External masonry

Cladding

Cladding is an outer layer fixed over a building’s wall structure to provide weather protection, insulation, appearance or a combination of these functions.

Common materials include timber, stone, metal, brick slips, fibre cement and proprietary panels. Some systems are fixed directly, while others form a ventilated rainscreen with a cavity behind.

Cladding is not normally the primary loadbearing wall. Its performance depends on the supporting frame, fixings, membranes, ventilation, flashings and careful detailing around openings and edges.

For an Edinburgh alteration or extension, material choice should consider durability, maintenance, fire performance, exposure and the character of the surrounding building. Planning and technical requirements may also affect the design.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Terraced House Traditional Cottage Georgian Flat Converted Flat Detached House Semi-detached House

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