Garden room cladding: options and upkeep
The short answer
The main choices are treated softwood (cheapest, needs regular oiling), cedar (naturally durable, weathers to silver), charred larch (dark, striking, low upkeep), thermally modified timber (stable and durable) and composite (least maintenance). In a back garden any of them is allowed; beside the house, the finish must match the house.
Cladding compared
| Cladding | Look | Upkeep | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated softwood | Natural, can be painted | Oil or stain every year or two | Lowest |
| Thermally modified pine | Warm brown, greys over time | Low; oil to keep the colour | Medium |
| Cedar | Rich red-brown, weathers to silver | Low | Higher |
| Charred larch | Black, textured | Low | Higher |
| Composite | Even colour, less natural | Very low; occasional wash | Medium to higher |
The main options
- Treated softwood: pressure-treated pine or spruce. Affordable and easy to paint, but it needs regular treatment in a wet climate.
- Thermally modified timber: heat-treated pine or ash that's more stable and rot-resistant than standard softwood. Several Irish suppliers use it.
- Cedar: naturally rot-resistant and light. Left untreated, it weathers to an even silver-grey.
- Charred larch (shou sugi ban): the surface is burnt to protect it, giving a deep black finish that needs little upkeep.
- Composite: wood fibre and plastic boards. Consistent and very low maintenance, with a more uniform look.
Maintenance
- Check the cladding each spring for splits, loose boards and green growth.
- Clear gutters and keep plants and soil away from the bottom boards.
- Re-oil treated softwood and thermally modified timber as the supplier recommends.
- Let cedar and larch weather naturally if you like the grey look; it doesn't harm them.
Cladding and planning
Under the garden room exemption, a structure at the side of the house must match the house's outside finish. A garden room in the back garden can have any cladding. See the planning rules.
Common questions
What is the best cladding for a garden room in Ireland?
For low maintenance in a wet climate, charred larch, cedar and composite are popular. Treated softwood is cheapest but needs regular oiling or staining. The best choice depends on budget, the look you want and how much upkeep you will do.
Does garden room cladding need to match my house?
Only if the garden room is beside the house. The exemption rules say a structure at the side must match the house's outside finish. In the back garden, any cladding is allowed.
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