specifier / cladding / 57

WHAT IT COSTS TILED CLADDING

Tiles, shingles and slate can provide traditional and thermally efficient covering for external walls.
Peter Mayer of BLP Insurance considers the options

T
iles, slates and shingles may be
perceived as roofing components, but
there is a long tradition of using the
same materials as the weathering element for
external walls. The 1991 English house
condition survey, commissioned by the
government, suggests that about one in 150
dwellings in England have vertical slate or
tile hangings. With the drive to improve the
thermal efficiency of existing homes,
externally applied insulation combined with
vertical cladding may offer an alternative
approach to insulated rendering.
Slates and tiles
Clay plain tiles should be to BS EN 1304 for
certainty about strength, geometric
consistency and performance issues related
to durability and fire resistance. Handmade
clay tiles should demonstrate durability by
meeting the BS EN 1304 requirements, at
least for flexural strength, impermeability
and frost resistance. The frost resistance
criteria may be moderated for vertical hung
tiles especially where the wall is protected by
wide eaves overhanging. Concrete tiles for
vertical wall hanging should be to BS EN 490.
The standard for natural slates is BS EN
12326. The quality or durability of different
types of natural slates are not readily
distinguished. Predictors of a trouble-free
service life are: flexural strength,
characteristic modulus of rupture, water
absorption, oxidation potential and carbonate
content. The most durable natural slates
would have a service life of over 75 years.
Timber
Shingles have a smooth finish as they are
sawn on both sides. Shakes are hand split
with one side sawn afterwards to give one
smooth face.
Western red cedar is commonly used for
external cladding. It is naturally durable,
with expectations of a 60-year service life
when heartwood only is used. To ensure a
long life, suppliers treat timbers with a
preservative to BS 8417.
There are four grades of cedar shingles: the
best is No 1 Grade Blue Label. Fixings should
be stainless steel or silicon bronze. Shingles
typically are rectangular, decorative shingles
with shaped tail ends are available at higher
costs. Care should be taken that acidic
run-off from cedar does not adversely affect
components downstream from the cladding.
Where the external cladding is close to a
boundary, additional fire-retardant treatment
may be required.
Alternative materials
Vertical cladding using small units hung on
battens or sheeting may also be designed
with a range of other materials such as: fibre
cement slates, galvanised and coated steel,
copper, zinc and stainless steel shingles.
These systems may have an independent
third party technical approval, which should
give guidance on expected service lives.
Design and cost issues
The code of practice for slating and tiling,
BS 5534, gives guidance on minimum batten
sizes, preservative treatment to timber,
nailing, minimum head lap for expected
exposure, design and detailing issues.
Vertical claddings are often specified above
ground floor to avoid risk of impact damage.
The framework for vertical cladding generally
comprises solid or engineered timber sections
or galvanised steel or aluminium profiled
sections. Where thick layers of insulation are
incorporated, additional strengthening to the
framework may be required.
The wall structure, including vapour control
layers and underlays, should be checked to
confirm that there is no risk of detrimental
interstitial condensation (see BS 5250).
Claddings work on the rainscreen principle
– the design should anticipate some water
will penetrate the primary line of defence
against driving rain. The design should allow
the water to drain down the rear side of the
cladding, typically a cavity of at least 19mm
to allow for ventilation and drainage behind
the cladding. For taller or complex buildings
consideration may have to be given to the
incorporation of suitable fire cavity barriers
at compartment boundaries or openings.
Well-designed details at junctions, edges,
openings and penetrations are critical to
the long-term success of vertically clad
external walls.
Biological growth such as moss, lichens and
algae may appear on north-facing walls in
low pollution environments where natural
drying is slow.
BLP Insurance provides latent defects insurance
for buildings, www.blpinsurance.com

Specification options Capital cost Lifecycle cost Expected service life

(£/m2) (£/m2) (years)
Machine made clay tiles to BS EN 1304 265mm x 165mm 58-78 96 50-70
Hand made clay tiles to BS EN 1304 for impermeability, frost resistance; 265mm x 165mm 70-80 105 50-70
Concrete plain tiles to BS EN 490; 265mm x 165mm 55-75 95 50-60
Natural slates to BE EN 12362; flexural strength: ≥70MPa; characteristic modulus of
rupture (CMR): ≥55MPa; water absorption: ≤0.3%; oxidation potential: none; carbonate
content: ≤3% (ideally ≤1%) 400mm x 250mm 80-110 109 75–100
Timber shingles, western red cedar, preservative treated, random widths, 400mm long 45-60 84 40–60

Table notes Net present values calculated with 3.0% discount rate for a 60 year period. Life cycle costs include installation, inspections, allowance for minor repairs and
replacement. Installation costs include 25 x 38mm (50 x 38mm for slates) treated timber battens and underlay. Life cycle costs are indicative and are based on the average of
capital costs and service lives. Costs for new or retrofit installations are proportional to the complexity of the design, size and access issues as well as materials specific costs.
Service lives represent average lives. Longer service lives are demonstrated by extant tiles and slates. There are also examples of failures earlier than the quoted lives. A cost
analysis based on project specific information is essential for a realistic best value appraisal.

BUILDING MAGAZINE 29.01.2010