How Durable Is Engineered Cladding?

When looking for a viable alternative to timber for cladding the outside of your property, one simple question is likely to arise, how durable is engineered cladding? Simply put, if it doesn’t last why pay the extra hundreds of pounds installing cladding? Engineered timber cladding, or composite cladding as it is more commonly known, has been steadily developed and improved over the course of the last 15 years. Before we answer the question of how durable it is, let’s take a look into the structure of NeoTimber® cladding to see what makes it a hardier alternative to the timber stuff.

Timber cladding is inherently unreliable. It warps very quickly, and is prone to fading, peeling and ultimately rot. This is because it is made of wood, which whilst looking undeniably smart upon its initial installation, can rapidly deteriorate and decompose unless regularly treated and painted with chemical preservatives.

Artificial composite cladding on the other hand takes the best qualities of timber and improves upon it. The process of manufacturing engineered wood cladding involves two key ingredients: wood for strength, texture and rigidity and plastic for flexibility, and water resistance. Combining these two together creates an eco-friendly composite material which is both strong and flexible, looking like wood but resisting moisture.

Composite cladding is engineered by a process of heating up plastic polymers from recycled bottles and other popular plastic items. Once melted, a fine, sawdust fibre is poured in at a ratio of approximately 3:1. This forms a thick, viscous paste, it is then poured into a mould where it is slowly cooled. Dye is then added to the mixture to achieve the desired composite cladding colour tone, added in varying degrees across the boards to create natural colour streaks.

Capped composite clad boards, once cooled, are pushed through a polymer sleeve to give it an extra barrier of protection. Woodgrain patterning is then added via a roller press embossing the surface of the boards. This woodgrain texture is designed to emulate the look and feel of real timber, making it as close-as-possible to the real thing, whilst retaining all the positive benefits of plastic.

Because of how cladding is engineered, it is incredibly durable, and can withstand extremes of hot and cold, resist moisture absorption and any fading from UV rays. This means that it can last for a very long time, without warping, cracking, bending or rotting, retaining its visual quality as well as its structural integrity. NeoTimber® cladding is supplied with a 10-year commercial warranty and a 25-year residential warranty. Our engineering expertise in creating industry-leading decking has given us all the confidence we need to put the same stamp of quality on our composite cladding.

To decide for yourself, order our free NeoTimber® cladding sample pack and do the same with our competitors. Take a look at their product and compare them, you will see that when it comes to quality, looks, performance and price, nobody else comes close!