Cladding Planning

[MikeGrahamT21]

Really need to start planning the final part of the external insulation, which is going to be topped with timber/composite cladding (haven't decided yet).

This is a photo of the area to be clad, its not huge. To the right hand side, the lean to roof meets the soffits, so nothing to match here, but on the left hand side there is the existing EWI i did a few years back, which will be around 100-110mm thick, so the timber cladding needs to be a little bit more, to overlap this, the dream scenario would be the frame behind will be the same depth as the EWI, and then the timber cladding will sit nicely over the EWI for a couple of cm's. And thinking of overlapping the lead flashing below to protect where it enters the brickwork.

 

 

This bit will also get insulated as part of the job (figure I may as well since everything else is done), in case the loft ever gets converted (unlikely but you never know). My initial idea was to use 2 layers of crossing timbers, each layer filled with rockwool insulation, breather membrane, battens and then the final finish cladding.

Do I need anything from a structural engineer for this? BCO are clueless around here, haven't asked for anything, so this is more for my sanity.

 

The floodlight and sensor are already disconnected, and just need removing, the vents are staying for the MVHR.

 

I've approached a few cladding companies, but so far none have even replied, but i'd rather do it myself anyway, least i know its done right then!

 

Any thoughts? Ideas? Comments?

 

Cheers

Mike

[Bonner]

Difficult to visualise without a drawing but you are better off DIY as it’s too small a job for many companies. SE not required nor BC approval.

[markc]

Agree with @Bonner, plus when you say the vents are staying, I presume you intend extending outward through the cladding and not covering over them.

[MikeGrahamT21]

1 hour ago, markc said:

Agree with @Bonner, plus when you say the vents are staying, I presume you intend extending outward through the cladding and not covering over them.

Yes absolutely, they’ll be extended through the cladding.

I got messing with chatGPT yesterday, this is what I’m aiming for

 

 

im probably overthinking it with regards the structure, just want to be sure before I start as I’m going to have to get some scaffolding put up to do it

[Roundtuit]

On 18/05/2026 at 10:17, MikeGrahamT21 said:

This bit will also get insulated as part of the job (figure I may as well since everything else is done), in case the loft ever gets converted (unlikely but you never know). My initial idea was to use 2 layers of crossing timbers, each layer filled with rockwool insulation, breather membrane, battens and then the final finish cladding.

Don't forget to factor-in a ventilated cavity behind the cladding.

[Bancroft]

19 hours ago, Roundtuit said:

Don't forget to factor-in a ventilated cavity behind the cladding.

...and anti-insect mesh?

[MikeGrahamT21]

Noted, the membrane will be behind the battens so will be a 25mm gap for ventilation.

 

Yeah have got some mesh from another job which will be perfect for this

[MikeGrahamT21]

Damn I didn't realise ChatGPT was this capable...

 

 

Admittedly its not 100% perfect, but credit where credit's due! U-Value is wrong, but thats my fault as I didn't tell it that its a cavity walled property. It also has an obsession with the thermally isolated brackets, probably a bit overkill for this really.

Edited Thursday at 08:01 by MikeGrahamT21

[BotusBuild]

That must have taken some serious prompts into ChatGPT. Impressive

[Spinny]

Quick thoughts...

Why not run the cladding horizontally ? Have seen it done that way on gable ends and looking good. Maybe easier to fit that way.

 

Why timber ? Requires maintenance and changes colour. Have you considered fibre-cement type cladding boards.

[MikeGrahamT21]

4 hours ago, Spinny said:

Quick thoughts...

Why not run the cladding horizontally ? Have seen it done that way on gable ends and looking good. Maybe easier to fit that way.

 

Why timber ? Requires maintenance and changes colour. Have you considered fibre-cement type cladding boards.

yeah have considered horizontal, have always had a preference visually for vertical. Think vertical should be easier too as the longest length wouldn’t be even half as long as the widest for horizontal.

 

I got some samples from millboard of their new cladding range, but wasn’t overly keen and they couldn’t guarantee it would last even 10 years but said it should last much longer. I will certainly be looking at cement cladding boards too before I decide. Did consider uPVC but someone across the street from me has it on their dormer and it’s warped and split all over, so that’s out.

 

timber would be hardwood or modified softwood and would then get no further treatment from me, I quite like the silvered look it gains over the years.