Fibre Cement vs uPVC vs Composite vs Timber Cladding
Fibre cement, uPVC, composite and timber cladding can all look good on a house. The real differences are fire performance, upkeep, how the boards cope with weather and temperature, and cost. In short: fibre cement such as Cedral gives the best fire classification of the four (A2-s1,d0) with very little maintenance, while uPVC and composite are lighter and easy to fit, and timber gives the most natural look but needs the most care.
We sell Cedral fibre cement, James Hardie fibre cement, uPVC cladding and Coastline composite cladding, so this is a merchant's view of where each one fits, not a case against any of them.
The four materials in brief
Fibre cement
Fibre cement is made from cement, cellulose fibres and water. Boards like Cedral Lap and Cedral Click have a factory-applied paint finish. Fibre cement won't rot, warp or attract insects, and it is fitted as a ventilated rainscreen on battens.
uPVC
uPVC cladding is an extruded plastic profile, usually in shiplap or open-V styles. It is light, quick to cut and fit, and only needs washing. Our uPVC cladding range comes in 5m lengths in a wide range of colours and woodgrain foils.
Composite
"Composite" covers several different products, so check what you are buying. Some are wood-plastic mixes. Coastline, which we sell, is described as a patented triple composite with a foamed base containing fire retardant and a co-extruded, UV-stable colour cap. Coastline boards are 5000 x 203 x 5mm.
Timber
Timber cladding (softwoods such as larch or cedar, thermally modified wood, or hardwoods) gives a natural, warm look and can be stained, painted or left to weather. How it performs depends heavily on species, treatment and detailing.
Comparison table
| Fibre cement (Cedral) | uPVC | Composite | Timber | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire classification (EN 13501-1) | A2-s1,d0 (limited combustibility) | Varies by product, usually lower than A2. Ask for the test classification. | Varies widely by product. Fire-retardant products score better. Ask for the classification. | Untreated timber is commonly cited as Class D. Fire-retardant treatments can improve this. |
| Maintenance | Wash with soapy water. No painting needed. | Wash occasionally. | Wash occasionally. | Periodic re-coating if a colour is wanted. Otherwise left to silver. |
| Lifespan / guarantee | Minimum life expectancy 50 years. 10-year manufacturer guarantee when installed to spec. | Varies by manufacturer | Coastline: 10-year warranty, and the listing says over 35 years under its BBA durability claim | Depends on species, treatment and detailing |
| Look | Painted woodgrain or smooth, 21 colours | Shiplap or open-V, plain colours and woodgrain foils | Painted-board look, e.g. Coastline in 6 horizontal colours | Real wood grain, natural variation |
| Stability | Won't rot or warp | Expands and contracts with temperature, so fixing details allow for movement | Depends on the product. Follow the manufacturer's expansion guidance. | Moves with moisture. Can split or cup if poorly detailed. |
| Weight | Heaviest (Cedral Lap approx 11.2kg per 3.6m board) | Light | Light (Coastline about 5kg per 5m board) | Varies |
| Board cost (TSO, at the time of writing) | Lap approx £34 per m² inc VAT, Click approx £48 per m² inc VAT (boards only) | See uPVC cladding for current prices | Coastline approx £33 per m² ex VAT (boards only) | Not sold by TSO. Varies widely. |
Fire: what the classes mean
Reaction to fire for construction products is classified under EN 13501-1, from A1 (non-combustible) through A2, B, C, D and E to F. The suffixes cover smoke (s1 to s3) and flaming droplets (d0 to d2).
Cedral is classified A2-s1,d0: limited combustibility, very little smoke and no flaming droplets. Note that this is A2, not A1, so it is not "non-combustible". James Hardie Plank is also A2-s1,d0.
The classification of plastic, composite and timber cladding depends on the individual product and treatment, so ask the supplier for the classification report rather than going by the material type. In England, external wall materials on buildings with a storey 18m or more above ground that contain dwellings (and certain other residential uses) must be A2-s1,d0 or A1 under regulation 7(2) of the Building Regulations. Other rules apply at lower heights and near boundaries. Whatever you choose, check your project's fire requirements with building control or your architect.
Maintenance and lifespan
All four materials last longest when properly detailed with ventilation behind them. In day-to-day terms:
- Fibre cement: the colour is factory applied, so routine care is soapy water and a rinse. Chips can be fixed with touch-up paint, and you can repaint with acrylic exterior paint if you want a new colour.
- uPVC and composite: a wash now and then. They are not normally painted, so the colour you choose is the colour you keep.
- Timber: stained or painted timber needs re-coating over its life. Some species are left untreated to weather to a silver-grey, which is less work but changes the look.
Installation
uPVC and composite boards are light and easy to handle, which suits DIY projects and outbuildings. Fibre cement is heavier and needs proper fibre cement blades, but it is still fitted with familiar methods: face-fixed nails or screws for Cedral Lap, and hidden clips for Cedral Click. Timber is the most familiar to most carpenters. Every system needs its own trims, so budget for corners, start profiles and closures as well as boards. See our guide to Cedral trims.
Which should you choose?
- Choose fibre cement when fire classification matters, when you want a painted-timber look without repainting, or when you want a long life with little upkeep.
- Choose uPVC for a budget-friendly, easy-to-fit finish, especially on garages, outbuildings and small areas where its fire classification is acceptable.
- Choose composite when you want a light board with a painted look and colour-capped surface, and the product's fire classification suits the building.
- Choose timber when a natural, real-wood look is the priority and you are happy with its upkeep and fire considerations.
FAQs
Is Cedral composite cladding?
No. Cedral is fibre cement, made from cement, cellulose fibres and water, not a plastic or wood-plastic composite.
Which cladding has the best fire rating?
Of these four, fibre cement. Cedral and James Hardie Plank are both A2-s1,d0. uPVC, composite and timber vary by product, so check each product's classification.
Is fibre cement more expensive than composite?
Not necessarily. At our prices at the time of writing, Cedral Lap boards work out at about £28 per m² ex VAT and Coastline composite at about £33 per m² ex VAT, boards only. Cedral Click is more. Trims and fixings add to every system.
Does fibre cement cladding need painting?
No. Cedral has a factory-applied finish. It only needs washing, and touch-up paint for any chips.
See them for yourself
The easiest way to compare is side by side. Order free Cedral samples and, if you are leaning towards fibre cement, send us your plans through the Cedral quote form for a full materials list.