Wood vs Fibre Cement vs PVC Cladding - Which Is Best For Me?

External cladding is a great addition to many homes, but with so many types and materials available, it’s difficult to know what’s right for you. All cladding materials have their benefits, but different types are more suitable for certain buildings or goals. Find out what the key differences between each type are by reading on.

Timber

Timber external cladding is seen to be one of the more traditional forms of cladding available. It’s one of the cheaper forms of cladding, so if you’re looking for a budget option, this could be right for you.

It’s also natural, so you have no need to worry about the materials you’re using. However, timber cladding certainly has its downfalls too. It’s not very durable, and because of the material is susceptible to rot and infestations from insects. It’s worth noting as well that timber is incredibly flammable so is not the best from a safety perspective.

Although it’s good on a budget, based on these factors, timber can actually lead to more fees being shelled out for maintenance later down the line, so it’s not actually as cheap as often led to believe.

Fibre Cement Cladding

Fibre cement panels are known for being mould resistant, and there’s no shrinkage risk involved with this material. The low maintenance appeal of this type of cladding is also a bonus, as well as also being fire resistant.

However, fibre cement cladding is designed to be used as a decorative feature, and is not completely waterproof or windproof. This means that it’s not as protective as other materials, despite some of the other benefits associated with the product.

PVC Cladding

PVC cladding has many of the benefits of the other cladding. It’s durable - the material isn’t susceptible to rotting or infestation, much like fibre cement cladding, however it also boasts a completely waterproof barrier without the need for any additional protective coatings, so is more suitable for standing up to poor weather all year round.

Again, PVC cladding is non-combustible and isn’t flammable, meaning it ranks highly on the safety factor. All our PVC cladding comes with a classification of D-s3, d2/(AHM), and are BBA Certified and British Standards Registered.

There are a range of colours available when it comes to PVC cladding. Whether you’re choosing Shiplap, V-Joint or Weatherboard there’s the option to personalise your choice even more thanks to this.

Overall, timber and fibre cement cladding do have their benefits, and are suitable in certain applications. However, PVC cladding is by far the best all-rounder in terms of versatility, durability and safety for your home.