Looking for modern exterior cladding ideas that make your home stylish, inviting, and tough enough to handle Perth’s harsh climate? The right cladding doesn’t just define your home’s look—it also protects it from the elements.
Cladding styles have come a long way, with new materials offering both durability and design flexibility. Whether you’re building from scratch or giving your home a facelift, these modern cladding ideas will help you create a standout exterior.
Scandi-Inspired Vertical Cladding
Rising in popularity in recent years, vertical cladding has become the top choice for homeowners seeking to achieve a modern aesthetic for their home. This Scandinavian-inspired style of cladding installation lends a bold yet elegant look that gives off a minimalist vibe. Due to its orientation, it can give an illusion of height, greatly transforming a building’s appearance. The vertical installation of this cladding design also aids with drainage and water penetration, as it follows the direction of rainfall.
To create a virtually striking home, opt for wide cladding featuring square and angled edges like James Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding. This adds highlight and shadows to your facade, adding drama and depth to your home.
Choosing thinner vertical cladding, on the other hand, will bring you a redefined take on the Scandinavian Barn aesthetic. To achieve this, opt for materials like the James Hardie™ Axon™ Cladding, which evokes the textured timber finish.
Sleek Horizontal Cladding
In contrast to vertical cladding, horizontal cladding gives buildings a broader appearance, helping it blend well with its natural surroundings. Though horizontal is the most common and classic choice of installation, you can still construct a clean and contemporary exterior by testing out different types of cladding.
Shiplap cladding materials like the James Hardie™ Stria™ Cladding, for one, feature horizontal grooves that deliver strong, clean lines for your facade. Keep it simple and pared down with monochromatic colours, which will help highlight your home’s structure and shape.
On the other hand, homeowners wanting to construct a modern coastal aesthetic will find that weatherboard cladding is the perfect choice. Overlapped horizontally, weatherboards show deep shadow lines that provide added contrast, especially on sunny days.
Traditionally made from timber, this cladding type is now made with a wide variety of innovative materials. Hardie™ Plank Weatherboard, for example, is made from fibre cement, helping protect your house better, rain or shine.
Panelised Expressed-Joint Matrix Cladding
Another modern exterior cladding idea you can consider is utilising expressed-joint panels for your facade. Featuring sharp grid matrix lines when installed, this exterior cladding is perfect for those who prefer an industrial look for their home.
When using matrix cladding, you can either choose to keep it simple and align the panels perfectly for a clean and sleek exterior. However, you can also opt to play around with placements and sizes to create interesting patterns that catch the eye. Options like James Hardie™ Matrix™ Cladding feature matrix panels that allow you to create a variety of geometrical layouts for your exterior.
Sophisticated Brushed Concrete Cladding
Not a fan of sharp, geometric grids that common cladding styles usually have? Perhaps brushed concrete cladding might be a better option for you. Embedded with the texture of softly brushed concrete, this exterior cladding option gives a unique yet polished look to your home.
Depending on the colour you choose, you can have a home that’s vividly eye-catching or subtly sophisticated. Because of its unique texture, brushed concrete cladding transforms depending on where you view it from. Materials like James Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding provide extra delight as they appear smooth and crisp from afar but are dynamic to the touch up close.
Things to Consider When Choosing Your External Cladding Design
While coming up with exterior cladding ideas for your next home construction project, it’s important to also start thinking ahead to get the most out of your buck. Here are some things to consider to determine which exterior cladding to get for your Perth home:
1. Budget
Exterior cladding prices can vary greatly depending on the style and material you choose. It might be tempting to just opt for the cheapest cladding option in Perth, but at the end of the day, consider the return on investment. Plan ahead and try to project if you’ll be spending more or less on maintenance in the long run.
2. Climate
Consider the Perth climate when finalising your exterior cladding options. It’s best to choose one that can withstand the dry, scorching hot summers as well as the wet winters without shrinking, warping, and swelling.
3. Durability
Since there is now a wide variety of cladding options available in Perth, it’s best to be discerning when it comes to quality. It will be more cost-efficient in the long run if you invest in cladding that’s long-lasting and resistant to rot, moisture, and termite damage. Most importantly, it would be best to go for fire-proof exterior wall cladding that adheres to bushfire attack level requirements in Perth.
4. Installation
Your project timeline and installation should also be considered when choosing your cladding. Cladding that’s easier to install and pre-primed will save you a lot of time and money. Check with distributors as well regarding exterior cladding installation services and costs.
5. Upkeep
Lastly, think ahead and determine the level of maintenance you can provide to your cladding post-installation. It’s recommended to go for materials like fibre cement that require minimal maintenance, as it will save you tons of your time and money. You can also consider checking out if your cladding suppliers offer a warranty with your purchase.
Create a Long-Lasting, Beautiful Home
Choosing your exterior cladding design is a crucial part of your project. Not only will your chosen design create first impressions, but more importantly, it’s going to be your first line of defence in protecting your home. As such, it’s best to go for quality cladding that will stand the test of time.
Ready to plan your project? Check out our wide variety of James Hardie™ fibre cement cladding options that have been tried and tested to be weatherproof, fire-resistant, and durable for years.