House Cladding White-le-Head

In the past, external cladding materials were limited in terms of style, durability and availability. They were often expensive, inferior, and not always very attractive!

These days, however, there's a fantastic range of cladding options, opening up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to enhancing and improving the exterior walls of your White-le-Head home. In addition to an increased range of styles, colours and textures, modern innovations have produced more robust and durable cladding materials, making this option a fantastic investment.

If you're considering external wall cladding for your property, then this is the perfect place to start...

While our main focus is providing professional house rendering services, we are also experts at installing house cladding. Often, the two skills are combined, with stunning results!

In our experience, the main difficulty seems to be choosing which cladding type you want, as each example offers its own appeal and advantages.

Here's a list of the types of external house cladding we provide in White-le-Head, along with a brief description to help you decide.

We offer a great range of different cladding options, including the following examples:

Brick Cladding 

Made from real brick slips, this attractive cladding offers a timeless and popular option for house exteriors. 

Benefits 

• Durability - Resists weathering, lasting for generations with minimal upkeep. Impervious to rot, insect damage, and fire. 
• Weather Resistance - Withstands extreme temperatures, heavy rain, and strong winds without deteriorating. 
• Excellent Insulation - Provides superior thermal insulation, regulating indoor temperatures and potentially reducing energy bills. 
• Versatility and Style - Wide range of colours, textures, and styles to complement any architectural design. Laying patterns like herringbone or soldier courses add a unique touch and a traditional aesthetic.

Stone Cladding 

Real stone cladding offers a natural and luxurious aesthetic to any outer wall, with exceptional weather resistance and durability. Options include granite and sandstone. 

Benefits 

• Natural Beauty - Provides a unique and elegant look with natural variations in colour and texture, enhancing curb appeal and creating a connection to the natural world. 
• Exceptional Durability - Withstands harsh weather conditions for centuries. Resistant to rot, fire, and insect damage. 
• Minimal Maintenance - Easy to look after; occasional cleaning with a damp cloth or mild detergent is sufficient. 
• Fire Resistance - Offers excellent fire protection for added safety.  

Slate Cladding

Slate cladding offers a natural and elegant look for your house exterior. Its unique variations in colour and texture add a touch of character and sophistication that complements various architectural styles. 

Benefits

• Exceptional Longevity - Slate is incredibly durable, lasting for centuries with minimal maintenance. It's highly resistant to harsh weather conditions like rain, wind, and frost, making it a perfect choice for the unpredictable GB climate. 
• Impervious to the Elements - Slate is naturally water-resistant and doesn't absorb moisture. This makes it resistant to rot, mould, and frost damage.
• Low Upkeep - Unlike timber cladding which needs regular repainting, slate requires virtually no maintenance. Occasional cleaning with a damp cloth or mild detergent is sufficient to keep it looking its best. 
• Fire Resistant -  Slate offers excellent fire protection, providing an extra layer of safety for your home. 
• Energy Efficiency - Slate's natural thermal properties can help regulate indoor temperatures, potentially reducing your energy bills. 

Eco-Friendly Choice - Slate is a natural and sustainable material, making it a good option for environmentally conscious homeowners.

Timber Cladding 

Wood cladding provides a warm and natural look, with good insulating properties. It's available in various profiles and can be treated for weather resistance. Popular options include cedar, spruce, and Siberian larch. 

Benefits 

• Warm and Natural Aesthetic - Installing timber cladding creates a sense of warmth and connection with nature. 
• Excellent Insulation - Offers good thermal insulation properties, helping to regulate indoor temperatures. 
• Variety of Choices - Available in various timber types, finishes and treatments to suit your design preferences. 

Wood-Effect Cladding

Effectively, this is uPVC cladding designed to imitate the appearance of wood. This cladding boasts a vibrant personality with a wide range of colours and textures to choose from. Its built-in UV resistance, thanks to a titanium dioxide shield, keeps it looking fresh for years to come. Simply install it and enjoy the lasting kerb appeal!

Metal Cladding 

Metal cladding offers a sleek, contemporary aesthetic and excellent durability. Steel, zinc, and aluminium cladding are popular choices due to their lightweight properties, as well as being weatherproof and low maintenance. Many of these metal exterior cladding examples can be painted in various colours and even fabricated to resemble other materials like wood. 

Benefits 

• Sleek and Contemporary Design - Creates a modern and stylish look for your property. 
• Durability - Highly resistant to weathering, lasting for many years with minimal care. 
• Lightweight - Easy to install and doesn't put a strain on the building structure. 
• Weatherproof - Resists rot, moisture, and insect damage. 

Design Flexibility - Available in a wide range of colours and can even mimic the appearance of other materials. 

PVC Cladding 

Also known as plastic cladding or vinyl cladding, this is a low-maintenance option. It is lightweight, easy to install, and available in a wide range of colours.

Benefits 

• Low Maintenance - Requires minimal care, occasional cleaning with soap and water is sufficient. 
• Highly durable - This material won't crack or warp, and can last for up to 100 years!
• Lightweight alternative - Easy to install and doesn't put a strain on the building structure. 
• Weatherproof - Resistant to rot, moisture, and insect damage. 
• Wide Colour Range - Available in a vast array of colours to suit any design preference. 

Fibre Cement Cladding 

Fibre cement boards are made from a blend of cement, cellulose fibres (wood pulp), sand, and water. They resemble natural materials like wood or stone but are more durable and require less maintenance.  

Benefits 

• Durable and Versatile - Fibre cement cladding offers the aesthetics of natural materials with greater durability and lower maintenance needs. It is also fire-resistant and weatherproof, making it an excellent, cost-effective option.
• Low Maintenance - Requires minimal maintenance compared to timber cladding, although it may need repainting after a while, depending on the product. 

Composite Cladding 

Composite cladding, a combination of wood fibres and plastic polymers, offers the aesthetics of natural timber with lower maintenance requirements. This composite material is resistant to rot, moisture, and insect damage. 

Benefits 

• Low Maintenance - Similar to vinyl cladding, requires very little effort to maintain. 
• Durability - More resistant to warping, cracking, and fading compared to timber. 
• Rot and Insect Resistant - Inherits the weather resistance properties of plastic. 
• Wood-like Appearance - Offers a natural aesthetic similar to timber cladding. 
• Wide Range of Styles - Available in various colours and finishes to suit your design preferences.  

Glass Cladding 

Made from toughened safety glass panels, glass cladding offers a modern, high-end look for your property. 

Benefits 

• Modern and Stylish Design - Creates a sleek finish with a contemporary aesthetic, maximising natural light for a spacious feel. 
• Natural Light Penetration - Allows ample natural light to flood into the building, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness and potentially reducing reliance on artificial lighting. 
• Durability - Glass cladding is strong and weatherproof, withstanding harsh weather conditions. 

If you are interested in any of these types of house cladding materials, contact us for more details and professional advice.

While this comes down to personal preference, to some extent, there are other factors to consider, such as:

• The building type and age
• The local climate and environmental conditions
• Your budget
• Your desired style

Traditional materials, like natural stone cladding and brick slips, look great and offer rustic appeal, although many of our clients prefer modern synthetic materials.

We've listed some of the more popular types of house cladding materials above, along with their best qualities. When you contact us, we will discuss the best option for your individual circumstances.

Prices will vary depending on the cladding materials you choose and the amount of cladding required for the project. You also need to consider material and labour costs, as well as any other cost factors such as scaffolding (if required), waste disposal and building regulations.

Even so, we can provide a rough estimate per square metre to give you an idea of the cost:

• Brick Cladding £100-£200+ per m² 
• Stone Cladding £150-£400+ per m² 
• Timber Cladding £40-£120+ per m² 
• Metal Cladding £50-£150+ per m² 
• uPVC Cladding £20-£50 per m² 
• Fibre Cement Cladding £50-£80+ per m² 
• Composite Cladding £40-£80+ per m² 
• Glass Cladding £150-£400+ per m² 
• Slate Cladding £100-£200+ per m² 

However, for an accurate costing, call our helpful team and they will be pleased to advise you!

On average, a typical house cladding project in White-le-Head will take the Render Hero team between two and five days to complete.

Please note that some cladding types require different fixing methods, such as a framework of timber battens attached to the external walls. This can significantly increase the cladding installation time.

Generally speaking, house cladding falls under your 'Permitted Development rights'. These rights allow you to carry out building and repair works without seeking planning permission from your local authority in White-le-Head. 

However, there are exceptions to these rules that you need to be aware of: 

First, PD rights typically apply to houses, not flats or maisonettes. 

Property Location 

You likely won't need permission if your house is in a typical residential area. But if your property is in a special location, such as a:

• Conservation Area 
• National Park 
• Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 
• The Norfolk Broads 

Then you'll need to apply for planning permission before cladding your house. 

Listed buildings are also covered by strict regulations, so you'll need to contact the local planning office for details.

Material changes 

Permitted Development rights usually allow cladding that uses materials similar in appearance to those already on your house. So, replacing brick with brick cladding likely wouldn't require permission. But significantly altering the look of your house with a different material might. 

Local Authority Restrictions 

Even in normal residential areas, your local council may have restrictions on cladding through 'Article 4 directions'. It's always best to check with your local planning authority to discover whether you need permission for your specific project. 

In addition, common courtesy dictates that you should advise the owners of neighbouring properties if you live in a terraced or semi-detached house.

You might also want to advise your structural insurance provider in case they have any stipulations as to the types of house cladding materials allowed under the terms and conditions.

If you plan to add cladding or render to your property, you might want to consider external wall insulation for extra protection.

While most houses in White-le-Head constructed after 1990 should be insulated relatively well, properties built before this could suffer from problems with damp, condensation and mould, due to inferior methods and materials.

Also, many houses constructed before 1920 had solid walls rather than two walls with a cavity in between.

EWI is essentially a coat for the outer leaf of your house walls. It's a layer of insulating material applied to the outside of your existing walls, creating a thermal barrier that keeps your home comfortable and saves you money. 

Here's why EWI can be a great idea for your house: 

• Reduced Energy Bills. Without insulation, heat escapes quickly, requiring you to constantly turn up the heating to stay warm. EWI acts like a thick blanket, trapping the heat inside and reducing the energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. This can significantly lower your heating bills, especially during the colder months. 
• Improved Comfort. EWI doesn't just save money, it also makes your home more comfortable to live in. By preventing heat from escaping through the walls, EWI helps maintain a more consistent and comfortable temperature throughout the house. No more drafty corners or feeling chilly even with the heating on! 
• Reduced Noise Pollution. EWI can act as a sound barrier, muffling outside noise and creating a quieter living environment. This can be particularly beneficial if you live in a busy area. 
• Increased Property Value. Potential buyers often consider a well-insulated home more energy-efficient and desirable. Investing in EWI can potentially increase the value of your property in the long run. 

Reduced Carbon Footprint. EWI helps you reduce your carbon footprint by using less energy for heating. This is good for the environment and contributes to a more sustainable future.

Breathe new life into your property with Render Hero's professional house cladding service. We offer a wide range of high-quality cladding materials to suit your style and budget, from sleek modern panels to timeless brickwork.

Whether it's a self-build project, a contemporary extension, or an upgrade to your existing home, our expert team will ensure a flawless installation, transforming your home's exterior and boosting its thermal performance.

Not only will you benefit from increased energy efficiency and weather resistance, but a beautiful new facade with a stunning decorative finish will add lasting kerb appeal to your property. Contact Render Hero today for a free quote and discover the perfect cladding solution for your home.