Cambridge Roofers installs exterior cladding for homeowners in Sawston and explains exactly how to look after it once the work is done.
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Exterior cladding is the outer protective layer fixed to a building's walls. It handles rain, wind, and frost day in and day out, which means it needs occasional attention to perform properly over its full lifespan. Timber, composite, fibre cement, and metal systems all work in different ways and have different maintenance requirements - but all of them benefit from regular checks and timely minor repairs.
The cost of routine maintenance is small compared to what a full replacement costs. A neglected cladding system that could have lasted 30 years might need replacing in 12 to 15 if basic upkeep is ignored. Understanding what to look for, and when to act, is the most practical thing a homeowner can do after a cladding installation.
Timber is also the material that needs the most regular attention. Treated softwood featheredge boarding will typically last 25 to 30 years when maintained, but that lifespan depends on keeping the surface coating in good condition.
The surface coating - whether paint, stain, or oil - is the first line of defence. When it starts to crack, peel, or fade, bare timber is exposed to moisture. Moisture in timber leads to movement, splitting, and eventually rot. Recoating the surface while it is still largely intact is far cheaper than replacing boards that have rotted through.
As a general rule, painted timber cladding should be inspected every two years and recoated when the surface shows signs of deterioration - typically every five to eight years depending on the quality of the coating and the exposure of that elevation. South-facing or exposed elevations may need more frequent attention than sheltered ones.
Green algae and black mould growth is a common problem on north-facing or shaded elevations where sunlight and air movement are limited. Left untreated, it holds moisture against the surface of the boards and accelerates deterioration. An annual wash-down with a dilute biocide solution is enough to keep growth under control. A soft brush or low-pressure garden hose is fine - a high-pressure jet wash at close range can drive water behind boards and damage surface coatings, so avoid it.
Composite and fibre cement boards are less prone to algae than bare timber, but they still benefit from an annual clean. Metal cladding panels should be rinsed down to remove salt deposits and airborne grime, particularly on panels with a factory-applied coating.
A quick walk around the building once a year - ideally in autumn before winter sets in - takes 20 minutes and can save a significant amount of money. Look at these specific things:
Small problems with cladding rarely stay small if they are ignored. A single board with a split along the grain is letting water into the gap behind it every time it rains. Water sitting behind cladding boards in a poorly ventilated cavity will eventually wet the breathable membrane and, if the membrane has deteriorated, the wall behind it.
A single replacement board on a painted timber system typically costs £100 to £300 to supply and fit, depending on access and the profile of the board. That is a minor job. The same issue left for three winters becomes rot in the batten behind it, damage to adjacent boards, and potentially a section replacement costing several times more.
Sealant around window reveals and at corner trims should also be checked. Exterior sealant has a finite life - typically 10 to 15 years before it becomes brittle, pulls away from one surface, or cracks. When it fails, it opens a water path directly behind the boards at the most vulnerable point of the installation.
Different cladding materials need different levels of attention. A rough guide:
Most modern cladding installations include a ventilated cavity between the insulation or wall surface and the back of the boards. This cavity allows any moisture that gets behind the boards to dry out rather than accumulate. If the ventilation gaps at the top and bottom of the system become blocked - by debris, by paint bridging the gap, or by incorrectly fitted trims - the cavity stops ventilating and damp problems follow. Keeping these gaps clear is a simple maintenance task that is easy to overlook.
Some maintenance tasks - cleaning, repainting boards at ground level, clearing gutters - are straightforward for a homeowner. Others need a professional. Anything involving working at height above a single storey, repairing flashings, replacing boards in a specific system, or investigating damp penetration behind the boards should be done by someone with the right equipment and experience. Attempting to lever boards off a properly fixed system without knowing the fixing detail can cause more damage than the original problem.
If you are in Sawston or nearby and you notice something during your annual check that concerns you, Cambridge Roofers can carry out a proper inspection and give you a clear picture of what needs doing and what can wait. Call us to arrange a visit before a small problem gets a chance to become a large one.
If you are thinking about new cladding rather than maintenance on an existing system, Cambridge Roofers fits timber, composite, fibre cement, and metal systems to suit the property and the budget. The same range of materials and installation approaches applies across the area.
Typical installation costs run from around £50 per square metre for treated softwood timber through to £180 or more per square metre for fibre cement or metal systems, installed. Insulation added within the build-up increases the cost but reduces ongoing heating bills. Getting a site survey is the only way to get a price that reflects your specific property.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
