Extension Exterior Finishes
Designing an extension or new home? Here are Pros and Cons of five exterior house finishes.
1. Facing Brickwork
Facing Brickwork Pros
- Looked upon well by planning in most cases
- Low maintenance
- Huge amount of style options
- Flexible in appearance (mortar colour etc.)
- Simple construction
- Durable
Facing Brickwork Cons
- Cost can vary from style to style
- Time-consuming and labour intensive
- Will discolour and ‘weather’ over time
Approximate cost per square metre: £50
2. Render
Render Pros
- Can be painted any colour
- Uniform finish
- Quick
- Can be applied to any shape or form
Render Cons
- Requires annual maintenance
- Over time will crack and degrade
- Requires re-doing periodically
Approximate cost per square metre: £60
3. Fibre Cement Weatherboard (HardiePlank©)
HardiePlank® Pros
- 10-year guarantee
- Very hard wearing
- Contemporary look
- Maintenance free
- Lots of colour options
- Environmentally Friendly
HardiePlank® Cons
- High labour cost to install
Approximate cost per square metre: £70
4. Timber Composite Cladding
Timber Composite Cladding Pros
- Very hard-wearing
- Contemporary look
- Long guarantee
- Maintenance-free
- Soft natural look
- Carbon neutral manufacturing process
Timber Composite Cladding Cons
- High labour cost to install
- Expensive
Approximate cost per square metre: £100
5. Hardwood Timber
Hardwood Timber Pros
- Natural material
- Contemporary look
- Versatile in finish
- Longevity of product
- Naturally fire-resistant
Hardwood timber Cons
- Annual upkeep required
- High labour cost to install
Approximate cost per square metre: £90
