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Building elements

Cladding

Cladding is the outer skin of a building, such as timber boards, panels, render or brick slips, which protects the wall from the weather and gives the facade its look.

Also known as facade cladding, external cladding, timber cladding, siding, weatherboarding

Cladding is usually fixed to battens over the wind barrier, leaving a ventilated gap that lets rain drain away and the wall behind dry out. It is the rainscreen rather than the weather seal: the layers behind it provide the airtightness.

Timber cladding is common on timber-framed houses in Scandinavia and increasingly elsewhere, and it can be fitted in the factory so the wall arrives finished. Joints between elements are then closed on site with loose boards.

Related terms
Wind barrierA wind barrier is the layer on the outside of the insulation that stops wind blowing through it while letting moisture escape. Closed panelA closed panel is a prefabricated wall or roof element that leaves the factory boarded on both faces, with insulation and often windows, services and cladding fitted. BattenA batten is a thin strip of timber fixed across a roof or wall to carry tiles, cladding or a ventilation gap.
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