Today, building a new home or renovating an existing one is all about customisation and creating a home that suits you and your family. That includes your house cladding, and there are plenty of choices beyond brick and weatherboard (which are both still popular choices).
In fact, new house designs can feature a mix of surfaces on their facades. For example, there could be a combination of face bricks, composite cladding, timber and even cultured stone or steel. And all these materials fall into the category of cladding.
What is cladding?
Cladding is a non-load-bearing skin or layer attached to the outside of a home. It is designed to protect the building from the weather as well as provide street appeal. It can also offer insulation and fire resistance, depending on the cladding.
While the internal structure of houses hasn’t changed much since the 1960s – most are timber or steel-framed – new products and improvements on existing cladding options now allow you to create an exterior that reflects your own style and aesthetic.
Some of the most popular exterior cladding materials include:
- Weatherboard
- Brick
- Fibre cement
- Stone
- Metal
- Concrete
Christian Hansen of James Hardie says that because most Australian homes rely on a timber or steel frame for structural support, the exterior surface – whether brick, timber, metal or composite materials – is really just cladding. So, it’s not essential to the structural integrity of the building.
“Essentially, whatever’s on the outside of the house is a weather screen with the addition of an aesthetic element,” he says.
Dulux white called Casper (half strength) was used on the weatherboards of this 1950s home. (Photography: Jade Cantwell | Styling: Heather Nette King)
What to think about before updating your house cladding
Changing or adding to the existing cladding of a dwelling is a big job. You typically need development approval to make changes to the exterior of your home, so make sure you contact your council and any other relevant authorities.
Some areas of Australia, particularly in rural locations, also have stringent fire regulations that affect what exterior cladding you can use.
Before deciding to go ahead, you should talk to a few builders and take time to secure at least two quotes, preferably three, for the material plus installation. Many companies have display centres that include samples of their cladding products on a larger scale, which can help you get a sense of what it will look like on your home.
If you are considering re-cladding your house, it is also important to look at insulation options at the same time, to ensure you make the space as thermal-resistant as possible.
This weatherboard cottage by Technē Architecture + Design maintained the original weatherboard cladding but used the sides of a shipping container for the new rear extension. (Photography: Lisa Cohen | Styling: Heather Nette King | Design: Techne Architecture + Design and Doherty Design Studio)
5 stylish exterior house cladding materials in Australia
1. Timber weatherboard cladding
Often chosen for first-floor additions or rear extensions, timber weatherboards are readily available. However, they do need regular maintenance and painting, which can add to your ongoing costs.
If you are considering weatherboards, it’s worth also considering options made from other materials. For example, James Hardie has a range of pre-primed, site-painted fibre cement weatherboard products in its ‘Primeline’ range. You can also get composite weatherboard products, which are typically made of wood and a synthetic binding agent (similar to composite floorboards).
2. Fibre cement cladding
Modern fibre-cement cladding comes in a variety of styles, including vertical or horizontal boards or large panels. Easy to install, this material is durable and doesn’t require much in the way of upkeep.
It resists damage from water and fire and has a low risk of condensation. Pre-primed, the boards are favoured for their classic style, while panels such as James Hardie’s ‘Matrix’ range offer a minimalist look perfect for more contemporary styles of buildings.
Layering white with slightly off-white shades can create a dynamic look. (Photo: James Hardy)
3. Stone cladding
Often used in modern-style homes, stone has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Cultured stone is increasingly being used as a feature in exteriors, most commonly for porches, outdoor fireplaces or feature walls, while in some heritage homes, original stone facades are being carefully restored to their former glory.
You can also find stone cladding options to suit different budgets and may still achieve the depth, complexity of colour, pattern and unique texture of more expensive natural stone. Different stones are available to suit almost any style of home.
4. Metal cladding
Colorbond panels are increasingly being considered as a cladding material, often combined with either brick or weatherboard at ground level.
A popular choice for modern, box-like extensions, metal cladding is commonly specified in shades of black. When done well, the result is a dramatic showstopper to delineate between old and new, especially in rear extensions.
5. Brick cladding
Still the most common exterior surface in Australia, brick continues to be in favour as a cladding for new builds, although it’s increasingly combined with fibre cement or weatherboard for first-floor additions.
Trends in recent years have included darker hues of bricks in line with the country’s fascination with all things grey. Thinner profiles of bricks, known as linear and split styles, are in demand, as are paler shades of grey that suit the ever-popular Scandi look.
While a smooth profile is still highly sought-after, there has been a move towards a more artisanal look and feel — especially in inner-city areas — via textured brick with an industrial aesthetic.
Scyon ‘Linea’ cladding in different colours can be used to create visual contrast as seen here in this contemporary home. (Photography: Brigid Arnott | Design: Cave+Reid Design and Designed by Catherine Findlay | Garden: Sticks and Stones LTD)
Samples of cladding styles and textures
2024’s top house cladding options in Australia
- Axon cladding, James Hardie (here’s why)
- Steel walling, COLORBOND (here’s why)
- Lang Mursten bricks in Larsen, PGH Bricks & Pavers (here’s why)
The best house cladding options in Australia for 2024
01
Axon cladding, James Hardie
Colours: N/A (James Hardie external cladding is unpainted)
Material: Fibre cement
Maintenance: Wash down every 6-12 months or every 3-4 months in coastal areas.
Key features:
- Vertical 9mm wide groove
- Fire, moisture and rot-resistant
- 25-year warranty
02
Steel walling in Monument (matt finish), COLORBOND
Colours: Dover White, Surfmist, Southerly, Shale Grey, Bluegum, Windspray, Basalt, Classic Cream, Paperbark, Evening Haze, Dune, Gully, Jasper, Manor Red, Wallaby, Woodland Grey, Pale Eucalypt, Cottage Green, Ironstone, Deep Ocean, Night Sky, Monument
Materials:
Maintenance:
Key features:
- Key features 1
- Key features 2
- Key features 3
- Key features 4
03
Lang Mursten bricks in Larsen, PGH Bricks & Pavers
Sizes:
Colours:
Materials:
Maintenance:
Key features:
- Key features 1
- Key features 2
- Key features 3
- Key features 4
04
[product name]
from $ at [Store name]
Sizes:
Colours:
Materials:
Maintenance:
Key features:
- Key features 1
- Key features 2
- Key features 3
- Key features 4
Question
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
