For three years, the Home of the Year Awards has recognised excellence in self-building and home renovations. Selected from thousands of entries, the winners set the tone for quality construction and beautiful design. The shortlist clearly illustrate how form, function and craftsmanship can result in buildings with considerable aesthetic appeal.

Awards like these inspire self-builders and home renovators across the country. They showcase how to add character and value through quality construction.

Take a look at the winning and highly commended designs in this year’s Home of the Year Awards. You will notice that timber cladding is a common feature on many of the finalist’s homes. This includes Bunch Lane House, the winner of Best Contemporary Self Build and overall winner of Home of the Year. Congratulations to Vint & Smith Architecture + Design.

Connecting Interior and Exterior Spaces

In the design of Bunch Lane House, pale wood timber cladding combines harmoniously with the brickwork to create a consistency between the two materials. The appearance is modern, spacious and works well in a setting surrounded by mature trees.

One of the comments made by judges was that this property created a natural connection between the interior rooms and the outdoor garden. This is a trend that has been growing in recent years for two primary reasons; making more of our gardens and supporting the well-being of inhabitants.

charred timber cladding

Branching out in the Garden

Firstly, homeowners and renovators are realising the potential that their garden holds. Great design can encourage an almost seamless flow from the interior to exterior, which tempts us outside. The garden can then provide additional space for entertaining, relaxing or working. At Exterior Solutions Ltd, we have seen a shift in attitudes about garden spaces. An obsession with lawns has been shunned in favour of increased demand for hardwood cladding for bespoke garden buildings.

Biophilic Design to Enhance Well-being

The other factor is the compelling evidence that incorporating natural materials, planting and light into building design has a distinct and positive impact on our sense of well-being. The textures and unique aesthetics of materials such as wood grain, stone and cork help us to connect with nature. In doing so, we relax, notice the small things, put events into perspective and feel lifted.

Timber Cladding Used to Extend Historic Buildings

Returning our attention to the Awards, Timber cladding is also evident on the winner of the Best Extension Award, as well as the highly commended building in this category. In both cases, the challenge was to build an annexe for historic properties in Gloucestershire. When working on heritage buildings, any additional construction has to enhance, rather than distract from, the original property. It demands sensitive use of materials, in conjunction with considerate design.

As timber has been a primary construction material for centuries, it should be no surprise that architects opting for sympathetic materials are often drawn to timber cladding. With an extensive range of timbers and finishes, there is the potential to find a solution that has contemporary appeal, whilst being sensitive to the original property.

As a specialist in the supply of Charred timber cladding, Exterior Solutions Ltd has been selected to provide exact matches for properties where historic integrity is a primary objective.

Charred cedar cladding enhanced grain on a house

Exterior Make-over with Timber Cladding

Along with the Best Renovation Award and the Spirit of Self Build Award, all of the properties that we have mentioned are different in scale, design and location. The link is that they are timber clad buildings and we expect to see this as a feature in other architectural design awards.

If you are keen to follow this trend as part of your plans to build, upgrade or modernise your property, you need a trusted timber cladding supplier. Exterior Solutions Ltd has supplied sustainably sourced and incredibly durable Ipe, Teak, Elondo, Accoya, Kebony and Charred timber cladding for domestic and commercial projects.

With a vision of the type of timber, the cut, grade, finish and volume that is required, give us a call on 01494 711800. Our experienced team are happy to discuss the options, advise on solutions and provide you with samples.