Timber Cladding Costs

Want to know how much it costs to have timber cladding fitted to your house?

In this guide, we're going to explore everything you need to know about timber cladding costs, the different types of cladding available and all the costs associated with these types of jobs.

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How Much Does Timber Cladding Cost?

Including an exterior wall cladding your house, bungalow, office, and garden room is a simple way to update the look of your home. Wall Cladding is available in various materials and styles, with each cladding material offering unique benefits and total material costs and installation.

Adding timber cladding to a house will transform its appearance and feel while also guarding the underlying structural walls and acting as insulation. When installing timber cladding in your home, you want to make sure you're getting a good deal. We'll go over the various cladding costs here, so you know what to expect.

The cost of cladding a building varies depending on the material used, the type of installation required (for example, the boards be fixed in tongue and groove or feather board method), and the size of your home.

The size of your property and the shape of the structure you want to clad will contribute to your Cladding project's overall cost. For example, compared to a five-bed detached house, adding Wall Cladding to a narrow shed at the bottom of your garden will be significantly less expensive.

There are numerous external cladding supplies on the market, each with its installation method, properties, and price; therefore, they differ. Complicated house design will also enhance the amount of work required to clad a property in timber, making it more expensive than a more basic shaped one-story property.

Oak, larch, and red cedar are the most popular types of timber cladding. Oak timber cladding typically costs between £20 and £50 per square metre, larch costs between £10 and £40 per square metre, or red cedar costs between £10 and £65 per square metre.

Timber cladding can be installed in various profiles, and the costs will vary depending on the profile.

So, what are the average timber cladding prices? Shiplap, tongue, and groove are two of the most popular options, and they both cost around £20 - £60 per square metre. Waney lap and feather edge profiles are less common and cost between £10 and £40 per square metre.

Timber Cladding Prices

Supply Only Costs

When it comes to the cost of supplying timber cladding, the prices will vary depending on the type of wood used. Oak, red cedar, and larch are the three most common materials used for timber cladding.

Oak timber cladding ranges in price from £20 to £50 per square metre, red cedar timber cladding ranges from £10 to £65 per square metre, and larch timber cladding ranges from £10 to £40 per square metre.

Because these costs are calculated per square metre, you can see that the overall costs can vary depending on the size of your home. The larger your home, the more supplies you will require and, as a result, the higher the material cost.

The sizes of each timber board are simply referred to as board size. The higher the cost, the thicker the board. The average price per m² for the same thickness board, regardless of width, will be similar (depending on the timber species). Thicker boards are typically mixed with thinner boards.

When deciding on a size, the two most important factors to consider are:

• The higher the price per square metre, the thicker the board.
• The more lineal metres of timber you must install per m², the narrower the board.

Additional Costs

You should remember a few things when installing timber wall cladding. First, in some cases, your starting point will be more expensive. This section will go over the extra costs that you may incur when installing timber cladding.

Scaffolding

The cost of hiring scaffolding varies according to the amount of scaffolding required. This is a mixture of your property's type and the work done. You will also be required to hire the scaffolding for at least six to eight weeks.

Suppose all you need is a small tower. This would be to finish a job such as repairing hip tiles or guttering. You can expect to pay anywhere between £640 and £1,210 for the entire hire.

The cost of hiring scaffolding for a large project, such as painting it outside a detached home, will be much higher. You should plan on spending between £7,500 and £11,500.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of hiring scaffolding.

Removing Asbestos from a Roof

Because of its ability to take in sound and provide thermal insulation, asbestos was once one of the most popular building materials.

But unfortunately, the harmful side effects were not discovered until much later. Today, we understand that the many dangers of asbestos far outweigh any potential benefits.

If you have even the smallest idea that asbestos may be present in your home, make sure you find a professional in your area who has the necessary qualifications and experience to analyse the safety impact and carry out the safe removal.

Typical asbestos roof removal costs will cost £2,000 - £2,500.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of removing asbestos from a roof.

Painting Exterior Doors

The average price of painting an exterior door depends on the size, type, and material of the door and how many coats of paint or primer are required.

Typically, painting an exterior door without additional work can cost around £150. However, painting an exterior door with glass panels that require knotting and sanding can cost £250 per door.

If you want a cheaper option, you can do it yourself. However, if you want the job done correctly, hiring a professional painter and decorator is always to your benefit.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of painting exterior doors.

Rendering

Depending on the size, difficulty, and methods used, the cost of rendering your home can range from just over £2,000 to upwards of £8,000. A small bungalow, for example, will cost significantly less than rendering a large, detached property.

Another important factor to consider is the type of rendering processes and equipment used, as these can significantly reduce or raise the total cost of the job.

The final process's quality is also an important consideration, whether you save money by doing it yourself or hire a qualified tradesperson and pay a little more for a more skilled position.

All of these are crucial elements that only you, as the homeowner, can make corrections to.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of rendering a house.

Repairing Guttering

If the existing gutters are in poor condition or are very old, it is best to replace them. You don't want rainwater running down your new timber cladding and ruining the look.

The price is affected by the material used; the cheapest option also has the shortest duration. Guttering is marketed by the metre, so expect to pay around £2 per metre for supplies alone for a standard plastic gutter.

The average price for the same dimension half-round guttering in copper can be around £25 per metre. In addition to gutters, you may require downpipes, which costs around £3 per metre for plastic and £38 for copper for the same length.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of replacing guttering.

Capping Fascias and Soffits

However, your home's roofline includes more than just the guttering, fascia and soffits. Capping fascia and soffits are an instant way to improve the aesthetic of this part of your home, but only if they are made of wood.

The cost of capping fascias and soffits varies greatly depending on the layout and size of your home. To seal the fascias and soffits on an entire three-bedroom house will cost around £200 in materials and around £600 in labour, with the job taking about one day, assuming no complications or setbacks.

The size of the soffits should also be considered. For example, if you live in a tall home that isn't particularly large in surface area, you'll naturally require fewer materials to cap your home.

Similarly, the price will rise if the opposite is true for buildings such as bungalows, which cover more land.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of capping fascias and soffits.

Skip Hire

If you are completely redoing the exterior of your home, you may discover that there is a lot of waste to be disposed of, especially if you are removing old cladding or replacing it with new cladding. Sometimes the builders will remove the waste for you.

However, you may be required to handle waste removal yourself on other occasions. If you need to remove a large amount of waste, the best option is to hire a skip.

Hiring a mini skip for a week costs around £90 - £130 on average, whereas hiring a large 12-yard skip for the same amount of time costs much more, around £250 - £440 on average.

If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of skip hire.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The cost of labour for a timber cladding installation will differ based on the job's complexity, the size and shape of the house, or your location within the United Kingdom.

If you hire professional cladding experts to do the work for you, you will most probably pay a single price for supply and installation. However, if you purchase the cladding separately, you will have to negotiate fees with contractors who can install the cladding for you.

The average cost of labour for this job is £150 - £200 per day for the main installer and £80 - £100 per day for extra labourers who need to work on the job.

Timelines will be determined by various factors, including the design of the building, the chosen profile, and even the orientation of the cladding. For example, although most wood cladding is installed horizontally, vertical timber cladding is possible with the right profile.

The size of the house will also influence how long it takes to install, and because it is an outside job, the weather can also play a role. For example, bad weather can cause delays in starting or completing a cladding project, affecting the timeframe and labour costs.

Cost Factors of Installing Timber Cladding

Several factors can influence the cost of building timber cladding on your home. This section will go over the various costs associated with installing timber cladding on your home.

Size

The amount of cladding you require will be affected by the size of your home and the area in which you intend to install the cladding.

For example, some people prefer to have cladding installed on the entire exterior of their home, whereas others prefer to have cladding installed on just one wall or a small part of the home. Nonetheless, the quantity of cladding required will affect the project's overall cost.

Materials

One of the largest expense influencing factors will be the type of timber you use for your timber cladding. For example, hardwood costs more than softwood. This is because softwood is much more abundant than hardwood.

Oak cladding costs approximately £20 - £50 per square metre, whilst softwoods such as larch cost approximately £10 - £40 per square metre.

Property's Location

The cost of installing cladding on your home may be affected by the location of your property. For example, homeowners in and around London can expect to pay a higher labour cost than those in the North or other parts of the UK.

Profile Selection

The type of profile you select may be determined by the advantages to the property you aspire to accomplish or simply by the aesthetic you desire. In either case, the profile you choose will impact the overall price you pay.

Shiplap, tongue and groove cladding, and log lap are more pricey than rough sawn profiles like feather edge or waney lap. The price difference is because of the additional processes that planned profiles must go through to be finished.

House Layout

The shape of your house will influence the cost of external timber cladding. A simple shape, like a bungalow on one level, will be easier to install than a more complex design with multiple angles and elevations. However, the labour involved in a more complex installation will result in higher time and manpower costs.

What's Involved in Installing Timber Cladding?

Timber cladding is much easier to handle than other building materials, allowing you to complete a project much faster. In addition, because it can be cut and shaped to your specifications, timber cladding allows you to create intricate designs and shapes.

Whether you want to install horizontal timber cladding or vertical cladding, the assembly process is simpler than with other materials. This reduces costs and allows builders to complete projects more quickly. This section will go over the steps involved in installing timber cladding.

After you've chosen your timber species and profile and prepared the installation site, it's time to fit and secure the cladding boards to the building. Again, the profile chosen will have a large impact on how the specific cladding boards match together and, as a result, how the cladding is installed.

Timber cladding is intended to be used horizontally. Only certain profiles are suggested for vertical use, so double-check before you begin. Cladding panels should be attached to backing structure battens as specified by the architect. Each panel should also be fixed individually.

All NORclad products should be installed with Stainless Steel grade 304 fasteners. This ensures a high-quality finished product. In addition, it is best to use annular ring shank nails with flat heads.

Fixings with lost or small heads are not advised for timber cladding projects. The fixing should be flush with the surface of the board. It is best to nail the nails to the wood by hand. This prevents overdriven nails from causing splitting or noticeable damage to the boards.

You have two options when installing timber cladding: face fix or secret fix. Face fix or hidden fix? Face fixing will be required when installing the first board on every elevation.

The installation of timber cladding will differ slightly based on the main wall structure. Each project will require a specialist to examine the bespoke nature of the project. Understanding the structure and the condition of the building can help ensure that moisture and water vapour are effectively dealt with and do not impact the timber cladding.

The finish around various wall features, like windows, doors, corners, or flashing, will be critical for achieving a professional look. You'll want to choose features that complement the cladding, which you should consult with your architect.

These features are important not only for the final appearance of the building but also for ensuring that water runoff is effective and that there are no gaps for water/dirt to get behind the cladding. To seal any gaps around windows or doors, use high-performance caulking.

Can I Install Timber Cladding Myself?

Exterior timber cladding installation can be done as a do-it-yourself project if you are confident and competent in your abilities and have prior experience with similar work.

However, it is recommended that timber cladding be installed by a professional. Although we can provide instructions and recommendations, it is recommended that the cladding be installed by a professional to ensure that it fits together perfectly.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission for Timber Cladding Installation

Timber cladding has nearly limitless design potential and a slew of practical advantages. So if you decide to use it in your construction project, you'll undoubtedly be eager to get started as soon as possible.




However, unless you want to earn initial enforcement from your local authority, you must first determine whether you need to seek planning permission.

Understanding the intricacies of planning law in the United Kingdom can be perplexing, but it is critical to get it right. Alternatively, your timber cladding dreams may never come true!

Adding or replacing exterior timber cladding is frequently possible without planning permission. This is since its use usually falls within your 'permitted development rights'.

In addition, you have the right as a homeowner to sustain and make small improvements to your home if you use materials that look similar to those used in its renovation.

However, if you intend to use timber cladding heavily, you may need to apply for permission. This is also true if your structure is:

• In a conservation area.
• Listed.
• In a natural beauty area.

Remember that just because you need to apply for planning permission in these cases doesn't mean you won't be able to proceed with your project.

The extent of the work determines whether you need Building Regulations permission to install timber cladding. For example, the regulations will apply if you are cladding or recladding 25% or over the external walls. External walls must meet British fire safety standards and provide sufficient thermal insulation.

Types of Timber Cladding

Timber cladding is a common finishing material for various homes, ranging from barn conversions to ultra-modern self-build projects. Here are the various types of timber cladding and their pros and cons to help you choose the best option for your scheme.

Oak Cladding

If you're looking for traditional hardwood flooring for your home, oak is a good option. To ensure maximum structural stability, the boards are usually air or kiln-dried to moisture levels of 15% to 25% before fitting.

The new oak cladding has the flexibility to complement a variety of schemes due to the wide range of colours available, such as chocolate browns and sandy and honey tones. However, property owners should be aware that most oak products will develop a natural silvery vintage look over time if left untreated.

Because of the thicker boards used, this product costs around £60 per m² – significantly more than basic oak options. Because oak is a premium product, it is likely to be significantly more expensive than softwood alternatives.

PROS

✔ Durable and strong

✔ Resists fungal

✔ Multiple options

CONS

✖ More expensive than softwood

✖ The original colour will fade

Red Cedar Cladding

Western Red cedar is regarded as one of the UK's favourite products for timber cladding because it is naturally durable, easy to work with, and visually appealing.

In the past, Canadian varieties of this softwood were frequently the preferred option, but the price disparity has narrowed over the last two years, and British-grown options are now gaining popularity.

If properly installed and finished, this timber has a service life of many centuries. Western Red cedar shingles, for example, will last for more than 50 years.

Prices for untreated cedar cladding can range from as low as £20 per m², but higher quality grades or pre-finished products can cost up to £40 per m².

PROS

✔ Durable

✔ Light

✔ Weather-resistant

CONS

✖ The colour can fade to silver if untreated

Larch Timber Cladding

Larch is one of the most popular softwood coverings among self-builders and renovators in the UK. Boards are available in various colours, ranging from warm amber tones to rich golden-brown shades. If left untreated, the wood will weather to a lovely silvery-grey colour over time.

Cladding made of this type of wood has a service life of at least 30-50 years if properly installed. Russwood's Scotlarch is air-dried to a 16 - 18% moisture content to achieve maximum structural stability. Prices depend on provenance and quality, but larch cladding starts at £15 per m².

PROS

✔ Cheap

✔ Multiple options to choose from

CONS

✖ It could be spilt

✖ Knots could become loose

Kebony Modified Timber Cladding

Kebony's deep brown hue visually resembles tropical hardwoods such as teak or mahogany. This product has been chemically modified using an environmentally friendly process to enhance durability and stability. It comes in two grades: character and clear.

Kebony, like similar modified products, is frequently specified for its hardness and dimensional stability. Indeed, its high durability makes it a powerful competitor for cladding on properties in exposed areas near the coast. However, Kebony cladding will cost between £38 and £60 per m².

PROS

✔ Durable

✔ Stable

CONS

✖ Expensive

Accoya Modified Timber Cladding

Accoya is a warm, characterful covering available in a variety of warm, characterful hues. It is suitable for both traditional and contemporary architecture. This modified product goes through an acetylation process, making the wood more dimensionally stable.

Accoya boards vertically oriented were chosen as the covering for this eye-catching bungalow extension project in Scotland.

Because of its structural stability, boards made of this material can be cut in sharp, crisp lines and retain their shape over time, making it a popular choice for modern schemes.

Accoya cladding costs around £40 per m² based on a 150mm untreated timber profile. A factory coating will cost an additional £20 per m².

PROS

✔ Available in different colours

✔ Good for modern homes

CONS

✖ Not as durable as others

Hiring Contractors to Install Timber Cladding

• These can take the form of CSCS certified, City and Guild levels, or even college-level qualifications such as HNCs, depending on the tradesman hired.
• The most crucial factor to consider when hiring a tradesperson is insurance. Check that they have at least third-party liability insurance that covers building work. At the very least, you should look for a tradesman who has a personal injury, property damage and works guarantee insurance
• Proof of prior projects is also an important factor when hiring a tradesperson. If they have information about previous clients, photos, or even a portfolio of their work, it demonstrates that they are proud of the skill level they can offer.
• Is there any kind of guarantee offered by the tradesman for the work they're going to do? Most will offer to ensure that you are satisfied with the work before they finish it. However, it may be worthwhile to look for a tradesperson who offers a five-year or longer guarantee. Then, if any issues come up in the future because of flaws in the construction process, you are covered, and they will correct their mistakes at no cost to you.
• To ensure that you are paying a fair price for each component of the job, request a cost breakdown on the quote.
• Compare quote prices, especially on a tight budget, to ensure you're getting a good deal on skip hire and aren't being overcharged.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.timbercladdingsolutions.co.uk/how-to-install-timber-cladding/
https://www.timbercladdingsolutions.co.uk/do-you-need-planning-permission-for-timber-cladding/