Mixing the cladding materials on a house exterior isn't just a passing trend, but a smart way to add depth, contrast, and a more bespoke look to your build. From cedar and steel cladding to stonework and fibre cement boards, combining different textures gives you more freedom to tailor the finish to your style. And with so many materials now available, the combinations of different elements are endless.
What are the benefits of mixing materials on house cladding?
With many modern homes and new builds sharing similar shapes, sizes, and architectural features, it’s no surprise that homeowners are looking for ways to add personality and variety to their exteriors. Whether that means painting the façade, updating the front door, or, for a truly transformational look, installing wall cladding with a mix of colours, materials, and textures, these changes can help create a unique look that stands out from the rest.
As well as adding character to your home's exterior, wall cladding can also help protect the structural integrity of your walls, improve weather resistance, and even increase your property’s value if you ever decide to sell.
Combining two cladding materials can instantly elevate your home’s appearance and boost kerb appeal. But with so many options available, knowing which materials work well together can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we explore cladding combinations that complement each other and offer a modern, long-lasting finish.
- Fibre cement cladding boards with natural stone cladding
- Composite cladding boards with natural timber cladding
- Composite cladding boards with masonry stone cladding
- Wall cladding boards with steel sheet side Cladding
- Coloured cladding boards with traditional red brick walls
Types of wall cladding that complement each other
1) Fibre cement cladding boards with natural stone cladding
Fibre cement wall cladding is a new and innovative way to change the exterior of your home and works wonderfully with natural stonework.
The contrast of the smooth, subtle colours and woodgrain appearance of the fibre cement boards, with the rugged texture of the stonework, adds interest and variety to any home, working especially well on larger, detached homes as below.
Stone is one of the most historic natural materials used in building external walls because of its durability and great technical development over the years.
Fibre cement wall cladding boards make a durable alternative to timber cladding, with many advantages in comparison, and so together, create an attractive yet strong exterior.
Our Cladco fibre cement lap wall cladding boards come with a ten-year warranty and are suitable for most exterior wall materials, including concrete, brick and block, making the perfect cladding material for most homes with alternative cladding already installed. Unlike timber or composite boards, fibre cement does not have any traces of wood fibres and so should not expand or contract with changes in temperature and weather conditions.
They are available in a collection of eight colours with matching trims and fixings, including sage green as pictured below. An unpainted option is also available, allowing you to personalise your projects even more.
2) Composite cladding boards with natural Siberian larch timber cladding:
Two very popular cladding materials, both on their own as individuals, and more recently, together as a combination, are composite cladding boards and genuine wood timber cladding. The real wood cladding example below uses Siberian larch slats. This highly versatile timber product is the preferred choice for many architects and self-builders thanks to its high resin content and excellent durability.
Composite cladding boards, in dark colours especially, work beautifully when paired with Siberian Larchwood cladding and its natural wood tones. The mix of the two provides a modern yet traditional finish that works especially well in small garden rooms and studios.
Cladco’s two composite cladding ranges, Signature and ProClad, are manufactured from an environmentally friendly wood-plastic material comprising 60% FSC® certified recycled hardwood fibres and 40% recycled plastic. Available in 3.6m lengths, these cladding boards can be installed both horizontally and vertically, depending on your desired look.
As well as the colour charcoal as pictured above, our composite cladding boards are available in a wide variety of colours.
3) Composite cladding boards with masonry stone cladding
Composite wall cladding, like fibre cement wall cladding, also works well when paired with natural stone façades. With the increased use of reinforced concrete in the building industry, walls have become thinner, and so natural stone is often used as a cladding material, due to its impressive durability and low maintenance properties.
Cladco’s Signature range of composite cladding features a choice of original (smooth) and woodgrain effect finishes. The ProClad range, meanwhile, is only available with an authentic woodgrain effect finish. Composite wall cladding has a range of benefits over traditional cladding, including:
- Easy to install using a simple tongue and groove method
- Low-maintenance - no need to stain, varnish or seal
- Made with 60% high-quality FSC-certified wood fibres
- Available in a range of eight colours and do not require painting
- High-quality, durable material
- Range of trims and fixings available for a seamless application
4) Composite wall cladding boards with steel sheet side cladding
Steel wall cladding or siding can make a fantastic addition to your home or garden room's exterior. Traditionally used as an agricultural-style roofing material, the two-tone home exterior trend has seen a huge lift in metal sheets being used as cladding alongside composite boards.
Cladco metal wall cladding sheets offer a modern alternative to traditional materials, such as timber, wood or tile sheeting, and make for a cost-effective cladding solution.
Our steel wall cladding sheets are available in 0.5mm thick sheets, and in a range of finishes and various colour options to suit your budget and siding project. Choose from scratch-resistant PVC plastisol, smooth polyester paint, or plain galvanised steel-coated sheets, which are available in a variety of profiles to complement or stand out against composite wall cladding boards.
As well as composite wall cladding, steel sheet side cladding also works brilliantly on its own with contrasting pops of colour and can be just as effective for improving the facade of your building project.
Here, a large renovation has used our 13/3 corrugated 0.5 thick PVC plastisol coated roof sheets in Black to clad their exterior walls, and the simple flashes of bright orange paint on the balustrades and accessories work together to lift the dark tones of the build.
5) Coloured cladding boards with traditional red brick walls
Wall cladding boards can be used to partially clad the exterior of your home, covering only parts of the walls and/or key features, whilst the rest of the house is left as the original building material.
Red brick remains one of the UK’s most popular building materials, used on homes both old and new. It pairs especially well with coloured cladding, where the contrast between textures and tones can really enhance a property's character. Below, we’ve highlighted a few examples of how red brick houses can be transformed with the right cladding finish.
Keep it simple: Combining two cladding materials is often enough to create a subtle, stylish finish without overwhelming the design.
Consider the surroundings: Choose materials and finishes that complement the surrounding landscape, neighbouring properties, or natural setting.
Use colour wisely: Bright tones can work brilliantly alongside deeper, more muted shades, but pairing several vibrant colours together can be overpowering. In most cases, less really is more.
For more information on Cladco's range of composite, fibre cement and metal wall cladding, including our helpful cladding calculator, visit our online store or give our friendly team a call on 01837 659901.
Last Updated: September 23, 2025
Please note all information is correct at the time of writing. However, we encourage you to do your own research to ensure it remains accurate and relevant to your needs.
