A popular choice for finishing the outside of your roof-level extension, loft conversion cladding serves a dual purpose. As well as creating an aesthetic exterior that can contrast or complement your existing home, it also creates a weatherproof finish to protect the inside.
But, with a wide range of options available to choose from, how do you pick the right type of loft conversion cladding, are there any constraints on using it and what mistakes should you avoid when selecting the right finish?
Find out what a leading architect and director of a specialist loft conversion company advise, so you can be confident you make the right decisions regarding cladding materials for your loft conversion.
What to consider when choosing loft conversion cladding
While it's easy to fall in love with architecturally striking loft conversion ideas, where contemporary cladding for example is used to complete a stunning extension, choosing it isn't just about cherry-picking something you find visually appealing and hoping for the best.
Instead it's a balancing act between aesthetics, practicality, ensuring your loft conversion cladding works on your existing home, and doesn't disrupt the surrounding environment in a negative way.
All these elements need to be considered before making your final choice, and which order you tackle them in may come down to who you speak to first about your plans..
"It’s always a balance between aesthetics and performance but if I had to prioritise, the practical considerations come first," says Rob Wood, Simply Loft’s director. "Cladding isn’t just about how the loft looks; it plays a key role in weatherproofing, insulation performance, longevity and maintenance.
"That said, appearance absolutely matters," he continues. "A loft conversion should feel like a natural extension of the existing property. The right cladding can either help it blend in seamlessly or create a striking architectural feature, depending on the homeowner’s goals and the style of the house."
So what does an architect say when asked how do you choose loft conversion cladding?
"There are many practical materials for loft conversion cladding, but our approach starts with considering what will work best within the existing built context – reference found materials on the original building – and what materials work best to reinforce the design ideas we are pursuing in the scheme," says Tom Shelswell, senior associate at William Tozer Associates.
"For example, often a loft conversion will for part of a larger house refurbishment and extension project, and we might choose materials that complement or match new elements found elsewhere (rear ground floor extensions, for example)," he continues. "It can be interesting to pick up on background materials found in the original building for example, and foreground these in the new loft conversion too."
Rob and Helen Wood set up The Simply Construction Group in 2008. They sought to professionalise the stressful and disorganised construction industry. Initially setting up the brand Simply Extend, the Simply Construction Group has grown to include Simply Loft, Simply Basement and Simply Architects.
Tom Shelswell is a British-qualified architect and a graduate of the Bartlett School of Architecture at UCL. He oversees William Tozer Associates’s London and International projects and has substantial experience in residential and commercial projects. He also ran the Aggregate House project which won a Daily Telegraph Award for best Remodel/Extension.
Types of loft conversion cladding
When it comes to house cladding ideas, there are a whole host of options to choose from, but are you faced with the same variety when selecting loft conversion cladding?
There are certainly plenty of choices, says Rob Wood, listing the following as candidates for your mood board:
- Tile hanging (clay or concrete) – very common, especially when matching existing roof tiles
- Natural slate or artificial slate – great for traditional homes
- Timber cladding – popular for a contemporary look, though it requires maintenance
- uPVC cladding – low-maintenance and cost-effective, but less premium aesthetically
- Composite cladding – durable and increasingly popular due to low upkeep
- Zinc or aluminium – often used in modern designs for a sleek finish
- Render systems – sometimes used on larger loft conversions
However, there's also some practicalities to take into mind, not least of all the fact that your loft conversion cladding won't be as easy to access as a ground level single storey extension exterior for example.
"Taking a typical dormer roof extension, these are most often a timber-frame structure. You are therefore most likely to use a sheet material (for example, small format slate tiles or large-format zinc metal cladding) to act as the rainscreen or exterior protection," says Tom Shelswell, "or breathable waterproof membrane over an insulated timber frame.
"Robust materials are essential given the exposed nature of the location, and difficult access for future maintenance. The weight of the material is also a key consideration given it’s location," he adds, "with lighter-weight materials more favourable, in order to minimise the impact on structural loads, and to ease the installation of the cladding."
Ultimately, as well as aesthetics and practicalities, "the loft conversion cladding choice depends on budget, property style, planning constraints, and how much maintenance the homeowner is prepared to commit to," notes Rob Wood.
Matching your cladding and type of loft conversion
But what about the type of loft conversion you are building? From velux loft conversions to dormer loft conversions and mansard loft conversions there's a whole host of shapes, designs and formats to consider too. Does one type of loft conversion cladding work better than another or is there a one size fits all approach?
Both our experts agree that it's important to not take a uniform approach to choosing your loft conversion cladding. The reality is while you may love how a certain type of cladding looks, it might not suit your proposed rooftop room.
"The proportions and massing of the loft conversion need to be considered, and these will determine the format of the cladding," explains Tom Shelswell. "Larger-format cladding may work better on more complex and larger forms, to simplify the appearance and avoid looking to heavy or cluttered for example.
"Mansard roof conversion will often be required to match the existing roof finish of the host property and surrounding area too," he adds, "whereas a standalone dormer extension outside of a conservation area may be clad in a material that treats the structure as a new, modern intervention, whilst remaining sympathetic to the host property."
"Dormer loft conversions often use lightweight cladding systems because of structural considerations," continues Rob Wood. "Materials like hanging tiles, slate, or composite cladding are common choices for dormer cladding.
"In conservation areas or on period properties however," he notes, "we often match the existing materials, such as natural slate or clay tiles, to ensure the dormer doesn’t look out of place."
Planning and building regulations considerations
Of course, as well as practicalities and personal preferences, when it comes to any type of house extension idea or exterior makeovers, there's also the issue of planning permission and loft conversion building regulations to take into account. Choosing your loft conversion cladding isn't just a decision made by you, your architect and or contractor. There will likely be other parties involved in the process too.
"Planning considerations can heavily influence your choice," confirms Rob Wood. "If the loft conversion falls under permitted development, there are rules about materials being “similar in appearance” to the existing house. That can limit how adventurous you can be.
"In conservation areas or on listed buildings, material choice becomes even more restricted," he warns, "and may require specific approvals.
"From a building regulations perspective, fire performance is also a big consideration – especially in attached or semi-detached loft conversions," continues Rob. "Certain cladding materials must meet fire resistance standards, and that’s something we always factor in at the design stage."
So how can you arm yourself with some foresight on whether your loft conversion cladding will be under extra scrutiny?
"The main planning considerations will depend on the approach taken and location of the property," explains Tom Shelswell, expanding on the points Rob makes about permitted development.
"Outside of conservation areas, on single dwelling houses, you might look to construct a roof extension through permitted development rights, which require that the materials used are similar to those found in the construction on the exterior of the existing building.
"Within conservation areas, where the permitted development rights for roof extension are removed, the context and character of the surrounding area needs to be considered in more detail, and an approach agreed with the local authority conservation officer."
In general, regardless of the type of house and loft conversion you are considering, it's always best to contact your local planning officer in advance and discuss your ideas. You can also take a look at the surrounding properties and see what cladding is used on any loft conversions, as this may give you some indication of what will and won't be signed off.
Loft conversion cladding mistakes to avoid
Given your loft conversion cladding will impact your loft conversion costs, and getting it wrong could lead to both cost and time delays, it's also important when planning any home improvement project to be aware of the pitfalls before you start.
So how do the experts recommend you avoid making loft conversion cladding mistakes?
"As touched upon above, a key consideration is making sure you understand the robustness of the material," says Tom Shelswell. "Timber and painted finishes need to be well-prepared and protected to minimise the ongoing maintenance requirements. Exposure to sun and rain also require materials that are not prone to discolouration or weathering in an inappropriate manner that might affect the appearance or performance of the material," he adds.
Rob Wood also encourages clients to consider similar issues, encouraging them not to be swayed by cost, neglecting the reality of longevity in the process.
"One of the biggest mistakes we see is homeowners choosing purely on cost without considering long-term performance and maintenance," he confirms. "Another mistake is failing to think about how the dormer will look from different angles. A loft conversion is highly visible, especially from the rear, and poor material choices can make it look like an afterthought rather than a well-designed extension."
Still in the process of deciding if a loft conversion is the best way to extend a home? Find out what experts say in the loft conversion vs extension debate, and if you're working to a tight time schedule, make sure you also understand how long does a loft conversion take to ensure any loft conversion cladding choices you make, won't impact your timeline.
