How Much Does Cladding Cost? [2024]

There are many different types of cladding that you can use for your house. Weatherboard, timber, aluminium, vinyl, stone veneer and render are all options that come with different looks and prices for installation. But how much does house cladding cost?

Read this guide to cladding costs to find out:

• How much does house cladding cost?
• How much does weatherboard cladding cost?
• How much does timber cladding cost?
• How much does aluminium cladding cost?
• How much does vinyl cladding cost?
• How much does stone veneer cost?
• How much does render cost?
• How much does cladding installation cost?

How much does house cladding cost?

The cost of cladding is generally charged by the linear metre or per square metre and will change depending on the material. Typical cladding costs without installation are:

• Weatherboard cladding - $3.20 - $6.85 per linear metre
• Timber cladding - $3.25 - $11.75 per linear metre
• Aluminium cladding - $14 - $36.50 per square metre
• Vinyl cladding - $30 - $100 per square metre
• Stone veneer - $100 - $150 per square metre
• Render - $30 - $50 per square metre
• Professional cladding installation averages about $55 per hour.

Cladding can add value to your home and if done properly this could exceed the cost of installation. It’s important to think about this when budgeting for cladding as it can help a plain house to stand out and its value can increase if you decide to sell.

Read on for a more detailed breakdown of the options and costs for each type of cladding.

How much does weatherboard cladding cost?

Weatherboard cladding comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, which affects its price. The boards may be smooth or have a timber texture and can also be scalloped, notched or notched with a groove to look like separate panels.

Weatherboard prices depend on the brand and type of weatherboard you purchase. Typical weatherboard costs are:

• Baltic square edge (175mm wide) - $3.20 per linear metre
• Woodgrain HardiePlank (230mm wide) - $18.00 per4.2-metre length
• Smooth HardiePlank (230mm wide) - $28.75 per 4.2-metre length

If you want to know more about weatherboard prices and options, get quotes from suppliers in your area.

How much does timber cladding cost?

Timber cladding has the warmth and look of timber without the expense. Prices will vary depending on the supplier, the type of timber and its width, for example:

• Tight knot pine (78mm to 178mm) - $3.25 to $6.25 
• Australian beech - $6.45 
• Blackbutt - $7.25 
• Spotted gum - $8.30 
• Blue gum (select grade) - $8.50 
• Tallowwood (standard grade or select grade) - $8.50 to $11.75

Timber cladding also needs to be sealed, which will be an extra cost. Two coats of sealer may be needed, which may be applied by your cladding installer or done yourself. It's recommended to have sealer professionally applied if you live in a two-floor home.

How much does aluminium cladding cost?

One of the most popular aluminium cladding products is Colorbond, which comes in several profiles and colours. Colorbond roofing may also be used as cladding. Zincalume can be a less expensive alternative to Colorbond cladding, but it’s not available in as many colours.

Expect to be quoted around:

• Basic aluminium sheet - $14
• Powder-coated Colorbond - $21.50
• Corrugated aluminium cladding - $30
• Colorbond Ultra (recommended for coastal regions) - $36.5

How much does vinyl cladding cost?

Vinyl (or uPVC) cladding is an affordable cladding option. The cost of vinyl cladding can be between $30 and $100 per square metre, depending on the type of cladding you buy. While this is more expensive than some other materials, vinyl doesn't require painting and is very low maintenance.

Vinyl cladding comes in a variety of colours and can have a wood grain or smooth finish. It’s also UV-resistant, flame resistant and easy to clean, with typical warranties of at least 10 to 20 years.

How much does stone veneer cost?

Stone veneer can be used to clad an entire house or used as a feature wall to enhance a home's appearance. Stone veneer is usually made from cement, which can be rendered and coloured to look like natural stone.

Stone veneer should be installed by professionals, as it's difficult to install DIY. As such, the cost of stone veneer and installation is often quoted as one price. Depending on the type of stone veneer you choose, expect to pay between:

• $230 to $310 per square metre with installation
• $100 to $150 per square metre for stone veneer alone

A stone veneer feature wall can add value to a property, as well as improve other aspects such as thermal resistance, fireproofing and acoustic insulation.

How much does house render cost?

Rendering is usually done on brick homes as an alternative to cladding. Rendering is a wet solution and may require two coats.

Rendering costs between $30 and $50 per square metre. A typical house may require up to 400 metres, so the total cost of rendering can be between $12,000 and $20,000.

Like cladding, rendering can add value to a home, so the initial cost may be made up if you sell your home in the future.

Read more: How much does rendering cost?

How much does cladding installation cost?

Cladding should be professionally installed to get a good finish. Cladding installers may charge between $50 and $80 per hour, depending on the type of cladding and whether you're using a combination of claddings.

Get quotes from at least 3 cladding installers in your area so you can compare prices and find a reputable company with a strong track record. The cheapest quote may not be the best quote, because cladding must be installed correctly or it won't look right.

Cladding is a great way to add value to your home and it’s something that most homeowners will have to do at some point. The price of house cladding is determined by more than just the size of your house though. When choosing your cladding, you will many options that will come at different prices. 

The cheapest way you can clad your house is by using weatherboard but it’s a good idea to look into how much value cladding will add to your home. Options like stone veneer or rendering may add more value to your home than they cost.

You can also use a cladding cost calculator to gain a closer idea of how much your cladding project will cost, based on your unique material choice and project area.