HOW-TO GUIDES
How to install cladding
Updated 08/26
By: Content Team
Reviewed: Alex Peters
Timber cladding is a popular way to update the look of a home, inside and out, and it's a relatively sustainable choice too. This guide covers how to install both external and internal timber cladding, plus the planning and building regulations you'll want to check before you start.
Whether you need planning permission before you start
The step-by-step process for external and internal cladding
How to finish corners and choose horizontal vs vertical fixing
What building regulations apply
How much professional cladding installation costs
When to bring in a carpenter or builder instead
Do you need planning permission for cladding?
For most houses, external cladding falls under permitted development, provided the new material looks broadly similar to your existing exterior.
However, permission is very likely required if your home is in a conservation area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a National Park, or is a listed building, and also if the cladding would significantly alter the appearance of an elevation facing a road. If you're unsure, check with your local planning authority before ordering materials.
Regardless of planning permission, external cladding still needs to meet building regulations, covering fire safety, moisture resistance and, for timber specifically, a continuous damp proof course at least 150mm above ground level.
For most houses, standard cladding materials meet these requirements without issue; stricter fire safety rules mainly affect taller or multi-occupied buildings.
If your project is anything other than a straightforward like-for-like re-clad on a standard house, it's worth a quick call to your local planning authority. It's a lot cheaper to check first than to remove and redo cladding that turns out to need permission.
Find a cladding specialist near you
Tools and materials you'll need
Cladding boards
Battens
Cladding pins
Paint or stain for your cladding
A spirit level
Sandpaper
A saw
A hammer and nails
A pencil for marking
How to install external timber cladding
External cladding also needs a house wrap and insulation layer behind it to keep your home warm and prevent energy loss.
Measure your walls and make sure you've ordered enough cladding to cover the full area, plus a little extra for cutting waste.
Fit house wrap over the wall, securing it with a staple gun, then fix foam insulation in place with nails.
Attach battens to the wall using nails.
Fit your first row of cladding boards, working from the bottom of the wall upwards.
Continue up the wall, attaching each board in turn.
Install corner pieces and trims to finish.
Finishing corners on timber cladding
A block of timber cut to the height of your wall makes a neat corner finish. Leave a 90-degree angle at the end of each wall as you clad, then nail the corner block in place to fill the gap cleanly.
Check every board with a spirit level as you go. It's much easier to correct a slight lean after one board than after ten.
Horizontal vs vertical cladding
The fixing method depends on which way your cladding boards run:
Vertical cladding needs horizontal battens fitted first
Horizontal cladding needs vertical battens fitted first
Beyond that, the installation process is much the same either way.
How to install internal cladding
Let it acclimatise - Lay the cladding out close to where it'll be installed and leave it for around two weeks before fitting, so it settles to the room's humidity and temperature.
Prep the wall - Strip any wallpaper, remove skirting boards and shelves, and check the wall can support the extra weight. If the plaster underneath is crumbling or damaged, sort this out before cladding goes up.
Fit the battens - Position the first batten just above the skirting board line, then fix horizontal battens with roughly 40cm gaps between each.
Treat the cladding - Check it's clean and dust-free, then treat or finish it now if needed; it's much easier before the boards are on the wall.
Cut to size - Measure your wall height, trim the cladding with a saw, and sand any jagged edges smooth.
Fix in place - Attach each board with cladding pins and a hammer, checking level with a spirit level as you go, nailing through into the battens.
Slot boards together - Fit each new piece into the previous one, checking level frequently, then nail in place.
Reinstall skirting and fittings - Put skirting boards, shelves and pictures back once the cladding is complete.
Don't paint into the indents where cladding boards slot together; this can cause fitting problems later if you ever need to add or replace a board.
Should you install cladding yourself, or hire a professional?
Installing cladding is achievable for a confident DIYer, but it's not a beginner-friendly job, especially externally, where mistakes can affect weatherproofing and insulation performance. A professional will typically get the job done faster and to a higher standard, and can also advise on planning permission and building regulations specific to your property.
House cladding cost UK: 2026 price guide
If you’re looking to weatherproof your home, or add an outer layer of insulation, you might want to install (or replace) cladding. In this house cladding cost guide, we’ll talk you through the average costs for the different types of house cladding in the UK. Not only can cladding improve the physical condition of your home and save you money on your energy bills, it can also give it a fresh new look for a relatively low cost. Goodbye shabby chic, hello sleek and stylish home.
How much does professional cladding installation cost?
As a guide, installing uPVC cladding on a single wall typically costs around £80 per m2.
Thermowood cladding, which is pressure and heat-treated for better weather resistance, costs around £42.50 per m2 to install.
See our house cladding cost guide and thermowood cladding cost guide for full pricing.
Checklist before you start
Before installing cladding
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FAQs
Nails are the most secure fixing method for timber cladding. Wood adhesive is an option for internal cladding but is less durable and shouldn't be used externally.
Around 40cm between battens generally gives good support, though always check the manufacturer's guidance for your specific cladding product.
Yes, though it's a more involved DIY job than it might first appear, particularly outdoors where weatherproofing and insulation are involved. If you're not confident, hiring a professional avoids costly mistakes.
A carpenter or general builder can install most types of timber cladding, depending on the material and scale of the job.
Usually not for a standard house, as it typically falls under permitted development. Conservation areas, listed buildings, and elevations facing a road are more likely to need permission, so check with your local planning authority if you're unsure.
Fire safety, moisture resistance, and (for timber) a damp proof course at least 150mm above ground level are the main requirements for most homes. Stricter fire safety rules primarily apply to taller or multi-occupied residential buildings.
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