Cambridge Roofers installs exterior cladding in Cottenham and keeps homeowners informed about the simple aftercare that protects their investment for years after the job is done.
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Exterior cladding is a protective and decorative outer layer fixed to the walls of a building. The most common materials used on residential properties are timber boarding, composite planks, fibre cement, and metal panels. Each system is fixed over a breather membrane and ventilated batten framework that sits against the existing wall face, creating an air gap that allows any moisture to drain away and the wall to breathe.
In addition to improving the appearance of the property, cladding adds a meaningful layer of weather protection. Where external wall insulation is installed behind the battens at the same time, the thermal performance of the wall improves significantly - a combination that is increasingly popular on properties where the existing walls are uninsulated solid masonry.
Supply-and-fit costs for timber cladding in the UK typically run from around £80 to £150 per square metre depending on the species and board profile. Composite and fibre cement systems generally sit between £120 and £200 per square metre installed. These figures depend on access requirements, substrate condition, and what trims and junctions are involved.
A cladding system is not maintenance-free simply because it has been installed correctly. The quality of the original installation sets the ceiling for how long the system will last, but what the homeowner does in the years that follow determines whether it actually reaches that ceiling. Neglected cladding fails early; cladded that is looked after properly can last decades.
This page focuses on what to do after the work is complete, because that is where most homeowners receive the least guidance.
Timber cladding requires more active maintenance than composite or metal systems, but the tasks themselves are straightforward. The key is doing them on schedule rather than waiting until something looks obviously wrong.
Cleaning: Wash timber cladding once a year with a soft brush and warm soapy water or a purpose-made wood cleaner. High-pressure jet washing should be avoided - it forces water into joints and can raise the grain of the timber. A garden hose with a brush attachment is adequate for most surfaces.
Treating and painting: Pre-treated boards still need a fresh coat of stain, oil, or paint on a cycle that depends on the product and the exposure of the wall. As a general rule, south-facing and west-facing elevations need attention more frequently than sheltered north-facing walls, because UV light and driving rain do the most damage. Most exterior timber stains and paints need reapplying every three to five years. Check the specific manufacturer's guidance for the product used on your boards and note the first recommended reapplication date.
Checking joints and fixings: At least once a year, walk around the cladded elevation and look at the mastic-filled joints around windows, at corners, and at the foot of the wall. Mastic sealant can crack and pull away from the substrate after a few years. Where it does, water enters behind the boards and the real damage begins invisibly. Small gaps in mastic are easy to rework with a tube of exterior-grade sealant; leaving them is not.
Composite cladding boards do not need painting, and they do not rot in the same way as untreated timber. However, they still need periodic cleaning to remove dirt, algae, and staining that builds up over time, particularly on north-facing elevations and in sheltered corners where moisture lingers.
Wash composite boards once or twice a year with warm soapy water. Most composite manufacturers recommend against high-pressure washing at close range, as it can damage the surface coating. Check fixings and trims periodically, particularly at ground level and at any junction where dissimilar materials meet.
Fibre cement planks are among the most durable cladding materials available and need very little done to them once installed. They will not rot, and they are not affected by insect activity. The main maintenance task is keeping the painted or factory-finished surface in good condition. Fibre cement boards are usually factory-primed and then painted on site during installation. The paint coat will need refreshing over time - typically every eight to twelve years for a quality exterior masonry paint, though this varies with exposure.
Inspect the caulked joints around windows and at board ends annually. Fibre cement is a rigid material and does not flex the way timber does, so sealant at junctions can crack if the substrate moves slightly. Any cracking should be cleaned out and resealed promptly.
One of the most damaging things for cladding at the base of a wall is soil or mulch heaped against the boards. Even pressure-treated timber will decay if it is in prolonged contact with wet soil. The base of the cladding should sit at least 150 millimetres above finished ground level, and that gap should be kept clear of soil, gravel that has migrated over time, or leaf debris that compacts and stays wet.
If garden beds are close to the wall, check annually that the soil level has not risen against the boards. This is a common problem and an easy one to fix before it causes rot at the foot of the elevation.
A visual check by the homeowner each year will catch most obvious problems. Every three to five years, it is worth having the elevation looked at by someone who can check behind the boards in any areas that look suspicious. Signs that should prompt a call sooner include:
Catching a localised problem early - a failed sealant joint, a corroded fixing, a damaged board - means the repair stays small and inexpensive. Waiting until the problem is visible across a wide area usually means the damage has already spread behind the boards.
If the soffits, fascias, or bargeboards were replaced as part of the cladding project, include them in the same annual inspection routine. uPVC boards need only a wipe-down with soapy water. Timber versions need the same treatment cycle as the cladding itself. Check that ventilation slots in soffits are not blocked by wasp nests or insulation that has been pushed into the eaves.
Cambridge Roofers carries out cladding installations and repairs across Cottenham and the surrounding area, including the villages nearby. If the cladding on your property needs attention, or if you want an annual inspection to catch problems before they develop, call us to arrange a visit.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
