Spruced-up outdoor living is now in, with this year’s building trends showing a lot of homeowners redesigning their home exteriors with fresh new cladding. If you want to hop on the latest cladding trends and re-clad your home, it’s top priority to first find a cladding material that fits your aesthetic vision and withstands WA’s rains and shines. But with all the house cladding options—from timber to various types of composite materials—how do you know which is the right one for you? Read our comprehensive guide on cladding, exploring the benefits of composite cladding in Perth vs timber cladding and more to find the best choice for you.
Why cladding material choice is important for Perth homes
Your exterior cladding is one of the first things people see when they walk past your home. More than that, it’s also your first line of defence against environmental factors, which can affect the longevity of your home.
Aesthetics
Your home’s facade can actually have a big impact on the value and overall aesthetic of your home. As such, you’d want to choose a cladding material that’s great to look at and reflects your style. The cladding sets the vibe of your home, and can make it either clean and minimalist, or natural and cosy, depending on what you pick.
Protection
Cladding is your first line of defence against environmental factors. It shields your home interior from heavy rains and scorching heat. Your material choice, as such, will affect your home’s ability to withstand wear and tear and prolong its structural integrity.
Energy efficiency
Different cladding materials have differing benefits. Some materials improve your house’s thermal performance by providing an added thermal barrier. As such, your cladding material choice can help maintain stable indoor temperatures and help bring down energy use.
Costs
Depending on the material used, cladding can be pricey. But more than upfront costs, cladding material can also affect the money you shell out for installation and long-term. Cladding material that’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and durable can offset this, allowing you to save more in the long run.
Composite Cladding vs Timber Cladding
Among all of the available cladding options in the market, timber and composite cladding materials are perhaps two of the most commonly used. These are pretty standard house cladding options, as they are not only stylish but are also widely accessible and affordable.
Composition & Benefits of Timber Cladding
Timber cladding, as its name suggests, is made from a range of wood species. These can be sourced from softwoods like cedar or pine, or from hardwoods like walnut or oak. There is also timber cladding made from modified wood, which is actual wood that is processed with high heat or steam. This process alters wood’s cellular structure, enhancing its stability and durability.
Timber as a cladding material remains popular since wood has natural thermal insulation properties that help with energy efficiency. It can also be an environmentally-friendly choice if the timber used is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Since wood is an organic material, it requires regular attention to maintain its appearance and structure. Its maintenance can be costly in terms of time and money as it needs to be cleaned, re-stained, oiled, or painted often.
Composition & Benefits of Composite Cladding
Composite materials, on the other hand, are made by combining different elements, either synthetic or natural, resulting in a durable product. In terms of cladding, there are two most common types of composite materials used: composite timber and fibre cement.
Composite timber cladding panels are usually made of wood fibres bound and reinforced by plastic. They’re engineered to look like natural wood but with enhanced resistance against fire, moisture, mould, termites, and staining—common elements that regular timber is weak to.
Meanwhile, fibre cement cladding is a blend of water, cement, sand, and cellulose fibres made from recycled paper or wood pulp. Because of its components, it’s likewise invulnerable to rain, rot, mould, fire, and pests.
Given the properties and benefits of composite cladding, it’s becoming an increasingly popular alternative to timber cladding among WA homeowners. Since they’re not easily damaged by environmental factors, upkeep can be easy and minimal, depending on the quality of the chosen composite exterior cladding brand.
To sum it up, below is a side-by-side comparison of the benefits of composite cladding vs timber cladding:
| Features | Regular Timber Cladding | Composite Cladding |
| Fire-resistance | Needs flame-retardant treatment; not suitable for BAL-rated zones | Yes, some are even certified for specific BAL-rated applications |
| Water & moisture-resistance | Needs thermal modification or protective coatings for waterproofing | Designed to be weatherproof or highly water-resistant |
| Rot & mould resistance | Needs waterproofing and wood preservatives to prevent decay and mould | Resistant to decay and mould due to moisture resistance |
| Termite-resistance | No, but some wood species offer a level of termite resistance | Made out of materials inedible to termites |
| Thermal performance | Good at resisting heat transfer | Can reduce heat transfer depending on the material components |
| Style & appearance | Great for contemporary, traditional, and rustic panelled designs | Can be adapted to suit a range of styles—from modern industrial to traditional barn— beyond panelled installations. |
Recommended exterior cladding alternatives to timber cladding
NewTechWood Composite Timber Cladding
If you’re looking for an external timber-look cladding for your home, NewTechWood offers a wide range of composite timber options. Made from recycled plastics and reclaimed timbers, NewTechWood is a sustainable option for those wanting the look and feel of real wood without its vulnerabilities.
Key Benefits:
- All-around protection: Fully-capped against UV, fading, moisture, insects, and warping
- Eco-friendly: Made from 95% recycled material
- Low maintenance: no sealing, sanding, oiling, or painting needed
- Aesthetic variety: wide range of styles, colours, and profiles to choose from
James Hardie Fibre Cement Cladding
Already a household name for many architects, builders, and DIYers in WA, James Hardie cladding products are also a great alternative to timber cladding. Made in Australia, James Hardie fibre cement has all the benefits of composite cladding and more. Guaranteed durable, it’s engineered to last in our local climate against harsh natural elements for years to come.
Key Benefits:
- Durable: Resistant to moisture, termites, and mould.
- Fire-resistant: Non-combustible and suitable for up to BAL 40 applications
- Low maintenance: pre-sealed or pre-primed and holds on well to colour
- Versatile design: comes in a wide range of sizes and textures, ready to paint in your chosen shade
Boost your curb appeal with quality house cladding options
Ready to give your home exterior an upgrade? Whether you’re going for a modern farmhouse look or a mixed minimalist design, we’re here to help you out. From external timber-look cladding to minimalist concrete textures, Westgyp stocks a wide range of high-quality cladding options. Browse through our collection of NewTechWood or James Hardie cladding on our site or visit our Balcatta warehouse to learn more.