Wall Cladding – The Practical Family Guide to Transforming (& Protecting) Your Home

Wall cladding transforms tired family spaces while protecting your walls from the daily chaos of family life. Whether you're dealing with scuffed hallway plaster from pushchairs or want to create a cosy nursery that can evolve into a playroom, wall cladding offers both style and substance for homes that need to work harder. Shop products designed to make your transformation easy and lasting.

Unlike temporary fixes or purely decorative solutions, quality cladding serves as functional armour for your walls, shielding against fingerprints, bumps, and wear while adding warmth and character. For families seeking alternatives to fast furniture and disposable solutions, custom-made wood cladding provides a sustainable, adaptable option that grows with your changing needs.

Each kit is tailored for your space, ensuring a perfect fit and a seamless finish that stands up to family life.

What is Wall Cladding? Your Fast-Track Introduction

Wall cladding is an additional protective and decorative layer fitted over your existing wall surface. Think of it as functional clothing for your walls, it covers imperfections, adds insulation, and creates visual impact while protecting the structure beneath.

Wall Cladding vs. Wall Panelling: What's the Difference?

Cladding primarily protects and insulates, often extending floor-to-ceiling. Panelling focuses on decoration, typically covering the lower portion of walls. Both can be custom-made to fit your exact measurements.

Common applications include covering damaged plaster in busy hallways, adding warmth to children's bedrooms, or creating feature walls that can withstand family life. The key difference from wallpaper or paint? Cladding provides physical protection and can be easily refreshed, repainted, or reconfigured as your family's needs change.

Why Wall Cladding? Benefits for Busy Families and Changing Homes

Family homes endure constant wear, from toddler handprints to teenage posters, pet scratches to furniture scrapes. Wall cladding creates a resilient barrier that absorbs this daily impact while maintaining its appearance.

Protection benefits include:

• Shield against dents, crayon marks, and sticky fingerprints
• Easy cleaning with simple wipe-downs
• Repainting or refinishing without wall preparation
• Sound dampening for quieter family spaces

Energy and maintenance advantages: Quality wood cladding adds an extra insulation layer, potentially reducing heating costs by 10-15%. Unlike replastering damaged walls, a messy, expensive process, cladding panels can be individually replaced or refreshed in hours, not days.

Types of Wall Cladding Materials (and Where They Work Best)

Different cladding materials suit different family needs. Here's what works where:

Wood Cladding (Solid & MDF)

Best for: Living areas, bedrooms, hallways where warmth and natural texture matter. Solid wood offers premium durability; MDF provides smooth, paintable surfaces at lower cost.

Vinyl/PVC Cladding

Best for: Bathrooms, utility rooms, or anywhere moisture is a concern. Completely wipeable but lacks the warmth and customisation options of wood.

Metal Cladding

Best for: Modern kitchens or feature walls. Extremely durable but can feel cold and industrial in family spaces.

Safety considerations: Avoid materials containing formaldehyde, VOCs, or untreated chemicals, especially in children's spaces. Quality wood cladding uses FSC-approved timber and water-based finishes, ensuring safe indoor air quality. For more on safe installation and design, see these most popular designs for DIY wall panelling.

Custom-Made Wood Wall Cladding – Roomix's Approach

Roomix creates bespoke wood cladding kits tailored to each family's exact wall dimensions. Our expert joiners craft every panel using FSC approved wood, ensuring both quality and environmental responsibility. Each kit arrives with precise measurements, eliminating waste and guesswork.

Solid wood and MDF options come with hand-applied wood waxes or paintable finishes, all tested to recognised safety standards. The modular design means you order exactly what you need, no leftover panels cluttering your garage. Installation takes just 2-4 hours for most family walls, with our comprehensive kit including all fixings, adhesive, and step-by-step instructions.

Customisation extends beyond size. Choose from natural wood tones, child-safe painted finishes, or wax treatments that highlight the grain. As your family grows, panels can be repainted, repositioned, or enhanced with integrated hooks and shelving. This adaptability transforms initial investment into long-term value.

Roomix Custom Advantage

Lead time: 7-10 days for made-to-measure kits | Average installation: 2 hours for 2.5m wall | 100% FSC approved wood with no nasty chemicals

How to Choose the Right Wall Cladding for Your Space

Room function drives material choice. High-moisture areas like bathrooms need water-resistant options, while children's bedrooms prioritise safety certifications and easy cleaning. Hallways endure heavy traffic, demanding durable materials that withstand daily bumps from buggies and bikes.

Safety considerations matter most for families. Look for FSC approved wood, VOC-free finishes, and recognised safety standards, especially crucial for nurseries and playrooms. Avoid materials containing formaldehyde or toxic adhesives. Roomix panels meet stringent safety requirements, using only water-based finishes and natural wood treatments.

Accurate measurement prevents costly mistakes. Measure wall height excluding skirting boards, note any obstacles like switches or radiators, and account for expansion gaps. Consider your DIY confidence, Roomix kits include detailed guides, but complex layouts around fixtures may benefit from professional consultation. For step-by-step advice, check out these stair wall kits measuring and picking the correct kit.

Practical Installation Guide – From Tools to First Coat

Preparation sets the foundation. Clear the room, protect flooring with dust sheets, and ensure walls are clean and dry. Check for electrical cables using a stud finder, mark their positions clearly. Roomix kits include a preparation checklist tailored to your specific wall type.

Essential tools come mostly included. Our kits provide adhesive, fixings, and detailed instructions. You'll need a spirit level, drill, and measuring tape. Professional tip: Use masking tape to protect adjacent surfaces and create crisp finish lines. Work methodically from one corner, checking alignment every few panels.

Family-friendly installation tips: Schedule work during nap times or school hours. Create excitement by letting children choose paint colours or help with measuring (supervised, naturally). Most families complete a standard wall in one afternoon, with finishing touches the following day. For more inspiration and practical advice, browse our tips section.

Everyday Care and Long-Term Maintenance for Wall Cladding

Daily maintenance varies by material and finish. Wood cladding needs gentle dusting with microfibre cloths, avoid harsh chemicals that damage natural oils. Painted surfaces tolerate mild soapy water for sticky fingerprints and crayon marks. Time investment: cleaning a 3-metre stretch takes under three minutes weekly.

Preventive care extends lifespan significantly. Check panels monthly for loose fixings or minor damage. Address issues promptly, small scratches sand out easily, while loose panels simply need additional adhesive. Roomix provides touch-up kits matching your original finish, ensuring seamless repairs. For more background on cladding, see the Wikipedia article on wall cladding.

Long-term refreshing keeps cladding looking new. Natural wood benefits from annual wax treatment, while painted panels can be refreshed every 3-5 years. Sustainability bonus: Roomix panels are designed for multiple refinishing cycles, and we offer a reuse programme when you move homes.

Popular Wall Cladding Styles & Looks for Modern Family Homes

Shiplap remains the most requested style, offering clean horizontal lines that make rooms feel wider. The overlapping boards create subtle shadow lines, adding depth without overwhelming smaller spaces. Perfect for hallways where you want visual interest without busy patterns that compete with family photos.

Vertical batten cladding draws the eye upward, ideal for rooms with lower ceilings. The slim wooden strips create a contemporary look that works beautifully in home offices or reading nooks. Roomix offers batten widths from 38mm to 68mm, allowing you to control the visual rhythm.

Half-wall applications solve practical problems stylishly. Install cladding to dado rail height (typically 1m) for maximum impact against scuffs and marks, while keeping costs manageable. This approach works particularly well in children's bedrooms, where you can paint the upper wall in bold colours that change with their preferences. For more ideas, discover these wall panelling ideas for your bedroom.

Mixing cladding with built-in storage creates cohesive design. Extend panels behind floating shelves for toy storage, or integrate coat hooks directly into batten strips. This approach maximises functionality while maintaining clean lines throughout your space.

Advanced Problem-Solving: Fixing and Upgrading Wall Cladding

Water damage shows as dark stains or warping. Address immediately by identifying the source, usually leaks behind walls or condensation issues. Remove affected panels, treat the wall with antifungal solution, and ensure complete drying before replacement. Roomix provides matching replacement panels with full installation support.

Expansion gaps prevent most cracking issues. Wood naturally expands and contracts with humidity changes. If you notice hairline cracks, they're usually cosmetic, fill with flexible wood filler, sand smooth when dry, and touch up with matching paint or stain. Prevention tip: maintain consistent indoor humidity between 40-60%. For official guidance on safety and regulations, see the Cladding Safety Scheme overview.

Upgrading existing installations adds functionality over time. Drill discrete holes for picture hanging systems, add LED strip lighting behind panels for ambient lighting, or integrate wireless charging points for modern convenience. These modifications work best with solid wood panels that can handle additional fixings.

Wall Cladding Costs, DIY vs. Professional Fit, and Investment Planning

Roomix made-to-measure kits range from £89-£199 per square metre, including all fixings, adhesive, and installation instructions. This covers solid wood or MDF options with your choice of finish. Compare this to mass-produced alternatives that often require additional trim pieces, adhesives, and tools, costs that quickly accumulate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wall cladding?

Wall cladding is a protective and decorative layer fitted over your existing walls. It covers imperfections, adds insulation, and shields surfaces from everyday wear, making your walls more durable and visually appealing.

How to install a wall cladding?

Installation involves measuring your space accurately, preparing the wall surface, and fixing the cladding panels securely using appropriate tools like screws or adhesive. Finishing touches include sanding, sealing, or applying a protective coat to ensure durability.

What are the best uses for wall cladding?

Wall cladding is ideal for busy family areas like hallways, nurseries, and playrooms where walls face frequent scuffs and bumps. It’s perfect for transforming tired walls, adding warmth, improving insulation, and creating adaptable spaces that grow with your family.

Is wall cladding suitable for children?

Yes, wall cladding is highly suitable for children’s spaces. It provides a durable, easy-to-clean surface that protects walls from scratches and marks, while custom-made wood options offer safe, chemical-free finishes designed with family needs in mind.