BUILD COST CLINIC
EXTERNAL CLADDING: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Whether it’s timber, render, stone or composite — the cladding you choose will have an impact on budget and aesthetics
IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES
TIM PHILLIPS Is a quantity surveyor with almost 30 years of experience across the commercial and residential construction sector. @timphillips71
Cladding is a term used for the process of adding a layer to the outside of a building. It can greatly enhance the appearance of your home and also provide valuable functional purposes — such as protecting your home from the adverse effects of weather and improving insulation. Types of cladding include timber, uPVC, stone, brick, render, composite, fibre cement, metal and tiling. We’ll look at the various costs involved, together with the factors that influence those costs and any potential issues that can impact costs in the longer term.
THE GOING RATES
There are a multitude of different cladding materials and products on the market, with a variety of different qualities, installation methods and costs. The most common materials and average costs are set out in the table (below left) as a guide.
Once you’ve chosen a material type, there’s still a wide range of cost options to consider. You can get a basic cement render from around £10/m2, but expect to pay £30-£60/m2 for monocouche render and £40-70/m2 for the latest self-coloured silicon versions such as K-Rend or Parex.
Timber costs are equally variable – according to the wood and profile selected – with larch from £15 to £30/m2, western red cedar from £20 to £50/m2 and oak from £25 to £60/m2. Thermally modified woods (such as Thermowood) can offer good value for money at around £45/m2. They are generally cheaper than most hardwoods but have been heat treated to reduce moisture content, improve longevity, stability and resistance to rot etc.