Architects can use Cedral cladding to create both new-build homes and renovations which combine the character and material traditions of the local area while meeting contemporary requirements of durability, comfort and maintenance. The result is an approach that respects the local heritage and context with the performance needed for today’s living.
With its wood-effect finish, range of colours and varied installation profiles, Cedral facades allow architects to reference the scale and rhythm of timber boarding without relying on natural timber for the external cladding.
Cedral Lap is specially designed so the planks are overlapped, evoking traditional weatherboarding found in rural cottages, farmhouses and agricultural buildings. Cedral Click with its flush tongue-and-groove profile suits modern interpretations of vernacular architecture, especially when the boards are arranged vertically or used with minimal detailing. This can emphasise the height of a gabled house or give a rural form a contemporary look. Another approach in reinterpreting the vernacular is by using cladding selectively on upper floors, gable ends, rear elevations or new extensions.
Colour is one of the most effective ways to connect a contemporary cladding system to its vernacular context. Earthy browns and warm greys can reference weathered timber, agricultural buildings and rural palettes. Muted greens can help a house sit quietly within a wooded or planted setting. Off-whites and pale neutrals can reinterpret traditional painted weatherboarding. Dark grey and black can give a familiar house form a more contemporary identity particularly against stone, brick or natural timber.
A darker palette can create a quiet, recessive building. Carefully proportioned windows and a simple roofline maintain a connection with the local building traditions.
Here are some examples of vernacular-inspired homes with Cedral:
The New England clapboard look for a modern makeover
The renovation of a house in Surrey shows how the material can reinterpret a traditional residential aesthetic. The renovation uses horizontally installed Cedral Lap in Grey Brown alongside soft-shade render, drawing on the familiar appearance of New England clapboard houses.
Inspired by the clean lines and classic style of New England clapboard houses, the homeowners Emma and Matt chose Cedral facades to give their tired 1950’s home a modern makeover that provides this aesthetic. They loved the wide range of Cedral colour options and chose the Grey Brown shade for a look that is natural and earthy. And, to complete the New England effect, they opted for lap fitting weatherboards.
Having researched the cladding market, the couple liked the longevity that Cedral offered. “We wanted something that would be hard-wearing and last for a long time,” says Emma. “Wood needs a lot of maintenance, but Cedral had that wood-effect we liked so it’s the best of both worlds – the look of wood but with low maintenance.”
The horizontally installed Cedral Lap in Clay Brown paired with a soft shade render added a wow effect that has impressed the couple’s 21,000 followers on Instagram.
“I get asked a lot about the cladding we used when I share any exterior shots of the house,” says Emma.
A Contemporary Scottish Longhouse Designed for Modern Family Living
After living for ten years in a house that was built off plans, Tony and Nicola Fraser decided they wanted to create a property that they designed and reflected the way they lived. Set in the countryside of north-east Scotland, the couple purchased the plot next door and began designing a contemporary take on a traditional Scottish longhouse. They wanted to combine modern practicality with warmth, character and a strong connection to the outdoors.
Having worked in the construction industry for many years through their business Russell Construction Moray Ltd., the couple had gathered inspiration from countless renovations and self-build projects over time.
The resulting property combines clean architectural lines with natural textures and materials. On the exterior Black Cedral facades contrast with sandstone walls, while inside, vaulted ceilings, large expanses of glazing and an internal stone gable create a warm yet contemporary atmosphere.
“We loved the look and feel of it straight away,” says Tony. “The black finish worked perfectly with the sandstone, and we also liked that it was low maintenance and built to last.”