Choosing the right cladding for your summerhouse might seem like a minor detail amidst all the planning and design decisions, but it's actually one of the most crucial choices you'll make.
The right cladding transforms a simple garden structure into a durable, attractive, and functional space that serves you well for decades. The wrong choice leads to frustration, constant repairs, and eventually, a costly rebuild.
After 15 years in the timber industry, our team at NLC Timber guided thousands of customers through this decision – here's our comprehensive guide to making the right choice.
Why Cladding Choice Is Important
Your summerhouse cladding is the primary barrier against the British weather, protecting your garden building from driving rain, snow, and summer sun. Without effective cladding, even the sturdiest frame will quickly deteriorate.
Good cladding prevents water ingress – the greatest enemy of garden buildings. When moisture penetrates timber, it causes warping, swelling, and eventually rot that can compromise the entire structure. Quality cladding creates essential protection against this threat.
The right cladding also helps regulate temperature, making your summerhouse usable year-round without expensive heating or cooling systems. It affects maintenance requirements too – some options might seem cost-effective initially but demand frequent treatments and repairs, while quality cladding offers decades of service with minimal maintenance.
Your cladding choice also determines the aesthetic appeal of your summerhouse. As a prominent feature in your garden, the right cladding harmonises with your home and landscape while expressing your personal style, making the building an attractive addition to your outdoor space.
3 Cladding Options
When considering summerhouse cladding, four primary options dominate the market, each with distinct characteristics that influence their suitability for different requirements and conditions:
Loglap Cladding
A distinctive variation of tongue and groove, loglap features the same interlocking joint system but adds a curved exterior profile that mimics the appearance of traditional log cabins:
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Distinctive Aesthetics: The curved outer face creates a charming, rustic appearance reminiscent of traditional Scandinavian log cabins.
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Enhanced Water Shedding: The rounded profile helps water run off more efficiently than standard tongue and groove, offering improved weather resistance.
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Robust Impression: The curved design creates shadows that give the impression of thicker, more substantial walls, even when using standard timber dimensions.
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Character and Charm: Loglap adds instant character to garden buildings, creating a warm, inviting appearance that many find particularly appealing.
Loglap is perfect for those seeking a traditional, cabin-like appearance for their summerhouse. It works particularly well in natural garden settings, country properties, or anywhere you want to create a rustic retreat atmosphere without the expense and complexity of true log construction.
Our Loglap Options Include:
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19x125 Overlap Loglap: Our budget loglap profile, very easy to fit with a great outward profile. Perfect for those looking for the loglap aesthetic without a premium price tag.
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22x125 Loglap: NLC's personal favourite with a slightly rounded profile and tongue and groove so it slots easily together, providing both ease of installation and attractive appearance.
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38x125 Loglap: For the serious timber build. At 34mm thick with double tongue and groove, this is a strong and very durable log which never lets you down. Ideal for larger or premium summerhouses where longevity and strength are paramount.
Shiplap Cladding
Distinguished by its overlapping boards with rabbets (recesses) cut into both top and bottom edges, shiplap creates a weathertight seal specifically designed to prevent water penetration:
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Superior Weather Protection: The overlapping design creates multiple barriers against water ingress, with each board channeling water away from the joints below.
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Historical Pedigree: Originally developed for shipbuilding – hence the name – shiplap was created to withstand maritime conditions, making it exceptionally well-suited to the British climate.
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Expansion Accommodation: The design naturally accommodates the expansion and contraction of timber with seasonal humidity and temperature changes.
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Clean, Timeless Appearance: The subtle shadow lines between boards create visual interest while maintaining a clean, classic look that complements any garden style.
The longer "lip" on shiplap boards provides significantly better rainwater protection than other cladding types. This crucial difference means water runs off the surface rather than finding its way into joints, dramatically reducing the risk of moisture-related problems over time.
While any timber cladding requires some maintenance, properly installed shiplap typically demands less attention than alternatives. Its inherent design advantages mean it continues performing effectively even as it ages, making it the most forgiving option for typical British weather conditions.
Our Shiplap Option:
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16x125 Shiplap: Designed for smaller buildings or for those working to a tight budget. This profile offers the classic shiplap benefits of weather resistance and attractive appearance in a more economical format.
Swedish Overlap Cladding
Swedish overlap cladding combines traditional overlapping board design with modern manufacturing techniques to create a durable, cost-effective solution:
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Simple Installation: The overlapping design makes it straightforward to install, even for those with limited DIY experience.
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Versatile Application: Can be used not just for walls but also for roofing and flooring applications.
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Effective Drainage: The overlapping boards naturally channel water downward and away from the structure.
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Traditional Appearance: Creates a classic, rustic aesthetic that complements both traditional and contemporary garden designs.
Our Swedish Overlap Option:
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22x150 Swedish Overlap Cladding: Possibly our best-selling cladding over the last 10 years. Very easy to fit, with tongue and grooved ends so it can be joined together. This versatile option is also superb for flooring and roofing, resulting in minimal waste if using for the whole project.
How To Choose The Right NLC Timber Cladding For Your Summerhouse
Selecting the right cladding from our range involves considering your specific project requirements. Here's our expert guidance to help you choose the perfect NLC Timber cladding product:
Weather Considerations
For Exposed Locations: Our 22x125 Loglap or 16x125 Shiplap provides excellent weather resistance with their effective water-shedding designs. In particularly harsh conditions, consider upgrading to our premium 38x125 Loglap for maximum durability.
For Sheltered Gardens: Our 19x125 Overlap Loglap or 22x150 Swedish Overlap Cladding offers great value while still providing reliable protection in more protected settings.
Budget Factors
Economy Options: Our 16x125 Shiplap and 19x125 Overlap Loglap are specifically designed to offer quality performance at a more accessible price point, ideal for smaller projects or tight budgets.
Mid-Range Value: The 22x150 Swedish Overlap Cladding offers exceptional versatility and value, particularly if you'll also be using it for flooring and roofing to minimise waste.
Premium Investment: Our 22x125 Loglap and especially the 38x125 Loglap represent a higher initial investment that pays dividends through extended durability, enhanced appearance, and reduced maintenance requirements.
Aesthetic Preferences
Traditional Cabin Look: Choose either our 22x125 Loglap or 38x125 Loglap for that authentic log cabin appearance that creates a cosy, rustic retreat feel.
Clean, Modern Lines: Our 16x125 Shiplap creates a more contemporary appearance with its clean horizontal lines and subtle shadow detail.
Classic Country Aesthetic: The 22x150 Swedish Overlap Cladding offers a traditional, rustic appearance that complements country gardens and traditional homes.
Installation Experience
For DIY Beginners: Our 19x125 Overlap Loglap and 22x150 Swedish Overlap Cladding are exceptionally forgiving and straightforward to install, making them perfect for first-time builders.
For Experienced DIYers: All our cladding options can be installed with moderate woodworking skills, but the tongue and groove systems on our 22x125 Loglap and 16x125 Shiplap require slightly more precision.
For Professional Builds: Our 38x125 Loglap with its double tongue and groove system and substantial dimensions creates a professional-grade finish that will impress for decades.
Intended Usage
Occasional Summer Use: For summerhouses used primarily during warmer months, our 19x125 Overlap Loglap or 22x150 Swedish Overlap Cladding provides appropriate protection.
Year-Round Functionality: For buildings you'll use throughout the seasons, consider our 22x125 Loglap or 16x125 Shiplap for their superior insulation properties.
Long-Term Investment: If your summerhouse is a significant feature of your property, our 38x125 Loglap offers unparalleled longevity and performance that maintains its value.
How To Maximise The Benefits
To get the absolute most from your timber shiplap cladding, follow these expert recommendations drawn from our 15 years of industry experience:
Installation Best Practices
Install boards horizontally from the bottom up with proper overlapping, using quality stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanised fixings, allowing 3-5mm gaps at board ends for seasonal expansion, and maintaining consistent spacing according to manufacturer recommendations to prevent buckling while preserving weather resistance.
Pay particular attention to corners using purpose-designed trims or precisely mitred joints, install appropriate breather membranes behind the cladding, create ventilation gaps at the bottom for drainage and air circulation, and seal all cut ends with preservative before installation.
Ensure boards are supported by studs or battens at appropriate intervals (typically 400-600mm) to prevent sagging, and consider professional installation if you're not confident in your DIY skills, as the modest cost often pays dividends through extended cladding life.
Protective Treatments and Finishes
Apply a high-quality primer or base coat preservative to all surfaces before installation with particular attention to cut ends, and choose appropriate finishes based on your preferences: microporous paints for breathing and protection, exterior wood oils to enhance natural grain, UV-resistant stains for preservative properties with subtle coloration, or clear preservatives to maintain natural appearance.
Apply finishes according to manufacturer directions in multiple thin coats during dry, moderate weather (10-25°C) when timber moisture content is low and curing conditions are optimal, avoiding application during direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, or when rain is expected.
Establish a regular maintenance schedule based on your chosen finish: painted surfaces typically need refreshing every 5-7 years, stained surfaces every 3-5 years, oiled finishes annually (especially on south-facing elevations), and clear preservatives every 2-3 years, with special attention to areas where timber meets other materials.
Regular Maintenance Regime
Examine your cladding thoroughly at least twice yearly (spring and autumn) for signs of deterioration or damage, clean annually with a soft brush and mild detergent solution working from top to bottom, and avoid pressure washing which can force water into joints and damage wood fibres.
Address any damage immediately before small issues become major problems, keep air vents clear ensuring adequate airflow around and behind cladding, and maintain at least 45cm clearance between vegetation and your cladding to prevent moisture trapping.
Keep gutters clean and properly aligned to prevent water from cascading down the cladding during rainfall, and watch for signs of insect activity, particularly around the base of the structure, for early treatment before significant damage occurs.
Professional Support and Expertise
Consult with experienced suppliers when calculating materials needed to determine optimal quantities accounting for wastage and ideal board layout, and seek expert advice on specific challenges related to your site conditions or design requirements from our team with 15 years of industry experience.
As British weather patterns evolve with climate change, be prepared to adapt maintenance schedules and protective strategies with professional guidance to ensure your shiplap cladding continues to perform optimally throughout its extended lifetime.
Timber Shiplap Cladding from NLC Timber
Timber shiplap cladding represents not just the best protection for your summerhouse, but also the best value over time. The initial investment in quality materials pays dividends through reduced maintenance, greater durability, and the sheer pleasure of owning a garden building that maintains its integrity and appearance year after year.
Whether you're building a new summerhouse or refurbishing an existing structure, timber shiplap cladding provides the optimal balance of protection, aesthetics, and longevity. Its time-tested design continues to outperform alternatives, particularly in the challenging and changeable British climate.
Need help determining exactly what you need for your project? Our friendly team at NLC Timber Products is always ready to offer advice without pressure. Contact us to discuss your summerhouse cladding requirements and discover why so many customers choose us for quality timber products backed by genuine expertise and our 15-year guarantee against rot.