We’ve written a lot about where to start when constructing your home, but what about how you finish? Choosing the right external finish is one of the most critical decisions you will make and is just as important as the construction method you choose.
The exterior finish of your home is where you can define your style, as well as playing a vital role in its durability and weather resistance. With various materials and techniques available, each offering unique advantages, it's essential to select a finish that aligns with you. This article explores some of the most popular options for external finishes, as well as touching on how they work and what they cost:
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE EXTERNAL FINISH OF YOUR HOME?
The external finish (or cladding) of your home refers to the components attached to your building’s structure to form an external and protective surface. It’s more than just a decorative element for your home; it serves multiple critical functions that contribute to the building's overall performance and aesthetics.
One of the primary functions of external cladding is to protect your home from weather-related damage. Cladding acts as a shield against the elements, which helping to prevent moisture ingress and the subsequent issues it can cause, such as dampness, mould, and structural deterioration. Your external finish can also reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, leading to reduced heating and cooling costs. 
HOW TO CHOSE THE RIGHT EXTERNAL FINISH?
All the work put into the layout and design of a house should be highlighted with an impressive external look, which is usually the main factor when choosing cladding.
For starters, it’s best to start planning for your finishes in the early stages to plan for the size of your walls, windows, doors and any other design features. Ask yourself what kind of design you’re going for. Are you looking to blend into your surroundings or stand out from the crowd?
You may be surprised to know that your local planning authority can have a big impact on your choices of cladding. Small changes to the exteriors of existing structures shouldn’t cause many issues, but dramatic makeovers and standout designs may require consent. Additionally, projects in conservation areas also have more stringent rules on your exterior finish.
The location of your project is big factor too. Coastal areas or more northern plots may require a focus on durability over design, which can limit your options. In the same vein, areas with heavy sunlight can discolour your interior finish, although you shouldn’t have to worry too much about that in the UK.
Finishing options such as traditional brick and stones generally require less maintenance than metal options but may come at a higher up front cost and be harder to source. Metal cladding may have a longer lifespan but may require upkeep on its joints and fixtures. It’s all about assessing the pros and cons of each available option.
HOW MUCH DO EXTERNAL FINISHES COST?
The cost of external finishes for a self-build home can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of material used, the complexity of the installation, the size of your home, and your location. It’s difficult to say that one type of cladding is more expensive as the other, as finishes can range in price.
This might seem like a job you can complete yourself but getting the finish right is harder than it seems. Especially with more modern finishes. Our advice is to call in the professionals. The cost of professional cladding installation depends on the size of your project and your choice of cladding, but we’ve seen a range between £50 – 400 per m2.
We do recommend shopping around different finishes and gathering multiple quotes, as all quotes will be bespoke.
RENDER
A classic render finish is one of the more common finishing options you’ll see in self-builds. A Render finish involves applying a mixture of materials, typically a combination of cement, sand, lime, and sometimes polymers, onto the exterior walls to create a smooth or textured finish. This rendered layer not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the building but also provides additional protection against the elements.
Rendering exterior walls is a cost-effective method that creates a contemporary and stylish home, while making it more energy efficient through matching with your choice of insulation. Great for that first impression.
Rendering a home is also a favourable choice for renovating existing buildings as it can give walls that have suffered wear and tear a complete restoration.
BRICK SLIP
A brick slip external finish is installed when you're after the appearance appearance, colour and texture of a real clay brick wall. Brick slip still remains a popular and cost-effective finish sue to its durability and versatility. The bricks can come in various colours, sizes, and textures, allowing for a wide range of design possibilities.
In terms of function, Bricks are known for its strength and resistance to weather. They can provide good insulation and provide an extra layer of safety through its fire resistance. Brick may be a dwindling construction method amidst the modern construction scene, but the brick finish stands the test of time.
There are a lot of advantages of choosing a timber cladding to other kinds of cladding. The time of application is relatively short. Minimum 30 year service life without coating is a good durability result. Moreover, it is a very eco-friendly solution characterised by low carbon emission level. The aesthetics is another advantage of timber cladding with relatively low costs in comparison to other cladding solutions.
The prices vary depending on the species of timber and method used, but if I could set up an average price it would be about £35m2 plus labour including nails, for a low basic specification timber.
Check out our article with Glenalmond Timber to find out more about Timber cladding!
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a synthetic plastic polymer, is another consideration for your external finish. Panels or boards made of PVC that are attached to the exterior walls of a building. PVC cladding can be designed to mimic the appearance of other materials, such as wood, stone, or metal, providing a range of aesthetic options.
PVC is resistant to moisture, rot, and insects, making it a durable choice for external finishes. It also resists fading and discolouration from UV exposure.
COMPOSITE
Composite cladding is made up of combining wood fibre and recycled plastic. The resulting composite material combines the best properties of both components, offering enhanced durability, aesthetic flexibility, and low maintenance.
Composite cladding can be designed to mimic the appearance of natural wood, stone, or other materials. It is available in a wide range of colours, textures, and finishes, allowing for versatile design options. Composite cladding can be more expensive upfront compared to traditional materials like vinyl or aluminium siding. However, its long-term durability and low maintenance often offset the initial cost.
FIBRE CEMENT
Fibre cement cladding is a versatile and durable exterior cladding solution. Immediately after it is formed, fibre cement is still pliable.
fibre cement cladding is often considered cost-effective in the long run due to its durability and low maintenance needs. Proper installation is crucial for the performance of fibre cement cladding. It requires skilled labour to ensure that it is securely attached and weatherproof.
This means it can be moulded into 3-dimensional shapes, can be embossed and because the fibre matrix supports the cement and other solids, can be far thinner than concrete. Random and natural surface effects can be achieved but with the consistency of a production line giving superb levels of control and cost efficiency.
Check out our article with Swisspearl to find out more about Fibre Cement cladding!
In reality, there are an endless number of options for external finishes available to the self-builder, and a big factor of what you choose is simply what is available to you in the first place. External cladding may last up to 50 years, so it is important to conduct thorough research to make sure that you choose the best solution.
Our most important takeaway from this article is: consider your finish at the start.
