With more intense sunshine, higher temperatures and increased radiation, the UK renovation and homebuilding sector is having to re-evaluate material choices to ensure that homes are more resilient.
While most building materials are designed to withstand some degree of expansion and contraction, excessive heat can push these materials beyond their limit. Heat or over exposure to sunlight can result in warping and bulging, and can even affect the structure. Expansion and contraction on the building’s fabric can also affect the quality of the indoor environment.
We are also seeing more rainfall and higher wind speeds which could potentially compromise a roof’s durability and result in higher future maintenance costs.
Why choose Cedral
Housebuilders are increasingly judging materials for their thermal performance, compatibility with low energy homes, maintenance and lifecycle cost and value. Fibre cement is a strong choice for new builds as well as for retrofits and renovations. It offers a robust, regulation-ready solution fit for today’s built environment.
Fibre cement cladding acts like a second skin on a building’s exterior. It is frost, mould and water resistant to protect against the elements. A ventilated facade such as the Cedral ventilated rainscreen system can help support a building’s energy efficiency enabling the rapid drying of external walls, reducing condensation and humidity. A ventilated wall also reduces structural movement of the building and extends the lifetime of the facade.
Cedral’s advantages include:
- Fire-resistant: Cedral products are Class 0 and EN 13501-1 fire performance classified to A2-s1, d0 which is one of the best classification ratings that can be achieved.
- Low maintenance and resistant to rot and warping: Fibre cement doesn’t rot or rust and lasts longer than traditional cladding materials. Thanks to its thermal stability it will not warp or crack under high temperatures.
- Stands up to the harshest weather conditions: Fibre cement can withstand severe frosts, torrential rain, high heat and direct sunlight and has a minimum life expectancy of 50 years.
- Light–weight building material: With the layered production and fibre matrix supporting the cement, fibre cement roof slates are thinner than concrete, but have the same performance benefits.
- Style and creativity for a home’s exterior: Cedral cladding and roofing is available in a wide range of finishes and colour choices. Boards can be mounted vertically or horizontally to create a range of looks, from country cottage to bold contemporary styling. Cedral roofing slates are available in square or dressed edges, smooth or textured finishes.
- CCPI accreditation: Cedral Sidings have been CCPI assessed and certified.
Sustainable housing development winner with Cedral
Cedral is committed to supporting housebuilders with cladding and roofing solutions for beautiful homes. An example is with an award-winning Park Lanneves housing development in Bodmin, Cornwall which uses horizontal Cedral cladding in platinum grey. The brief for the development, a mix of two, three and four bedroomed houses and one bed apartments, was for a contemporary look that would be smart and stylish. When contractors, Triple D Construction, took on the scheme, a different type of cladding had already been specified for the upper part of the exteriors. However, Daniel Williams, Director at Triple D Construction recommended using Cedral cladding instead.
“We had just used Cedral on a previous development, Hays Commons Development in Launceston, and the cost comparison was negligible. We knew how to use it, we knew the Cedral representatives and installers, and we knew it was a good system that we’d never had issues with.”
Designed to withstand the elements without regular repainting or treatment, Cedral is a practical and long-lasting alternative to traditional wood cladding.
“Cornwall can have severe weather and there aren’t many low maintenance products for residential properties,” says Daniel. “We used the cladding from just above the ground-floor windows to the top of the building, so there shouldn’t be any need for scaffolding during maintenance periods. You can clean it from below and it should only need minimal attention. That’s why we chose it.”
Using certified Cedral Select installers, Westclad, to fit the cladding gave the client the warranties they required. As long as Cedral cladding is fitted to the manufacturer’s recommendations, a Cedral facade has a 10 year product guarantee.
The development is already a big hit, winning the sustainable development of the year award at Insider South West Residential Property Awards 2025.