Horizontal timber boards are a popular cladding choice – but what if you want to do something a bit different? Lindsay Blair looks at the ways you could add a bit of extra wow factor to your home’s exterior

Weathered Siberian larch cladding makes a statement in this project, designed by Millar + Howard Workshop (www. mhworkshop. co.uk). To add interest, cladding boards of different sizes and laying patterns were used, and a slatted larch screen was installed over the upstairs bathroom window for privacy

CHARLOTTE FERRIER

It’s wise to think about your cladding choice from the outset of a project to ensure you can fully consider its relation to windows, doors and the size of walls. Do you want it to stand out or create an architectural feature? Or does the house need to blend into the landscape? The geographical location is vital as not all materials will be suitable: less durable options will not work in waterside locations, while areas with high sun exposure could impact appearance over time.

Brick, stone and composite options are the easiest to maintain, but if you embrace the natural patina of wood and metal cladding, these can be low-effort options, too. “Cladding simplicity dictates maintenance,” says Teoman Ayas, director of MIM Studios. “Monolithic types, such as rendered blockwork or exposed brick, require low upkeep, whereas metal cladding with many joints, fixtures and crevasses demands more attention.”

How will your cladding be attached to your property? “Anything fixed will require the building is strong enough to support the weight of what you are putting on it,” says Julie-Ann Clements, director of InEx Design. Face fixing will result in being able to see the nails or attachments, while secret fix methods are more discreet but usually more expensive. “Also think about the lifespan of your product, the work involved to replace it and whether it can be recycled.”