Best Cladding for a Garden Room in 2026.

Choosing cladding for a garden room can feel like a purely aesthetic decision until you consider how it weathers, how much maintenance it needs, and how it will look in ten years’ time.

Cladding plays a big role in durability, upkeep, and how well a garden room continues to complement your home over the long term.

Quick answer: what’s the best cladding?

There isn’t one single “best” option; the right choice depends on your preferences and priorities.

• No maintenance and good value: Fibre cement cladding (such as HardiePlank or VL Plank), offering excellent durability, colour stability, and an A2-s1, d0 fire classification.

• Sharp, contemporary look: Composite slat cladding. This is also no maintenance.

• Natural warmth and character: Real timber (cedar, larch, redwood, or charred larch).

• To match your house: Brick cladding detail.

Garden room cladding trends for 2026 - what's popular

1. Low-maintenance luxury

The biggest shift we’re seeing is towards finishes that look premium without committing homeowners to regular sanding, staining, or repainting. Vertical fibre cement boards and composite slatted cladding are modern and very popular.

2. Warm, natural colours (with a modern edge)

Rather than chasing bold trends, most homeowners are choosing finishes that feel timeless and well balanced:

• Deep charcoals and black

• Soft, natural wood tones, oak and cedar composite, slated cladding

• Earthy neutrals such as warm greys and taupes

The aim is a garden room that feels considered and settled within the garden, not something that dates quickly.

3. Simple forms with subtle detail

While mixed materials can work well, most homeowners still prefer a cohesive overall finish.

What we are seeing more of is:

• Feature front elevations, often using slatted composite cladding

• Clean, single-colour schemes

• A growing preference for vertical cladding, particularly smooth vertical fibre cement boards such as VL Plank

  
  

These details help the building feel architectural without overcomplicating the design.

Maintence Free, Composite, Fibre cement cladding (HardiePlank / VL Plank)

Fibre cement remains one of the most popular choices for garden rooms especially for those looking for a smart, modern look with minimal upkeep.

Why it’s so popular:

• Very low maintenance compared with timber

• Clean, contemporary lines that suit modern glazing

• Excellent durability and colour consistency over time

• Fade-resistant factory-applied finishes

• Strong fire performance (A2-s1, d0 classification)

• Available in 21 colours

  
  

Horizontal vs vertical fibre cement

Both orientations work well — it’s mainly a style choice:

• Horizontal boards feel more classic and can visually widen the building.

• Vertical boards feel more contemporary, these have a smooth finish.

Composite slat cladding

Composite slat cladding is popular with those looking for a design-led, contemporary finish.

It’s particularly popular for:

• Feature walls and front elevations

• Garden rooms with large areas of glazing

• Homes with modern brick, render, or aluminium frames

  
  

The appeal lies in its crisp lines, strong shadow gaps, and premium appearance all without the maintenance expectations of real timber.

Real timber cladding: warmth and character

Timber is much less popular than it once was. It does suit the style of some properties. Incresingly, we are findig customers are choosing a maintenace free alternative. Interestingly, we have seen an increase in Chared Larch cladding, we did 2 buildings like this in 2025 and we'd ever done any before. There are 3 main types of timber cladding:

Cedar

A classic option that provides a high-end, natural finish suited to both modern and traditional homes.

Larch (including charred larch)

Larch offers strong grain and natural character. Charred larch, in particular, is increasingly requested for bold, architectural designs, often paired with dark frames.

Redwood

A solid choice when you want a real-wood finish with a traditional warmth and a more familiar appearance.

Brick cladding

Brick cladding is ideal when the goal is for the garden room to feel like a natural extension of the house.

It’s commonly chosen when:

• The garden room sits close to the main house

• A traditional or timeless appearance is important

• Very low long-term maintenance is a priority

How to choose the right cladding: 5 quick questions

1. How much maintenance do you really want to do? If the answer is “as little as possible”, fibre cement Hardie or composite cladding are perfect.

2. Do you want the cladding to change over time? Timber can weather beautifully if you like a softer, evolving look.

3. What style is your home? Modern homes often suit vertical Hardie Plank VL fibre cement or composite slat cladding; traditional homes often suit timber or brick detail.

4. Is the garden room a feature or meant to blend in? Feature buildings suit darker tones and architectural finishes; subtle designs suit warm neutrals and natural materials.

5. Do you prefer horizontal or vertical lines? This small decision can significantly change the feel and proportions of the building.

FAQs

What’s the most low-maintenance cladding for a garden room? Composite cladding is typically chosen when low maintenance is the main priority.

Does timber cladding always go grey?Most untreated timbers will weather over time. Some homeowners love this natural silvering; others prefer to maintain the original colour with a protective finish.

Horizontal or vertical cladding — which is better?Neither is better. Horizontal tends to feel more classic, while vertical often feels more contemporary.

Can I mix cladding types on one garden room?Yes. A feature wall paired with a simpler main cladding is a popular and effective approach.

The best cladding for a garden room is the one that aligns with your priorities: how you want it to look now, how you want it to age, and how much maintenance fits your lifestyle.

At Cosy Garden Rooms, we design and build fully bespoke garden rooms and can guide you through fibre cement (HardiePlank / VL Plank), composite slats, real timber options, and brick cladding — helping you choose a finish that genuinely suits your home and garden.

Place your garden room order by 31st January 2026 and receive 10% off your entire project.

By securing your project with a deposit this month, you’ll lock in your price and can schedule installation any time up to 30th April 2026.

Don’t just take our word for it; our 5-star Trustpilot reviews reflect the quality, care and service we deliver with every build.

Contact Mark today to discuss your project:

📞 0115 772 2715

✉️ mark@cosygardenrooms.co.uk