House cladding guide: Which material is right for your home?

contemporary house with horizontal timber cladding
(Image credit: Jonathan Gooch)

The house cladding you select to grace the exterior of your home will, largely, dictate its whole appearance — so make sure you are aware not only of what your choice of material will look like once installed, but also how it will weather over time and how much maintenance will be required to keep it looking its best. 

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to cladding a house – while timber cladding might be the first thing that springs to mind, everything from metal to tile is possible. Your final decision should be based on what materials are typically used in the local area (your planning department may even have something to say about this), your home's construction as well as your budget.

Natasha Brinsmead

Natasha is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and has been a member of the team for over two decades. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she has written for a number of homes titles. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project. She is now looking for her next project — something which is proving far harder than she thought it would be.