SPOTLIGHT ON EXTERIOR CLADDING
When Tom found an image of TECU brass cladding, sourcing a cheaper alternative for the box dormer became ‘a bit of an obsession’ according to Esther. At the time, only commercial companies were using such materials on large-scale builds and the minimum order quantity was 10 times what Esther and Tom needed, so no firms were interested in the job. However, Esther came across Lindas Group, who supplied a less-costly precoated aluminium standing seam cladding in Inca Gold. It looks like brass but was half the price at £4,000 for materials and labour. “Historically, on a lot of residential projects we’ve had issues finding people who are prepared to fit the standing seam application,” says Izzy Swain of Swain Architecture. “But Lindas were brilliant and we’ve worked with them a lot since then.” If you’re planning a loft conversion and want the work to fall under Permitted Development, a lot of planners expect you to match any new materials to the existing ones, which will often mean slate tiles. However, there are several other options for exterior cladding on a box dormer. Timber cladding is considered a more budget-friendly option, but Izzy says skimping on a cheaper wood would be shortsighted as it would require more maintenance. “Cedar, ash or Accoya are good options, as long as you’re happy with the way they age,” she says. “Or consider a heat-treated Scandinavian softwood cladding, like Thermowood.” Timber alternatives include fibre cement board and composite cladding, both of which have a woodgrain eect.