Exterior Cladding in Great Dunmow

Expert Exterior Cladding
in Great Dunmow

What exterior cladding does and why it matters

Exterior cladding sits over your wall structure and takes the full force of driving rain, frost and sun so the wall behind it does not have to. It also changes how a building looks, which is why it is often the first thing homeowners turn to when an extension looks out of place or a dormer looks tired and weathered.

We fit and repair three main types: timber, fibre cement and composite. Each suits different situations, budgets and aesthetic preferences. Getting the right material for your home matters more than most people realise before they start.

The three cladding materials - and what each one actually means for your home

Timber cladding (featheredge, shiplap or square-edged boards) gives a natural finish that weathers well when it is treated and maintained. It needs repainting or re-staining every few years, but the boards can be replaced individually if one section rots rather than having to strip the whole elevation.

Fibre cement cladding is made from cement, sand and cellulose fibre. It does not rot, does not burn easily and holds its shape in damp conditions. It is heavier than timber, so fixings and the substrate behind it need to be appropriate. Many homeowners choose it for dormers and gable ends because it requires less ongoing maintenance.

Composite cladding uses a mix of wood fibre and plastic. It resists moisture and does not need painting. Colour is stable for many years under normal conditions. The trade-off is that it costs more upfront than timber, and if it is damaged it can be harder to colour-match to the original batch.

How to choose a cladding contractor - the questions worth asking first

This is the part most homeowners skip, and it is the part that makes the biggest difference to what you end up with. Choosing a contractor purely on price is the single most common reason cladding jobs go wrong - not because cheap work is always bad, but because a low price often means corners are cut on battening, flashing, fixings or the drainage gap behind the boards.

Before you agree to anything, here is what to ask any contractor you are considering:

• Will you use a ventilated cavity behind the cladding? A drainage and ventilation gap between the cladding and the wall is standard practice. Without it, moisture gets trapped and the wall behind can suffer. Any contractor who dismisses this question, or says it is not needed, is a warning sign.
• What fixings are you using, and are they stainless or galvanised? Standard steel fixings corrode behind cladding within a few years and leave rust staining down the boards. Stainless or hot-dip galvanised fixings cost a little more and last far longer.
• How will you handle the junctions - around windows, at the soffit line, at external corners? These are the spots where water most often finds a way in. The answer should involve lead or aluminium flashing, or purpose-made trim for the material being used. Silicone alone at a junction is not a long-term solution.
• Can I see an example of a finished job? A contractor with experience fitting cladding should be able to show you completed work, either nearby or in photos. Look at how the boards align at corners, how window reveals are finished and whether the reveal depths are consistent.
• What preparation do you do before fitting? Good preparation includes checking the existing wall for damp, rot or movement, and treating or remedying any issues before the new cladding goes on. Cladding fitted over a damp wall traps the problem rather than solving it.
• Who is responsible if something goes wrong after installation? Clarify whether you are dealing with the firm directly, or a subcontractor arrangement. Knowing who to call back is important.

What a written quote should include

Ask for a written quote, not just a verbal price. A proper quote should list the material type, the board profile and thickness, the fixing specification, whether scaffolding or access equipment is included, how the waste is being disposed of, and the total price broken down so you can see what you are paying for. If a quote does not include these details, ask for them in writing before you sign anything.

Getting two or three quotes is sensible for any cladding job. When you compare them, look at what is included rather than just the bottom-line figure. A quote that does not mention battening, a ventilation gap or corner trim may look cheaper, but you will be paying for those things one way or another - either upfront or in repair costs later.

What the installation process involves

A straightforward cladding job on an extension or gable end usually starts with stripping the old material if there is any, inspecting the substrate underneath, and fitting horizontal timber battens at the right spacing for the board size being used. The battens create the ventilation cavity and give the fixings something solid to bite into.

Boards are then fixed in sequence from the bottom up, with each board lapping or interlocking with the one above it depending on the profile. Window and door reveals are trimmed and flashed as the work progresses, not as an afterthought at the end. The job finishes with any necessary painting or treatment if the boards require it, and a check that all junctions are sealed correctly.

For most homes, a single elevation on an extension or a pair of dormers can be completed in two to three days once materials are on site. Larger or more complex jobs take longer, especially if scaffolding has to be erected and struck separately.

Typical costs for exterior cladding

Exterior cladding on a typical UK home costs roughly £80 to £150 per square metre installed, depending on the material and the complexity of the job. Timber at the simpler end of the range, composite at the higher end. Fibre cement typically sits in the middle. These figures include materials and labour but not scaffolding if that is needed separately. A dormer re-clad in fibre cement boards might cost £600 to £1,500 depending on size.

Be cautious of prices significantly below this range. It is not impossible to come in lower with straightforward access and simple boarding, but if the price looks too good it is worth asking specifically what has been left out.

We cover Great Dunmow and the surrounding area

We work from our base in Haverhill and cover Great Dunmow along with neighbouring towns including Saffron Walden, Halstead and Braintree. If you want a straight conversation about what your cladding needs and what it is likely to cost, call us and we will talk it through before anything is agreed.