Materials · Detail
PVC vs timber dormer cladding
The choice between PVC and timber is older than the choice deserves to be. Modern composite panels have changed the picture — and within each category the gap between the cheapest and the best is much bigger than the gap between categories.
6 min leestijd·Onafhankelijke informatie
Short answer
PVC is low-maintenance, affordable and limited in look. Timber is more characterful and lasts longest if it is well painted, but needs upkeep. Composite (HPL) panels split the difference: factory finish, low maintenance, sharper look — at a higher price. There is no universally right answer, only the right answer for your house and your willingness to maintain it.
PVC: what it is good and bad at
- Good: low maintenance, no painting, predictable price, weather-resistant.
- Bad: limited colour range, can discolour over time, repairs are visible, basic look.
- Suits: standard family homes, rear roofs, budget-led upgrades.
Timber: what it is good and bad at
- Good: warmest look, longest potential lifespan, easy to repair, ages with character.
- Bad: needs repainting every 6–8 years, higher upfront cost, vulnerable if maintenance is skipped.
- Suits: older houses, listed buildings, owners willing to schedule paint cycles.
Composite (HPL) panels as a third option
Brands like Trespa and Keralit use compressed laminate with a factory-baked colour. They look more like painted timber than PVC ever will, need almost no maintenance, and hold their colour for 20+ years. The trade-off is price — 15–25% above PVC on a like-for-like quote.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | PVC | Timber | Composite (HPL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical lifespan | 20–30 years | 30–50 years (with paint) | 30+ years |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Repaint every 6–8 yrs | Minimal |
| Look | Basic | Warm, characterful | Sharp, modern |
| Repairability | Visible patches | Easy | Replace panel |
| Colour stability | Average | Excellent with paint | Excellent |
| Cost (index) | 100 | 120–140 | 115–125 |
FAQ
FAQ
Veelgestelde vragen
3 vragen · klik om te openen
01Is PVC always worse than timber?
No. Good modern PVC outlasts cheap timber. But high-grade timber, well-painted and maintained, outlives any PVC. The honest answer is: it depends on the grade of each, not on the category.
02What about composite cladding like Trespa or Keralit?
Composite (HPL) panels combine the low maintenance of PVC with a sharper finish and better colour stability. Cost is higher, lifespan is excellent.
03Which one stays looking good the longest?
Composite panels and aluminium-clad timber both age very slowly. Standard PVC is fine for 15–20 years; cheap PVC discolours from year 8 onwards.
Conclusie
Choose the cladding that fits the house and the way you live in it. A homeowner who will repaint on schedule is a timber owner. A homeowner who never wants to think about the dormer again is a composite or PVC owner. Both are valid — just be honest with yourself before the quote arrives.