If you're looking at exterior cladding for your home in Mildenhall, getting the right contractor on board from the start makes the difference between a job that lasts and one that causes headaches within a few years.
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Exterior cladding is a protective layer fixed to the outside walls of your home. It shields the structure beneath from rain, wind and temperature change, and it can transform the look of a property at the same time. Done well, it significantly reduces maintenance, stops water ingress at the wall and can improve thermal performance.
The materials have different properties, price points and maintenance requirements, so the right choice depends on your property, your budget and what you want to achieve over the long term.
uPVC cladding boards are lightweight, relatively affordable and need virtually no ongoing maintenance. They won't rot, they won't need painting and they hold colour well. The trade-off is that cheaper boards can look thin on larger elevations, and the quality between manufacturers varies considerably.
Composite cladding uses a mix of materials - usually wood fibre and plastic - to give the appearance of timber without the maintenance. It sits at a higher price point than uPVC but looks more substantial on a wall. A typical composite cladding installation on a semi-detached house might run from around £5,000 to £10,000 depending on the area being covered and the board profile chosen.
Metal panels, often aluminium, are used where a more modern or commercial finish is wanted. They're extremely durable and suit contemporary builds or extensions. They require skilled installation to get the fixings, flashings and joints right, and they are generally the most expensive option of the three.
Good cladding work starts with the wall beneath. Any existing render cracks, damp patches or failing insulation need to be dealt with before boards go on, not hidden behind them. A contractor who wants to skip this step is cutting corners that will cost you money later.
A correctly installed system will include a ventilated cavity or breathable membrane behind the boards, correct flashings at window and door reveals, watertight corner trims, and fixings that are compatible with the board material. The boards need to be level, plumb and securely fixed at the right centres - manufacturer specifications exist for a reason.
Finishing details matter more than people expect. How the cladding meets the fascia, the soffit, the ground level and any door canopies determines whether water is shed cleanly away or finds a route in. These junctions are where most cladding failures begin.
This is the most important part of any cladding project. The material you choose matters, but the quality of the installation matters more. A mid-range product fitted properly will outlast a premium product fitted badly every time.
Start by asking each contractor these questions before you agree to anything:
Get at least three quotes and make sure they are itemised. A quote that just says "supply and fix cladding - £4,500" tells you nothing useful. You need to know what material is being used, what brand and profile of board, how much prep work is included, how windows and doors will be dealt with, and what trims and flashings are covered.
If one quote is significantly lower than the others, find out why before accepting it. Common reasons include thinner or lower-specification boards, no membrane or batten framework, no allowance for remedial prep work, or the use of cheaper fixings. These differences aren't always visible once the job is done, but they affect how long the installation lasts.
Equally, a high price doesn't guarantee quality. Ask every contractor the same set of questions regardless of what they've quoted, and compare the scope of work as well as the number at the bottom of the page.
Most domestic cladding work on a house falls under permitted development, meaning you don't need planning permission. However, there are exceptions. If your property is in a conservation area, is listed, or is part of a development with specific conditions attached to the original planning consent, you may need to apply. Check with your local planning authority before work starts rather than after.
For certain types of cladding on certain building types, Building Regulations may also apply - particularly where insulation is being incorporated into the system or where the property is a flat or house in multiple occupation. Your contractor should be able to advise, but it's worth verifying independently if you're uncertain.
Cladding is often installed at the same time as fascia boards, soffit boards and guttering, because scaffolding is already up and the same area of the building is being worked on. Combining these jobs makes practical and financial sense. Old timber fascias and soffits that are starting to rot are a common finding when scaffolding goes up for cladding work, and replacing them at the same time avoids the cost of a second scaffold erection.
If your gutters are old or leaking, that's also worth addressing before new cladding goes on below. Water overflowing from a blocked or failed gutter will track down new cladding and accelerate any small gaps or unsealed joints. Sort the gutters first or at the same time.
Quality uPVC boards from a reputable manufacturer typically carry manufacturer colour-fade warranties of around 10 years and can last 20 to 30 years or more in normal conditions. Composite boards have similar lifespans. Metal panels, if correctly installed and finished, can last considerably longer. The actual lifespan in practice depends heavily on the quality of the installation, particularly the junctions and fixings.
Note that manufacturer warranties cover the material itself, not the installation. What happens between the contractor and the homeowner is a separate matter, which is why asking about call-backs and snagging before you agree is important.
We carry out exterior cladding installations for homeowners in Mildenhall and across the surrounding area, including nearby towns such as Thetford and Stowmarket, and back to our base in Bury St Edmunds. If you're ready to talk through what's involved for your property, call us to arrange a survey and a written, itemised quote so you can compare properly.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
