Cladding my Dormer's

[RobH71]

I have four dormer's that are currently built with a facing of marine ply. The initial plan was to render them but now I am considering upvc cladding. My question is around what the cladding goes on to. Do I need some sort of damp proof membrane, then vertical battens and then the cladding? I guess I don't just fix the cladding direct to the marine play?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You should have a breather membrane on the ply, then vertical battens then cladding, assuming its horizontal cladding. A ventilation gap at the bottom and the top (to prevent the timber battens from getting damp and rotting) with a mesh at the vent points to stop insects getting behind the cladding. Plenty of details online if you care to Google.

Consider Marley Weatherboard, cheaper than UPVC the last time I looked but much nicer.

 

[mrrusty]

I would consider using a cement based cladding like hardieplank or cembrit. uPVC is a horrible building material - it has a huge coefficient of thermal expansion and on any surface that is likely to get full sun in summer it can be a problem.

 

[^woody^]

Change of materials requires planning consent.