My Retreat Garden Rooms · Garden Room Guides

Best Cladding for a Garden Room | Timber, Composite & More Compared

Every cladding option explained honestly — cost, maintenance, durability and what each one actually looks like after five years.

By Kieron Summerhayes, My Retreat Garden Rooms · Updated May 2026

Cladding is the first thing people see when they look at a garden room. It defines the character of the building, how much maintenance it will need, how it ages, and what it will look like in ten years. Getting this decision right matters, and there is a lot of advice online that focuses purely on first impressions without being honest about the long-term reality of each option.

We have fitted every type of cladding listed below on builds across Surrey, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. This is an honest guide based on what we have seen in the field, not a brochure.

Kieron's recommendation

My top two recommendations are Cedar and Ecoscape composite slatted cladding — depending on the look you prefer. Cedar is a stunning natural timber that is hard to beat visually, though it does require oiling every 12 to 18 months to maintain its colour. Ecoscape is a beautiful contemporary composite that requires minimal upkeep and is a great choice if you want the modern slatted look without the maintenance commitment.

For a no-maintenance fibre cement option, Cedral or James Hardie are both excellent at a mid-range price — once fitted, you essentially never need to touch them. If budget is a priority, Thermowood is the most cost-effective option that still performs well outdoors, though like all natural timber it will silver off if not treated regularly.

If budget is not a constraint and you want the best composite money can buy, Millboard is outstanding. Redwood I would avoid for a permanent garden room — most companies will only guarantee it for five years, not ten.

Garden room with recently oiled cedar cladding in Surrey by My Retreat Garden Rooms — A My Retreat garden room with freshly oiled cedar cladding — the rich warm tones of western red cedar at its best.

Quick Comparison: All Cladding Options at a Glance

Supply costs per m² are indicative based on current market rates and were correct at the time of publishing. Installed costs will be higher depending on garden room size, profile, and labour. Prices are a guide only.

Cladding type	Supply cost per m²	Maintenance	Durability	Rating
Millboard composite	£90 – £140+	Very low — wash down only	Excellent	Premium low-maintenance
Ecoscape slatted composite	£55 – £100	Very low — wash down only	Excellent	Top pick
Cedar	£32 – £70	Oil every 12–18 months	Excellent	Top pick
James Hardie / Cedral (fibre cement)	£25 – £55	Very low — occasional clean only	Excellent	No-maintenance fibre cement
Charred larch (Shou Sugi Ban)	£30 – £55	Oil annually	Very good	Statement choice
Larch	£12 – £42	Oil every 12–18 months	Good	Good mid-range
Thermowood	£30 – £50	Oil every 12–18 months or silver naturally	Very good	Cost-effective
Redwood	£8 – £25	Paint or oil regularly	Limited — 5yr guarantee only	Not recommended

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Thermowood

Supply cost: £30 – £50 per m² · Most cost-effective durable timber option

Thermowood is timber that has been heat-treated at very high temperatures rather than chemically treated. The process significantly reduces the moisture content of the wood, which is what causes standard timber to warp, shrink and split over time. The result is a more dimensionally stable board that performs considerably better outdoors than untreated larch or redwood.

It has a deep, warm brown tone when new. Like all natural timber, it will silver off over time if not oiled. Some customers love the silvered look; others prefer to maintain the original colour with an annual treatment. Either is a valid choice, but it is worth deciding upfront as reversing a silvered finish is not straightforward.

Pros

Significantly reduced warping, shrinking and splitting vs larch or redwood
Better durability and decay resistance than untreated timber
Heat-treated rather than chemically treated
Mid-range price — more affordable than cedar or composite
Natural, warm appearance

Cons

Will silver off without oiling every 12–18 months
Very dark tone can feel heavy on large sections without enough glazing to break it up
Still requires a maintenance commitment

Garden room with Thermowood cladding in Dorking Surrey built by My Retreat Garden Rooms — A My Retreat garden room in Dorking with Thermowood cladding — deep warm tones and excellent long-term dimensional stability.

James Hardie Fibre Cement Cladding

Supply cost: £25 – £55 per m² · Best no-maintenance fibre cement option

James Hardie and Cedral are both fibre cement board products that look like timber cladding but are made from cement, sand and cellulose fibres. They do not rot, do not burn, are resistant to moisture and pests, and come pre-finished in a wide range of colours. They are the cladding of choice for customers who want a beautiful finish and genuinely never want to think about upkeep.

The main practical consideration is that it cannot be clad in the factory like timber, as the panels would be too heavy to transport pre-fitted. It has to be cut and fitted on site, and the cut ends need to be painted after cutting. This makes it more labour-intensive to install, which is reflected in the price.

Pros

Extremely low maintenance — occasional clean is all it needs
Resistant to fire, moisture and pests
Will outlast natural timber cladding significantly
Available in 20+ colours and finishes
No oiling, staining or repainting required

Cons

Labour-intensive on-site installation adds to cost
Higher environmental impact than natural timber
Less natural in appearance up close
Cut ends must be painted on site after installation

Garden room with James Hardie grey fibre cement cladding in Surrey by My Retreat Garden Rooms — James Hardie fibre cement cladding — a clean, modern finish that requires virtually no maintenance.

Cedar

Supply cost: £32 – £70 per m² · Most striking natural timber option

Western red cedar is the premium natural timber choice. Its distinctive warm orange-red tone, natural oils that resist decay and insects, and the way it ages make it the most visually impressive natural timber cladding available. It is the most expensive natural timber option, but for customers who want the finest-looking natural build, nothing else quite matches it.

Pros

Distinctive rich orange-red tones when new
Naturally resistant to decay and insects
Renewable resource with low carbon footprint
Ages beautifully with proper maintenance

Cons

Highest cost of the natural timber options
Requires oiling every 12–18 months
Will silver off without treatment like all natural timbers

Ecoscape Slatted Composite Cladding

Supply cost: £55 – £100 per m² · Kieron's top contemporary composite pick

Ecoscape is a composite slatted cladding made from 55% reclaimed wood fibres and 45% recycled HDPE plastic. It gives a striking, contemporary slatted appearance that looks particularly impressive against anthracite grey doors and windows. It carries a 25-year warranty, will not rot, warp, split or fade significantly, and needs nothing more than an occasional wash down to keep it looking good.

Available in six colours from light oak and silver birch through to darker charcoal and argent tones, and installable horizontally or vertically. If you want a modern, design-led look without a long-term maintenance commitment, this is the composite option Kieron would put first.

Pros

Contemporary slatted appearance — very distinctive look
Made from 55% reclaimed wood fibres — ethically sourced
Will not rot, warp, fade or splinter
25-year warranty
Very low maintenance — wash down only
Available in 6 colours, horizontal or vertical

Cons

Higher cost than most natural timber options
Contemporary slatted look is not to everyone's taste
Not identical to natural timber up close

More information at ecoscape.co.uk

Larch

Supply cost: £12 – £42 per m² · Popular all-round timber choice

Larch is one of the most widely used cladding timbers for garden rooms in the UK. It is tougher and more dimensionally stable than redwood, with a warm honey tone when new. Left untreated, it silvers off to a pale grey. Some customers deliberately choose this look; others maintain the original warm tone with regular oiling. Both are valid choices, but decide upfront as reversing a silvered finish is not straightforward.

Pros

Tougher and more stable than redwood
Warm honey tone when new
Ages to a pleasant silver-grey if left untreated
More cost-effective than cedar or composite

Cons

Will shrink and expand seasonally — some movement is normal
Requires oiling every 12–18 months to maintain colour
Less dimensionally stable than thermowood

Garden room with freshly oiled larch timber cladding in Surrey by My Retreat Garden Rooms — Larch cladding freshly oiled — warm honey tones at their best.

Garden room with Ecoscape slatted composite cladding in Surrey by My Retreat Garden Rooms — Ecoscape slatted composite cladding — a contemporary look that requires virtually no maintenance.

Charred Larch (Shou Sugi Ban)

Supply cost: £30 – £55 per m² · The statement cladding choice

Shou Sugi Ban is a Japanese technique of charring the surface of timber to create a deeply textured, near-black finish. The charring hardens the surface, making it more resistant to pests, rot and fire than untreated timber. It is a bold, architectural choice that looks particularly striking with anthracite grey doors and contemporary glazing.

Any cuts made on site expose raw timber underneath, which needs to be charred after cutting to maintain consistency. This makes installation more involved than standard timber cladding and is reflected in the cost.

Pros

Unique, dramatic appearance unlike anything else
Charred surface is more resistant to pests, rot and fire
Lower ongoing maintenance than untreated timber
Works beautifully with contemporary door and window styles

Cons

Higher initial cost than standard larch
Cut ends must be charred on site after installation
Still requires oiling annually
A definite statement choice — not to everyone's taste

Garden room with charred larch Shou Sugi Ban cladding in Surrey by My Retreat Garden Rooms — Charred larch (Shou Sugi Ban) — the most dramatic timber cladding option and one that ages very well.

Not sure which cladding suits your garden and design?

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Millboard Composite Cladding

Supply cost: £90 – £140+ per m² · Best composite option

Millboard is a composite cladding made from polyurethane resin and mineral stone, moulded to replicate the grain and texture of real timber. It is the most realistic-looking composite cladding on the market. A good example is our 7.5m x 4m build with Millboard Envello Shadow Line in Golden Oak, which creates a striking warm contrast against anthracite grey aluminium sliding and bifold doors.

Pros

Virtually no maintenance — occasional wash down only
Highly realistic timber appearance
Excellent long-term durability
Will not rot, warp or fade significantly
Available in multiple colours and profiles

Cons

Highest cost of all cladding options
Not real timber — very close up close but not identical
Higher environmental impact than natural timber

Garden room with Millboard composite cladding in Surrey by My Retreat Garden Rooms — Millboard composite cladding — the most realistic composite option on the market and virtually maintenance-free.

Redwood

Supply cost: £8 – £25 per m² · Budget option with real limitations

Redwood is the most affordable cladding option and is widely used at the lower end of the market. It has a pale golden tone when new and takes paint well. However, it is a softwood with real durability limitations that are worth understanding before committing to it.

Most garden room companies offering a 10-year structural guarantee will only guarantee redwood cladding for five years. If you are buying a garden room and the company offers a 10-year guarantee that includes redwood cladding, ask exactly what the cladding element of that guarantee actually covers.

Pros

Lowest cost cladding option
Takes paint well — good for a painted finish
Renewable resource and widely available

Cons

Softwood — prone to twisting, warping and splitting
Most companies guarantee for 5 years only, not 10
Requires regular painting or oiling to prevent deterioration
Not recommended for a permanent, year-round garden room

Redwood shiplap cladding boards for garden rooms — Redwood shiplap — the most affordable option but with real long-term limitations for a permanent garden room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cladding for a garden room?

It depends on what matters most to you. For a natural timber look, cedar is Kieron's top recommendation — stunning but requires oiling every 12 to 18 months. For a contemporary composite with minimal upkeep, Ecoscape slatted cladding is the first choice. For a no-maintenance fibre cement option, James Hardie or Cedral are both excellent. For the best composite money can buy, Millboard is outstanding. If budget is the priority, Thermowood is the most cost-effective durable option. Redwood is the cheapest but is not recommended for a permanent, year-round garden room.

How often does garden room cladding need treating?

All natural timber cladding — larch, cedar, thermowood, charred larch — benefits from oiling every 12 to 18 months to maintain colour and protect the surface. Left untreated, natural timber silvers off to a pale grey. This is not necessarily a structural problem, but it is a distinct look. Fibre cement and composite cladding require no oiling or staining at all.

What is the most low-maintenance cladding for a garden room?

James Hardie fibre cement and Millboard composite require nothing more than an occasional wash down. They will not rot, warp, or need painting or oiling. If you want the absolute minimum maintenance commitment, either of these is the right choice.

What is the cheapest cladding for a garden room?

Redwood is the most cost-effective cladding option. However, it is a softwood and is prone to twisting, warping and splitting, which is why most companies only guarantee it for five years rather than ten. If cost is a concern but you want better long-term performance, larch or thermowood represent better value even at a slightly higher upfront cost.

Does garden room cladding affect planning permission?

In most cases, no. The cladding material does not affect whether a garden room requires planning permission under permitted development rules. However, if your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building, your local planning authority may have requirements about external materials and finishes. Read our full planning permission guide here.

Can I paint garden room cladding?

Yes. Redwood takes paint particularly well and is often chosen for a painted finish. Most other timber claddings can also be painted, though it is generally better to oil natural timbers like cedar and larch to let the grain show. Fibre cement cladding like James Hardie and Cedral comes pre-finished in a range of colours from the factory, so painting is not usually necessary.

How long does garden room cladding last?

With proper maintenance, cedar or thermowood will last 20 to 30 years or more. Regularly treated larch will last 15 to 25 years. Redwood, being a softwood, has a shorter lifespan of around 10 to 15 years with good maintenance. Fibre cement and composite cladding will typically outlast any timber option, with manufacturers quoting lifespans of 30 to 50 years.

What cladding does My Retreat use as standard?

Our standard cladding offering includes cedar, Ecoscape slatted composite, larch, thermowood, James Hardie and Cedral fibre cement, charred larch and Millboard composite. We do not use redwood as standard on our builds. The choice of cladding is entirely yours and we carry physical samples of every option so you can see and feel the difference before deciding. We can also show you examples of each type on completed builds across Surrey.

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