Slatted Cladding: Contemporary Exterior Design
Slatted cladding is a style of external cladding where individual battens or slats are fixed to a building with consistent gaps between them, creating an open, screen-like appearance. Unlike solid cladding systems such as shiplap or weatherboard — where boards overlap or interlock to form a sealed surface — slatted cladding is deliberately permeable. Light, air, and partial views pass through the gaps between slats, producing a distinctive interplay of light and shadow that gives buildings a contemporary, architectural character.
Slatted cladding has gained significant popularity in UK residential and commercial design over the past decade. It features prominently on contemporary house extensions, garden room frontages, entrance porches, balcony screens, and commercial façade projects. This guide covers everything from material options and installation methods to design applications and practical limitations.
How Slatted Cladding Differs from Solid Cladding
Understanding what slatted cladding is — and what it is not — prevents specification mistakes:
| Feature | Slatted Cladding | Solid Cladding (Shiplap/Weatherboard) |
|---|---|---|
| Surface coverage | Open — gaps between slats | Closed — boards overlap or interlock |
| Weather protection | Partial — reduces exposure but does not seal | Full — designed as a primary rainscreen |
| Visual effect | Light and shadow, transparency, depth | Uniform surface, clean lines |
| Airflow | Unrestricted through gaps | Controlled through ventilated cavity |
| Privacy | Partial — depends on slat width and gap size | Full |
| Primary function | Decorative screen, solar shading, visual interest | Weather protection, insulation support |
| Structural backing required | Yes — the wall behind must be independently weatherproof | Yes — ventilated cavity and membrane, but cladding is the first defence |
The critical distinction: slatted cladding is not a weather barrier. It is a decorative screen that sits in front of a separately weatherproofed wall construction. Rain, wind, and snow pass through the gaps. The wall behind — whether rendered blockwork, insulated timber frame with breathable membrane, or solid cladding — must provide its own weather resistance.
Material Options for Slatted Cladding
Timber
Timber is the traditional material for slatted cladding and remains the most popular choice for residential projects. Its natural grain and warmth are central to the slatted look.
Popular species:
- Western red cedar — naturally durable (Class 2), ages to an attractive silver-grey, rich colour when new, pleasant scent during installation
- Siberian larch — hard, dense, and naturally durable (Class 3); more affordable than cedar
- Thermowood (thermally modified softwood) — standard softwood heated to 180–230°C to improve durability and dimensional stability; uniform colour, economical
- European oak — premium appearance and exceptional durability (Class 2); heavy and expensive
- Accoya (acetylated wood) — modified softwood with Class 1 durability and exceptional dimensional stability; premium price
Maintenance: Timber slats require periodic treatment — oil, stain, or paint every 2–5 years to maintain colour. If left untreated, most species will silver to a grey tone within 1–3 years. Many designers specify timber slatted cladding with the intention of allowing this natural silvering.
PVC-U
PVC-U slats offer zero maintenance and consistent colour throughout their lifespan. They are lighter than timber and immune to rot, insect attack, and moisture damage.
Advantages:
- No painting, staining, or treatment — ever
- Wide colour range including woodgrain effects
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Consistent dimensions — no warping, bowing, or twisting
Considerations:
- Smooth surface feels less natural than timber to the touch
- Thermal expansion requires attention to fixing detail on long runs
- Wider slats may flex slightly between supports unless adequately backed
Composite
Composite slats combine wood fibres with polymer binders, offering a more natural appearance than PVC-U with lower maintenance than pure timber.
Advantages:
- Realistic wood-like texture and appearance
- Minimal maintenance — occasional washing
- Good dimensional stability
Considerations:
- Heavier than both timber and PVC-U per linear metre
- More expensive than PVC-U
- Some products are prone to algae growth due to the wood fibre content
Aluminium
Aluminium slatted cladding is used on commercial projects and high-end residential designs. The slats are typically powder-coated in any RAL colour.
Advantages:
- Extremely durable — 40–60 year lifespan
- Precise, consistent profiles
- Wide range of RAL colours
- Non-combustible (Class A1) — meets the strictest fire regulations
Considerations:
- High material cost
- Requires specialist installation
- Can feel industrial or cold in residential settings unless combined with warmer materials
Slat Dimensions and Spacing
The visual character of slatted cladding is determined by three variables: slat width, slat depth, and gap width. Changing any of these significantly alters the appearance.
Common Configurations
| Configuration | Slat Width | Gap Width | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow and tight | 30–40 mm | 10–15 mm | Dense screen — high privacy, strong visual rhythm, more solid appearance |
| Standard | 40–50 mm | 15–25 mm | Balanced — good visibility, moderate privacy, versatile |
| Wide and open | 50–80 mm | 25–40 mm | Open screen — high transparency, dramatic shadow effects, minimal privacy |
| Equal slat and gap | 40 mm | 40 mm | Bold, graphic pattern — modern and architectural |
Orientation
Slatted cladding can be installed in three orientations, each creating a different effect:
Horizontal slats:
- Creates a calm, grounded appearance
- Emphasises the width of a façade
- Easier to fix (vertical battens as supporting structure)
- Tends to accumulate less dirt and debris on the top edge of each slat
Vertical slats:
- Creates a taller, more elegant appearance
- Emphasises height
- Requires horizontal rails as the supporting structure
- More closely resembles traditional timber fencing, which may or may not be desirable
Diagonal or mixed-direction slats:
- Creates a dynamic, geometric effect
- Requires more complex supporting framework
- Best used on small feature areas rather than large expanses
Design Applications
Entrance Features and Porches
Slatted cladding on an entrance canopy, porch wall, or front door surround creates an immediate design statement. The open structure allows light to filter through, preventing the entrance from feeling dark or enclosed while still providing a sense of enclosure and arrival.
Garden Room Frontages
Many contemporary garden room designs use slatted cladding on the front elevation — either as a full-width screen or flanking large glazed doors. The slats provide:
- Solar shading — reducing heat gain through glazing in summer
- Privacy screening — preventing direct sight lines into the garden room
- Visual continuity with garden structures (pergolas, fences, raised beds)
Balcony and Terrace Screens
Slatted cladding provides privacy screening on balconies and raised terraces without creating a solid barrier. The gaps allow air movement (reducing wind loading on the structure) and maintain a sense of openness.
Bin Store and Utility Enclosures
One of the most practical applications: enclosing wheelie bins, gas meters, and utility areas. Slatted screens hide unsightly elements while allowing ventilation — essential for gas meter enclosures, where Building Regulations require adequate airflow.
Mixed with Solid Cladding
Combining slatted cladding with solid cladding (shiplap or weatherboard) on the same building is an increasingly popular design technique. The solid cladding provides the primary weather barrier and privacy, while the slatted sections add visual relief, solar shading, and architectural interest.
Common combinations:
- Solid-clad main walls with a slatted entrance screen
- Solid-clad ground floor with slatted screens at first-floor balcony level
- Solid rear and side walls with a slatted front-facing feature wall
Installation Principles
Supporting Framework
Slatted cladding requires a robust supporting framework because individual slats are fixed at each support point. The framework must resist wind loading (slats act as individual aerofoils), support the weight of the slats, and maintain consistent spacing over time.
Typical framework:
- For horizontal slats: Vertical timber or metal posts at 400–600 mm centres
- For vertical slats: Horizontal timber or metal rails at 400–600 mm centres
- Post/rail dimensions: 50 mm × 50 mm minimum for timber (pressure-treated); aluminium channel sections for metal frameworks
Fixing Slats
Each slat is fixed at every support crossing. Fixing options include:
- Stainless steel screws — the most common and reliable method. Countersink or use a matching-colour screw cap for a neat appearance.
- Hidden fixing clips — proprietary clip systems that grip the slat from behind, providing a completely screw-free visible face. More expensive and slower to install but deliver the cleanest finish.
- Stainless steel nails — suitable for timber slats; less adjustable than screws.
Spacing Consistency
Consistent gap spacing is critical to the visual quality of slatted cladding. Even small variations in spacing are immediately noticeable because the gaps create a repeating pattern that the eye reads as a rhythm.
Methods for maintaining consistent spacing:
- Spacer blocks — cut a block of timber or plywood to the desired gap width and use it as a gauge between each slat
- Purpose-made spacer clips — some proprietary systems include moulded spacers that clip onto the framework
- Pre-marked framework — mark all slat positions on the supporting rails before starting, ensuring consistent spacing across the full run
Thermal Expansion (PVC-U and Composite)
If using PVC-U or composite slats, allow for thermal expansion at each end of every slat. A 3–5 mm gap between the slat end and any abutment (post, wall, trim) prevents buckling in hot weather. For dark colours, increase this allowance.
Solar Shading Performance
Slatted cladding serves a genuine functional role as solar shading — it is not purely decorative. Properly designed, a slatted screen can:
- Reduce solar heat gain through adjacent glazing by 30–50%, depending on slat width, gap width, and orientation relative to the sun
- Eliminate direct glare on screens and workspaces inside garden rooms and home offices
- Reduce UV damage to interior furnishings by blocking a proportion of direct sunlight
The shading effectiveness depends on the ratio of slat width to gap width and the angle of the sun relative to the slat orientation. Fixed horizontal slats provide the most effective shading when the sun is high (summer), which is when shading is most needed. They are less effective at blocking low-angle winter sun, which is desirable — allowing solar gain when heating is needed.
Fire Safety Considerations
Slatted cladding introduces specific fire safety considerations:
- The gaps between slats allow fire and smoke to pass through — slatted cladding does not provide the fire containment function that solid cladding offers
- Individual slats have a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, which can increase the rate of flame spread on combustible materials
- Building Regulations (Approved Document B) should be consulted for any slatted cladding near boundaries or on buildings above single-storey height
For applications where fire performance is critical (near boundary walls, on multi-storey buildings, or in commercial settings), aluminium slats (Class A1, non-combustible) are the safest option. Timber slats can be treated with fire-retardant coatings to improve their rating, but this adds cost and requires periodic retreatment.
Maintenance
Timber Slats
- If maintaining colour: Oil or stain every 1–3 years (western red cedar) or every 2–5 years (thermowood, larch)
- If allowing to silver: No treatment needed — the timber will weather to a silver-grey tone naturally. This is a deliberate design choice, not neglect.
- Cleaning: Wash annually with warm soapy water. A soft brush helps dislodge dirt from the top edge of horizontal slats.
- Replacement: Individual damaged slats can be unscrewed and replaced without disturbing adjacent slats — a significant advantage of the slatted system.
PVC-U Slats
- Wash annually with warm soapy water
- No painting, staining, or treatment required
- Check fixings annually — thermal movement can gradually loosen screws over time
Composite Slats
- Wash annually
- Check for algae growth, particularly on north-facing screens — treat with algae remover if necessary
- No painting or staining required
Frequently Asked Questions
Can slatted cladding be used as the only cladding on a habitable building?
No. Slatted cladding is an open system that does not provide weather protection. It must always be used in front of a separately weatherproofed wall construction — rendered blockwork, solid cladding over a ventilated cavity, or an insulated timber-frame wall with a breathable membrane.
What is the best gap width for privacy?
For reasonable privacy from normal viewing angles and distances (5+ metres), a gap equal to or narrower than the slat width provides effective screening. For example, 40 mm slats with 15 mm gaps offer good privacy while maintaining light and airflow. Wider gaps (25+ mm) provide less privacy but a more open, lighter appearance.
Does slatted cladding need a ventilated cavity behind it?
Not in the same way as solid cladding. Because slatted cladding is open, air circulates freely around and behind the slats. However, the wall behind the slatted screen must have its own ventilation and weather protection provisions, independent of the slatted screen.
How do I clean between the slats?
For horizontal slats, dirt tends to accumulate on the top edge of each slat. A garden hose with a spray nozzle, combined with a soft brush, is effective. For vertical slats, less dirt accumulates, and a simple hose-down is usually sufficient.
Can I retrofit slatted cladding over existing solid cladding?
Yes — slatted screens can be fixed to a supporting framework attached to the existing solid cladding (via the battens behind it) or to the wall structure. This is a popular approach for adding architectural interest to a plain-clad elevation without removing the existing weatherproof skin.
