Lisa Grosse at Cedral discusses the benefits and design possibilities of horizontal and vertical cladding styles.
Did you know that you can fit 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 specific 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 fixings. Natural or painted timber, composite boards, fibre cement, metal and PVC are common materials, each with its own properties. Horizontal boards are available in shapes such as flush-fitting 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.
Another way to use horizontal cladding to great visual effect is to combine it with other materials. It could be installed on an upper floor with brick or render on the lower floors 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 finishes to choose from. Popular materials include wood, composite and fibre cement. Vertical boards, as with horizontal, are available in varied widths and the finish can be flat 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 fibre 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 fibre cement in black were used to create a strikingly modern finish against the home’s brick exterior and the greenery of the garden. Vertical cladding in a bold colour such as red or yellow can also be a creative choice for a garden room.
Another approach is to ‘mix and match’ by using horizontal cladding on the main walls and vertical cladding on areas such as the entrance or gables to add texture and contrast.
WEATHER PROOF, EASY TO INSTALL & BUDGET FRIENDLY?
While both orientations will completely protect your home from water ingress, they require different installation methods. Horizontal sidings are typically installed from bottom to top, with each next weatherboard covering the top of the plank underneath it, creating a cascade system to keep the rain away from the facade. With a vertical installation, the weatherboards are lined up vertically next to each other, covering the facade. To ensure the flow of air the vertical battens need to be installed first, then horizontal battens installed on top to which the vertical sidings are then attached.
There is also a difference in how the two arrangements of cladding handle water. Because the vertical design leaves fewer joints where the water can infiltrate when it runs down the facade, it can be seen as more effective for a rainy location. This is heavily preferred in areas with continuous, driving rain. With horizontal cladding water can sit on the overlaps of horizontal cladding. However, if installed properly, this shouldn’t be an issue.
A ventilated rainscreen cladding system is applicable whether the cladding is installed vertically or horizontally. It’s important to have a 30mm ventilation gap behind the boards. This airflow allows any trapped condensation to dry rapidly, protecting the primary wall from damp.
Horizontal cladding is generally quicker and easier to install, needing just a single-battening system while vertical cladding requires a double-battening system which can increase complexity and cost. While horizontal cladding may be less expensive, in particular because of the labour, a facade of vertical cladding remains an affordable option, especially when taking into account the lifespan and maintenance costs of the material of the weatherboards.
Lisa Grosse is brand manager at Cedral