There are several alternatives to cedar cladding for a garden building that can offer similar or even better performance and aesthetics. Some popular options include:
- Thermowood: This is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to cedar. It’s made by treating softwood with heat and steam, which increases its durability and resistance to rot and decay. It has a similar appearance to cedar but with a darker, richer hue.
- Accoya: This is another sustainable and durable option made by treating softwood with acetic anhydride, which modifies its cell structure to increase its strength and durability. It has a similar appearance to cedar but with a lighter, brighter color.
- Fiber cement: This is a composite material made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers that can mimic the look of natural wood. It’s highly durable, fire-resistant, and low-maintenance.
- Metal cladding: Metal cladding, such as steel or aluminum, is another durable and low-maintenance option for garden buildings. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes, including wood-effect coatings.
- Brick or stone: If you want a more traditional and permanent look for your garden building, brick or stone cladding can provide excellent durability and insulation. It’s also fire-resistant and low-maintenance, but it’s more expensive and time-consuming to install.
Overall, there are several alternatives to cedar cladding for a garden building that can offer similar or even better performance and aesthetics. Your choice will depend on your personal preference, budget, and the specific needs of your garden building.
- Thermowood:
- Lifespan: 25-30 years or more with proper care.
- Ease of care: Low maintenance. No staining or painting needed, but occasional cleaning may be necessary.
- Thermal values: Thermowood has excellent thermal properties and can help to insulate your garden building. Its thermal conductivity is 0.13 W/mK, which is lower than many other wood species.
- Environmental impact: Thermowood is an eco-friendly option as it’s made from sustainably sourced softwood and doesn’t require chemical treatments.
- Accoya:
- Lifespan: 50 years or more with proper care.
- Ease of care: Low maintenance. No staining or painting needed, but occasional cleaning may be necessary.
- Thermal values: Accoya has good thermal properties and can help to insulate your garden building. Its thermal conductivity is 0.12 W/mK, which is similar to cedar.
- Environmental impact: Accoya is an eco-friendly option as it’s made from sustainably sourced softwood and uses a non-toxic acetylation process.
- Fiber cement:
- Lifespan: 50 years or more with proper care.
- Ease of care: Low maintenance. No staining or painting needed, but occasional cleaning may be necessary.
- Thermal values: Fiber cement has moderate thermal properties and can help to insulate your garden building. Its thermal conductivity is around 0.8 W/mK, which is lower than metal cladding but higher than wood.
- Environmental impact: Fiber cement is not as eco-friendly as wood-based options as it requires significant energy to produce and can release harmful dust during installation.
- Metal cladding:
- Lifespan: 50-60 years or more with proper care.
- Ease of care: Low maintenance. No staining or painting needed, but occasional cleaning may be necessary.
- Thermal values: Metal cladding has poor thermal properties and can conduct heat and cold easily. Its thermal conductivity varies depending on the type of metal, but it’s generally higher than wood or fiber cement.
- Environmental impact: Metal cladding is not as eco-friendly as wood-based options as it requires significant energy to produce and can’t be recycled easily.
- Brick or stone:
- Lifespan: 100 years or more with proper care.
- Ease of care: Low maintenance. No staining or painting needed, but occasional cleaning may be necessary.
- Thermal values: Brick and stone have excellent thermal properties and can help to insulate your garden building. Their thermal conductivity is around 0.7-1.5 W/mK, depending on the type of material and thickness.
- Environmental impact: Brick and stone are not as eco-friendly as wood-based options as they require significant energy to produce and can’t be recycled easily.
Here’s a comparison table of the options:
| Material | Lifespan | Ease of care | Thermal values | Environmental impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermowood | 25-30 yrs | Low | Excellent | Eco-friendly |
| Accoya | 50+ yrs | Low | Good | Eco-friendly |
| Fiber cement | 50+ yrs | Low | Moderate | Not eco-friendly |
| Metal | 50-60+ yrs | Low | Poor | Not eco-friendly |
| Brick/stone | 100+ yrs | Low | Excellent | Not eco-friendly |
As you can see, each material has its own unique set of benefits. We can customise your garden room to suit your style and budget.