BUILDING ENVELOPE
Horizontal vs vertical cladding
Lisa rosse at Cedral discusses the benefi ts and design possibilities of horizontal and vertical cladding styles.
D
id you know that you can fi t weatherboards vertically as well as horizontally on your home’s
exterior? The creative use of cladding can change the character of a house. Horizontal cladding emphasises width, while a vertical arrangement will give the impression of greater height. In weighing up the choice between horizontal or vertical installation of panels, as well as thinking about the look of each, homeowners should consider how they might differ in terms of performance, ease of installation, maintenance and cost. It’s also wise to check with your local council to see if you live in an area where the homes must meet specifi c aesthetic criteria and be aware of any planning restrictions which might impact your choice. Horizontal wooden weatherboard facades as seen in classic New England architecture, with wooden facades have provided inspiration for both new builds and renovations in the UK. This look works well for a variety of houses from traditional homes with wooden facades or coastal style homes to minimalist, contemporary properties. There is tremendous scope to create a particular exterior design by choosing different materials, colours and spacing and fi xings. atural or painted timber, composite boards, fi bre cement, metal and PVC are common materials, each with its own properties. Horizontal boards are available in shapes such as fl ush-fi tting tongue-and-groove, overlapping shiplap or the open shadow gap style of boards, making it possible to have everything from a seamless facade to one which features striking undulations and shadow lines.
When used for traditional or coastal homes, popular colours are light tones, such as cream, soft greys and greens. At the other end of the spectrum, horizontal cladding in dark colours like black, deep brown or grey provides a very modern, sculptural feel.
The creative use of cladding can change the character of a house
Another way to use horizontal cladding to great visual effect is to combine it with other materials. It could be installed on an upper fl oor with brick or render on the lower fl oors or with areas of extensive glazing. Contrasting horizontal cladding with metal detailing that integrates with the cladding boards can work well for a distinctive design that is contemporary and chic.
GROWING TREND FOR VERTICAL CLADDING Historically vertical cladding has been used for commercial and agricultural buildings but vertical cladding is becoming more popular for unique, contemporary, or minimalist designs for residential buildings. This style works particularly well with narrow houses, barn-style homes, modern designs and garden structures. It also complements natural surroundings with tall trees.
With vertical cladding, as with horizontal, there is a variety of materials, colours and fi nishes to choose from. Popular materials include wood, composite and fi bre cement. ertical boards, as with horizontal, are available in varied widths and the fi nish can be fl at with no apparent joints or one with open joints which emphasises shadow. Black and other dark colours can give a bold, modern appearance which can be a dramatic choice. An example is a new house in Ireland with a completely black exterior. The owners wanted the house to be minimalistic and unique and chose to have black Cedral fi bre cement cladding installed vertically above black render. Dark vertical cladding can work well for impact with an extension, as at a house in Hertfordshire, where vertical panels of Cedral fi bre cement in black were used to create a strikingly modern fi nish
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