Look back at a garden room from the kitchen window and the first thing you notice is not the glazing, the roof or even the size. It is the cladding. It is the face of your building, the part you see every morning with your first coffee, and the part that has to stand up to every British summer and winter for years to come.
So which garden room cladding is best? The honest answer is that there is no single winner. Cedar and composite are both excellent, and both different. One is a natural timber that grows more characterful with age. The other is an engineered board designed to look the same year after year, with nothing to paint, oil or treat. The right choice depends on how you want your building to look, and how you would rather spend your weekends.
On our Elite garden rooms, you can choose from four finishes: painted timber, Western Red Cedar, plain composite or fluted composite. Here is what makes each one special.
Western Red Cedar: naturally beautiful
Cedar is the connoisseur’s choice. Rich, warm tones and a distinctive grain give every building its own character, and no two boards are quite the same. It suits gardens full of planting and trees, where a natural material feels right at home.
We use 14mm Canadian Western Red Cedar, UV-oiled twice for durability. Cedar contains natural resins that help it resist rot and insects, so it is well suited to life outdoors.
Cedar does ask for a little attention, and that is part of its charm. To keep its warm, golden colour, simply re-oil it every two to five years. Or let it weather naturally and it will gradually silver, a soft grey finish that many people love.
Painted timber: your colour, your way
If you already have a colour in mind, painted timber gives you the most freedom. It is a lovely way to tie a garden room in with your house, your fencing or your planting.
We use FSC-approved 12mm tongue-and-groove shiplap, factory spray-painted in your chosen Teknos colour. Each board is primed with knot inhibitor and finished with two coats of industrial Teknos paint in a controlled spray booth, for a smooth, even finish.
The range runs from soft neutrals such as Pebble, Owl and Silver Sixpence, through sage and garden greens like Asparagus Spear, Chase Green and Leafy Herb, to deeper shades including Deep Blue Sea, Shadow and Thunderstorm.
Composite cladding: our most popular choice
Composite is the finish our customers choose most often, and it is easy to see why. It gives you the warmth and texture of a timber look without the upkeep.
Our composite is made from 95% recycled materials. Each board is 45% recycled plastic and 50% recycled timber, engineered together into a dense, weatherproof board that keeps its colour and shape year after year. It is designed to resist rot, splitting, warping, fading and staining, and is engineered to keep water out. There is no painting, oiling or treating to do, ever.
The boards are fixed with bespoke corner and joining strips that keep the join lines invisible from the outside, giving a seamless, high-end finish. On our Elite garden rooms, composite cladding comes with a 25-year warranty.
Choose from six colours: Light Grey, Dark Grey, Walnut, Teak, Canadian Cedar and Black. If you love the look of wood, Teak, Walnut and Canadian Cedar give a warm, natural feel. For something sharper and more modern, the greys and Black are hard to beat.
Fluted composite: the premium finish
Fluted composite takes everything that is good about composite and adds depth. Sculpted, three-dimensional grooves catch the light and create a 3D shadow profile that shifts as the sun moves round the garden. It is a sophisticated, contemporary look, and a real head-turner from any angle.
Fluted boards are fitted vertically, come with the same 25-year composite warranty on our Elite garden rooms and are maintenance free. Choose from Black, Dark Grey, Teak and Light Grey.
Horizontal or vertical?
On our Elite garden rooms, cladding boards can be fixed horizontally or vertically, so you can shape the character of your building as well as its colour. Horizontal boards give a clean, classic line that sits comfortably in a traditional garden. Vertical boards feel crisp and contemporary and draw the eye upwards. Fluted composite is fitted vertically only.
Garden room cladding compared
Each cladding option offers something different, from the natural warmth of cedar to the contemporary finish and easy maintenance of composite.
| Cladding | Appearance | Maintenance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Red Cedar | Natural grain and warm timber tones | Re-oil every 2-5 years or allow to silver naturally | Ask our team |
| Painted Timber | Traditional shiplap in a wide choice of Teknos colours | Factory-finished paintwork | Ask our team |
| Composite | Wood-effect or modern solid colours | No painting, oiling or treating | 25 years on Elite |
| Fluted Composite | Contemporary, textured 3D finish | Maintenance free | 25 years on Elite |
Which cladding is right for you?
The best choice depends on the look you want to achieve, how you'll use your garden room and how much maintenance you're happy to undertake.
- Choose cedar if you love natural materials and want a building that blends beautifully into a planted garden.
- Choose painted timber if you have a particular colour in mind, perhaps to complement your home, fencing or garden design.
- Choose composite if you want an attractive, long-lasting finish without regular painting or treating.
- Choose fluted composite if you're looking for a bold, contemporary appearance with the same easy-care benefits.
Elite or Essential?
All four cladding finishes are available across our Elite garden rooms, including the Dalbury, Walton, Dukesbury, Huntington and Kingsley. Every Elite garden room is manufactured in Staffordshire and installed by our own teams.
Our Essential Composite range, including the Hansbury and Brampton, offers a more streamlined option. These buildings feature vertical composite cladding in grey or teak, a 25-year composite warranty and a carefully selected range of sizes.
See the finishes for yourself
Choosing the right cladding is much easier when you can see and feel the materials in person. Photographs can only tell you so much about the natural grain of cedar, the texture of fluted composite or how different colours look in daylight.
At our show site in Ombersley, near Worcester, you can explore more than 70 garden buildings and compare finishes on real examples.
Our friendly team is always happy to answer your questions and help you find the right garden room for your space.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cladding for a garden room?
There is no single best option. Western Red Cedar offers natural beauty, painted timber provides colour flexibility, and composite delivers a low-maintenance finish. The right choice depends on your preferred appearance, budget and maintenance expectations.
Does cedar cladding go grey?
Yes. Left to weather naturally, Western Red Cedar gradually develops an attractive silver-grey appearance. If you prefer its original golden colour, re-oiling every two to five years will help preserve it.
Does composite cladding need maintenance?
Composite cladding doesn't require painting, oiling or treating. It's designed to resist rot, splitting, warping, fading and staining, making it an excellent low-maintenance choice.
How long does composite cladding last?
Composite cladding on both our Elite and Essential garden rooms comes with a 25-year warranty.
Can I see the different cladding options before choosing?
Absolutely. Visit our show site in Ombersley, where you can explore more than 70 garden buildings and compare cladding styles, colours and finishes in person. No appointment is needed during normal opening hours.
