Exterior Cladding in Ely

How we handle exterior cladding

Exterior Cladding in Ely

Exterior cladding serves two purposes at once: it adds a protective skin to a building's outer walls and it changes how that building looks. Whether a wall is crumbling render, tired brick, or bare blockwork on a new extension, cladding gives it a durable weatherproof face. We fit exterior cladding to homes, commercial premises, farm buildings, schools and community buildings in Ely, Soham, Littleport, Witchford and the surrounding area.

What Exterior Cladding Actually Does

A cladding system is not just a cosmetic panel fixed to a wall. It creates a layered barrier that manages rain, wind and frost. Rainwater that reaches a bare or poorly rendered wall can work into the masonry over years, causing damp, cracked plaster and eroded mortar. A properly installed cladding system channels water away before it reaches the wall structure.

In older properties, the original outer walls were often built with little thought for insulation or weatherproofing. Cladding lets you correct both problems at the same time. A ventilated cavity between the cladding and the wall allows moisture to escape, while a layer of insulation behind the panel improves thermal performance without any internal disruption.

Common Cladding Materials and Where They Work

The material you choose should suit the building type, its exposure and what you want the finished result to look like. Each material has genuine trade-offs worth understanding before you commit.

• Timber cladding: Gives a natural finish and works well on extensions, garden studios and agricultural buildings. It needs treating or staining regularly to hold up against the weather. Hardwood profiles last longer between treatments than softwood boards.
• Fibre cement panels: A solid choice for commercial and industrial buildings. Fibre cement will not rot, holds colour well and is straightforward to clean. It handles impact better than many timber options and carries a lower long-term maintenance burden.
• Metal cladding (steel or aluminium): Used widely on farm buildings, light industrial units and modern commercial premises. Standing seam and box profile systems are both available. Galvanised steel resists corrosion for many years; powder-coated aluminium does not rust at all.
• uPVC and composite boards: Low maintenance and competitively priced. Often used on domestic properties where cost and ease of upkeep matter more than a high-end aesthetic. Modern composite boards have moved a long way from the flat, plasticky look of earlier products.
• Brick slips: Thin brick-faced tiles bonded to a panel or directly to the substrate. They give the appearance of solid brickwork without the weight or the cost of rebuilding. Useful on extensions that need to match an existing brick elevation.

What the Installation Process Involves

Before any panel goes up, the wall needs to be assessed. Damaged render or loose masonry should be made good first - cladding over a weak substrate stores up problems. We check window reveals, door frames and any penetrations such as pipes or cables, because these are the areas most likely to let water in if the detailing is done poorly.

A horizontal or vertical batten frame is fixed to the wall to create the cavity and provide a fixing point for the cladding. On commercial or multi-storey work, the frame design and fixing specification matters more because wind loads are higher. Flashings and trims are fitted around windows, at the top of the cladding run and at junctions with the roof line. These details are where most cladding failures start - water finds any gap in the trim, tracks behind the panel and sits against the wall.

Once panels are fixed, reveals are lined and sealed. The finished result should look clean from every angle, not just from the front.

Commercial and School Buildings

Commercial cladding projects in and around Ely often involve occupied buildings. Work may need to be phased around business hours or planned to avoid disrupting pupils if the building is a school. We can discuss the programme with you before work starts so that disruption is kept to a minimum. Scaffolding requirements for taller buildings will be factored into the price at the quotation stage.

Box profile steel cladding on a steel or timber frame is the most practical solution for barns, machinery stores and grain handling buildings. It goes up quickly, costs less per square metre than most other systems and is straightforward to repair if a panel is damaged.

What a Good Cladding Job Costs

Exterior cladding in the Ely area typically costs between £80 and £200 per square metre installed, depending on the material chosen, the complexity of the elevation and the access required. Timber and uPVC sit towards the lower end; rainscreen systems with insulation and fibre cement panels sit higher. A simple domestic gable on a single-storey extension will cost less to clad than a two-storey commercial frontage with multiple window openings. Get a price based on a site visit rather than an estimate over the phone - the wall condition and fixing requirements can change the figure significantly.

Choosing the Right Contractor for Cladding Work

Exterior cladding is not a job to rush or cut corners on. Poorly detailed junctions let water in, and once damp is behind a panel it can go unnoticed for years before the damage becomes obvious. Ask any contractor you speak to how they handle the detailing at window reveals, roof junctions and corners - a confident, specific answer is a good sign. Ask to see examples of finished work on similar buildings if you can.

We work on cladding projects across Ely, Littleport, Soham and Witchford. If you want a straightforward assessment of what your building needs and a clear price, call us to arrange a visit.