The Cladding I Prefer

Wether planning a renovation or building from scratch, the choice of materials makes a huge difference, both in how your home looks and how it performs. One often-overlooked hero in this area? Wall cladding.

Whether you're after a coastal vibe, a sleek architectural look, or simply a practical alternative to traditional plasterboard, wall cladding ticks many boxes. It’s not just for exteriors anymore - interior feature walls, ceilings, and wet areas are all fair game. I am a strong advocate of cladding, and there is one brand I prefer and would suggest to you as I do with all of my builders and clients. But before we get to that here’s why I want you to consider cladding for your next project:

1. It’s Quick and Clean to Install

Unlike plasterboard, which involves plastering, sanding, and waiting for layers to dry, many cladding systems can be installed quickly and with minimal mess. Cladding panels often come in large, modular formats that fix directly to framing or existing surfaces. This is a real win for renovations where timelines and disruptions are key considerations.

Pro tip: Some products even come pre-primed, reducing on-site labour.

2. Stronger and More Durable than Plasterboard

Quality wall cladding offers superior impact resistance, ideal for busy households, high-traffic areas, or commercial spaces. Unlike plasterboard, which can dent or crack easily, cladding tends to be more resilient to wear and tear.

On the exterior, it’s also built to stand up to Australia’s tough climate: UV, rain, salt spray and even bushfire zones (depending on the rating of the product).

3. It Adds Texture, Pattern and Character

This is where wall cladding really comes into its own. From battened profiles that add rhythm and shadow, to shiplap and V-groove options that create a coastal, contemporary or country look - the design possibilities are endless. For interiors, this means an easy way to introduce visual interest.

Weathertex products are my favourite option, and for our own home renovation, I chose Weathergroove Smooth for the external cladding, an ideal solution where old brickwork was damaged and some windows had been closed up. That proved to be a smart choice: durable, good-looking, and tough enough to handle the weather. 2 years have past and it still looks as new.

I was so happy with the Weathertex Weathergroove Smooth product on our exterior that I used it again in our next project, outside to create a Mid-Century-Modern inspired enclosure, but selected Weathertex Weathergroove Woodsman inside, for stunning feature walls - elegant vertical lines and a beautiful timber grain that brings warmth as well as character to the space. These are also a healthy material: Weathertex products are made from 97% sustainably sourced wood pulp and 3% natural wax - no nasty chemicals or noxious fumes. A smart and responsible choice.

→ Watch the video below to learn how this amazing Australian product is created.

However, wall cladding isn’t just about looks, it’s a high-performing option that combines durability, versatility, and speed of installation. Whether you’re after a low-maintenance exterior or a show-stopping feature wall indoors, there’s certainly a Weathertex cladding solution to suits your style and your space.

James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information. Learn more from James' knowledge via his FREE online shows James Bought A House (a renovation) and James Bought A Guest House (a brand new build).