Exterior Cladding in Newmarket

Expert Exterior Cladding
in Newmarket

Choosing the Right Cladding Material for Your Home

Exterior cladding is one of those jobs where the material you choose makes a real difference to the outcome, and not just in terms of looks. Each cladding system has different performance characteristics, a different maintenance profile and a different price point. Understanding the honest trade-offs before you commit means you are far less likely to be disappointed with the result.

We install exterior cladding across Newmarket and travel from our base in Bury St Edmunds to cover the surrounding area, including Mildenhall, Thetford and Stowmarket. On this page we run through the main cladding materials available to homeowners, what each one is genuinely good at, and where the limitations are.

What Exterior Cladding Is and What It Does

Cladding is a layer of material fixed to the outside face of a wall. Its primary job is to stop rain and wind-driven moisture from getting into the structure. A secondary effect is improving the appearance of the building, which for many homeowners is an equally important reason to have it done.

A well-fitted cladding system gives the wall a surface that sheds water quickly and does not allow moisture to sit against the masonry or render beneath. It also provides a degree of protection against minor physical damage and, depending on the system, can improve thermal performance if an insulation layer is included.

uPVC Cladding: The Practical Choice

uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) cladding boards are the most widely fitted system on domestic properties in the UK. They are manufactured in a range of profiles - smooth, woodgrain-effect, shiplap - and in a wide range of colours. Most are hollow-section boards that interlock along their length, fixed to battens over the wall face.

What uPVC does well:

• Very low maintenance. It does not need painting and a wash with soapy water keeps it looking clean.
• Resistant to rot, insect damage and corrosion.
• Relatively affordable - fitted costs typically sit between £40 and £70 per square metre depending on the profile and colour chosen.
• Available in a wide range of colours from standard white through to grey, cream, black and woodgrain finishes.
• Lightweight, which makes it suitable for most wall types without additional structural considerations.

Where uPVC has limitations:

• It can look obviously plastic at close range, which some homeowners dislike. The woodgrain finishes have improved significantly, but they do not fully replicate natural timber.
• uPVC expands and contracts with temperature changes. This is accommodated in the joint design, but poor installation that does not leave adequate movement gaps can lead to buckling on hot days.
• It is not biodegradable and is less environmentally favoured than timber or composite alternatives.
• Lighter-coloured boards can yellow slightly over time, particularly on south-facing elevations with heavy sun exposure. Quality varies between manufacturers, and cheaper boards discolour more quickly.
• Impact damage - from ladders, falling branches or similar - can crack boards. Individual boards can be replaced, but matching older colours exactly can sometimes be difficult if the product range has changed.

Composite Cladding: The Middle Ground

Composite cladding boards are made from a mixture of wood fibre and plastic resin, pressed into boards that closely resemble timber. The composite construction gives them much better stability than solid timber - they do not warp or split in the same way - while retaining a more natural appearance than uPVC.

What composite does well:

• Genuinely convincing timber appearance, especially at close range. The texture and grain effect is much more realistic than most uPVC woodgrain finishes.
• Dimensionally stable. Unlike solid timber, good-quality composite boards resist warping, cupping and splitting caused by moisture uptake and temperature cycles.
• Low maintenance compared to real timber - no painting or staining required. A periodic wash is sufficient for most boards.
• More environmentally considered than pure plastic, as many composite boards use recycled wood fibre content.
• Mid-range price point - fitted costs typically run between £60 and £100 per square metre, sitting between uPVC and metal systems.

Where composite has limitations:

• Not all composite boards perform equally. There is significant variation in quality between manufacturers. Cheaper composite products can absorb moisture over time, swell at the joints and degrade faster than the higher-quality alternatives. Asking your installer which specific products they use and why matters here.
• Heavier than uPVC, which means fixings and battens need to be appropriate for the additional load.
• Less colour variety than uPVC. Most composite ranges offer a limited palette of wood-effect tones. Bold contemporary colours are generally only available in uPVC or metal.
• Some composite boards require specific cleaning products rather than generic household cleaners to avoid surface damage.

Metal Cladding: The Contemporary Option

Metal cladding panels - typically aluminium or steel - are increasingly used on domestic properties as well as commercial buildings. They give a clean, flat appearance that suits modern architecture and renovation projects where a contemporary look is the goal.

What metal cladding does well:

• Extremely durable. Good-quality aluminium cladding is resistant to corrosion and will outlast both uPVC and composite in most conditions when fitted correctly.
• Lightweight, particularly aluminium, which makes it practical for most structural situations.
• Available in a wide range of colours via powder-coating. The factory-applied finish is hard-wearing and retains its colour well.
• Aesthetically distinctive. On a renovation project where the goal is a modern, flat-panel appearance, nothing matches the look of metal.
• Recyclable at end of life, making it a more environmentally responsible long-term choice for homeowners who prioritise sustainability.

Where metal has limitations:

• Higher initial cost. Fitted metal cladding typically costs between £80 and £120 per square metre or more, depending on the panel specification and colour.
• Condensation can be a consideration with metal panels. A properly designed system with appropriate insulation and a ventilated cavity behind the panels manages this, but it underlines why the installation detail matters.
• Dents from impact damage are permanent and individual panels can be difficult to replace precisely if the colour or profile is discontinued.
• The contemporary aesthetic does not suit all property styles. On a traditional brick-built house, metal cladding can look out of place. It works best on properties where the overall design supports the modern look.
• Thermal expansion is significant with metal. Panels must be fixed with appropriate sliding fixings to allow movement, and an inexperienced installer can create a system that creaks or buckles.

Natural Timber Cladding: Worth Considering Honestly

Solid timber cladding - typically western red cedar, Siberian larch or treated softwood - is sometimes requested by homeowners who want a genuinely natural finish. It is worth being clear about what timber cladding involves in practice.

Timber looks excellent when it is new and well-maintained. The key phrase is well-maintained. Natural timber cladding needs treating or staining every three to five years, depending on the exposure of the elevation. A south-facing or exposed wall will need more frequent attention than a sheltered one. Fail to maintain it and the timber will grey, crack and eventually rot at the joints and end grain.

For homeowners who are prepared to maintain it, timber cladding is a genuinely attractive choice with a natural appearance no manufactured product fully replicates. For those who want a low-maintenance solution, composite or uPVC is more practical. The decision should be made honestly rather than based on how timber looks in a brochure photograph when it is brand new.

What a Good Installation Involves, Regardless of Material

The material choice matters, but the quality of the installation is equally important. A good cladding installation involves:

• Assessing the existing wall before anything is fixed to it. Any damp, loose render or structural issues should be identified and dealt with first.
• Fitting timber or metal battens to create a ventilated drainage gap between the cladding and the wall. This gap allows any incidental moisture to escape rather than sitting against the structure.
• Using fixings appropriate to the wall type. Brick, block and timber-frame walls all require different approaches.
• Sealing all joints around windows, doors and at the edges of the cladding run with appropriate mastic or trim pieces. This is where poorly installed cladding fails first.
• Checking that gutters and downpipes are working correctly before the new cladding goes on, so that overflowing water is not immediately running down the new surface.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Installer

Before agreeing to cladding work, ask any installer these questions:

• Which specific product and brand are you proposing, and why?
• Will there be a ventilated cavity behind the panels?
• How will you handle the junctions around my windows and doors?
• What do you do if you find damp or damage behind the existing wall face?
• Can I see examples of completed jobs in a similar material?

A competent installer will answer all of these clearly and without vagueness. If you get non-specific answers, press for detail or get another quote.

Related Services

Exterior cladding is often combined with other external maintenance work. We also carry out roof repairs and guttering installation and repair across Newmarket and the surrounding area. If scaffolding or access equipment is going up for a cladding job, it is worth considering whether any roof or gutter work needs doing at the same time - combining jobs in one visit reduces disruption and cost.

We cover Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and a range of nearby locations including Mildenhall, Thetford and Stowmarket. Call us to arrange a survey of your property so we can assess your wall condition and advise you honestly on the most suitable cladding system before you commit to anything.

Typical Costs for Exterior Cladding in Newmarket

As a broad guide, uPVC cladding fitted to a domestic property in the Newmarket area currently costs roughly £40 to £70 per square metre. Composite boards typically run from £60 to £100 per square metre fitted, and metal panels from £80 to £120 per square metre or above. These figures cover the cladding and installation; significant prep work to a damaged wall, such as removing failed render or treating damp, adds to the total and should be itemised separately in any quote you receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the colour of cladding fade over time? All exterior colours fade to some degree with UV exposure. The rate depends on the material and the quality of the pigment or coating. Premium uPVC and powder-coated metal hold their colour better than cheaper alternatives. Ask for any manufacturer colour-retention data before you choose.
• Can I mix different cladding materials on the same property? Yes. Many homeowners use one material on the main elevations and a different product on a garage, extension or porch. The junction between materials needs to be carefully detailed to prevent water ingress at the join.
• Does exterior cladding need planning permission? Cladding a house generally falls under permitted development for most properties. Conservation areas and listed buildings are exceptions and require checking with your local planning authority before work starts.
• Is composite cladding suitable for a damp climate? Good-quality composite boards are designed to handle UK weather conditions. The keyword is quality - cheap composite products absorb moisture over time. Ask your installer specifically about the moisture resistance rating of the product they propose.
• What is the difference between cladding and render? Render is a wet-applied coating mixed on site and applied directly to the wall face. Cladding is a manufactured panel or board fixed mechanically to battens over the wall. Cladding generally gives a more predictable, lower-maintenance result and is easier to replace in sections if a panel is damaged.

Ready to Get a Quote?

If you are weighing up which cladding material is right for your home in Newmarket, call Bury St Edmunds Roofers and we will come out to look at your property, discuss the options with you and give you a clear, itemised quote for the work. No pressure to commit on the day - we want you to make the right decision for your home.