Sector Focus: Cladding & Shingles | 33
QUALITY BUILDS DEMAND
Timber cladding’s future depends on getting it right, writes Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) Director of Strategy, Communications and Membership Development Laura Qualters
If we go by market sentiment, there is optimism in the cladding sector based on the steady, solid growth experienced in recent years.
The UK timber cladding market in 2025 remained stable, with steady growth across both commercial and residential sectors. While demand has not surged dramatically, there is a continuous upward trend, reflecting a growing openness to timber as a sustainable and aesthetically appealing building material. Commercial projects such as schools, sports halls, and local authority buildings continue to drive sales, alongside emerging interest from residential new build.
PRODUCT TRENDS Across profiles, species and finishes, the market is showing a clear preference for solutions that look natural, perform reliably and age beautifully. Black is a popular colour but requires special care and attention due to its propensity to absorb heat from the sun. Specialist coatings are available which can help counter this. Charred cladding is one way to achieve a black finish, and buyers clearly love the aesthetic. However, claims of significantly improved durability beyond that of base species used are difficult to substantiate.
Good durability, sustainability and low maintenance remain primary drivers of cladding demand. To maintain growth the industry must ensure it continues to deliver to these basic requirements without compromise.
Sustainability is central to specification decisions. Certification, alongside promotion is increasingly standard while there are also opportunities in clearly communicating timber’s whole-lifecycle environmental benefits to specifiers and end-users. Innovation in the timber cladding sector continues to focus on combining natural beauty with enhanced performance, addressing market demand and regulatory requirements. Focus is particularly concentrated on long term durability, increasingly using modification, coatings and treatments to improve longevity while maintaining timber’s natural aesthetics.
subcontracted. This includes maintaining Factory Production Control (FPC), issuing Declarations of Performance (DoPs), and applying CE or UKCA marks.
• Third-Party Assessment: Enhanced fire performance claims trigger stricter
assessment levels (from System 2+ to System 1), requiring independent verification of testing, production, and documentation.
• Treatment Providers’ Role: Flame retardant treatment providers do not take on
manufacturer responsibility but must ensure treatment aligns with approved formulations and fire test evidence. This makes developing a strong partnership between the supplier and treatment provider essential.
Above: Prowood’s Western red cedar cladding at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool
There is also an increasing focus on fire performance and regulatory compliance. Specifiers, developers and insurers are paying closer attention to fire safety, and compliance with UK regulations plays an important role in product selection, project planning and overall market confidence.
This brings with it a responsibility on cladding suppliers to ensure products meet the full requirements of the Construction Product Regulation (CPR), especially for FR- treated products.
CPR COMPLIANCE
The CPR defines legal responsibilities for timber cladding products, particularly those treated for enhanced fire performance. Recent regulatory activity has reinforced that suppliers are accountable for ensuring compliance, including through performance declaration, product marking, and traceability. Key points:
• Supplier Responsibility: The company placing Flame Retardant cladding on the
market is considered the manufacturer under CPR, even if treatment is
To help the sector navigate these challenges, TDCA, in collaboration with Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA), have made available industry guidance notes and tools – which can be found as the Flame Retardant Treated Wood resources on the WPA website (
www.thewpa.org.uk/resources- for-flame-retardant-wood) .
As the voice of the timber decking and cladding sector, the Timber Decking & Cladding Association (TDCA) is encouraging members and the wider timber cladding sector to review their responsibilities and ensure that only timber cladding products which are in full compliance with the CPR are placed on the market. We are also pleased to report that a new guidance document explaining the requirements of the CPR for timber and wood-based products has recently been published by Timber Development UK in partnership with the TDCA. The new Timber Cladding Handbook is a go-to resource, providing clear, information for specifiers, buyers and installers. Covering material selection, design, installation and regulation compliance. The publication is available from
www.tdca.org.uk.
Despite challenges, the timber cladding
market is poised for steady, sustainable growth, but only if all our suppliers meet legal obligations and customer expectations.
www.ttjonline.com | Spring 2026 | TTJ
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