If you are looking to update your property’s facade, check out our essential guide to sucessfully upgrading your home’s exterior

Stone’s Inalco MDi Silk Negro mineral cladding has been used to update the exterior of this 1940s home in West Sussex. The old timber boards, common for a property of this type, were removed and replaced with Inalco MDi in a similar slat format, to give the house a new look with a modern twist. The material’s low water absorption rate of less than 0.2% makes it ideal for outdoor environments as it won’t be impacted by frost and ice, while its UV resistance offers a colourfast surface that won’t fade over time

If you’re renovating your house and want to add a touch of wow factor, updating the cladding can offer you a wealth of benefits; it’s a straightforward way to completely alter your building’s aesthetics. There is no denying that upgrading your property’s cladding can give it a fresh appearance – especially if replacing outdated or worn finishings. The clean lines, vibrant colours and stylish textures available can instantly enhance a home’s visual appeal. “The external cladding of a house can be thought of as its clothes; it protects the building from the elements, can add warmth or improve cooling, and enables you to give the building an appealing aesthetic, whether that’s bright bold colours, subtle tones or minimal monotone,” says architect Alex Nikjoo of Nikjoo (www.nikjoo.co.uk).

The wide range of options that are available means you can choose a style that works to complement the architectural design of your home or align with your personal preferences. Whether you opt for a sleek metal finish, the warmth of timber, the classic appeal of brick slips, or the clean lines of fibre cement, updating the cladding can transform a drab building into something that impresses the neighbours. “New cladding can provide a face lift to a home, which can be a very effective method for renewing a tired looking facade.” says Paul Cashin, director at Paul Cashin Architects (www.paulcashin architects.co.uk). “With appropriate detailing of the right materials, the house will also benefit from improved weather protection and, in some cases, an upgrade on insulation levels.”