements apply specifically to multi-storey residential buildings and are not directly applicable to standard low-rise residential properties, though fire performance of cladding materials is always a relevant consideration.

Summary

Cladding is an external covering applied over the structural wall for weather protection, thermal improvement, or aesthetic purposes. Common materials include timber, composite, brick slips, fibre cement, metal, and render. Fire safety requirements for combustible cladding on high-rise residential buildings became much stricter following the Grenfell Tower fire. Planning permission is required for cladding in conservation areas where it would otherwise be permitted development.