Another winning transformation with Freefoam cladding

Freefoam Building Plastics announces Penryn Plastics as the winner of its latest monthly transformation competition, courtesy of the transformation of a three storey detached property in Falmouth.

Fortex Double Shiplap cladding, in Colonial Blue, features around the upper storey of the whole house.

Alex Ottaway from Penryn Plastics talks more about the transformation…

What was the house like pre-transformation?

There are a lot of properties in the Cornwall area with a pebble dash exterior, and many start to discolour, from grey to a red tone.

What were the options available to the homeowner?

The homeowner looked into repainting the pebble dash, but because the property is on a sloping site, the back of the house is very high. Scaffolding and repainting was expensive and the homeowners didn’t want an option that they had to spend time maintaining. 

Why did the homeowners choose cladding?

Freefoam talked of how cladding could feature on the top storey, showing the homeowners the colour range and choice of styles.  Their approval of the idea led to them looking at colour options, including Misty Grey and Sage Green, but chose the Colonial Blue.

This was because it fitted in with the coastal location. The original plan to visit their daughter in Australia was put on hiatus due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Therefore, they spent the money on a home transformation!

How long did the transformation take?

Prior to work starting, the homeowners had already painted the lower half of the property with a cream colour. Cladding the property took approximately two weeks to complete. 

Was it easy to fit over pebble dash render?

The Fortex range features on a lot of properties. Its easy to fit on most properties, but pebble dash can be trickier than smooth render. This is because it is more uneven.

Extra time spent adjusting the battens ensures they run flush with each other over the uneven surface. Once complete, the cladding is simply added to the battens. 

It’s important to create an air gap behind the cladding to stop it over heating, especially in Cornwall where there is more sun. The Freefoam range comes with a starter trim with built-in ventilation, which makes it very straightforward. 

Does the homeowner like the result?

A reaction of delight. They like the fact it looks so much lighter, brighter and more modern. They will only have to wash down the cladding occasionally with soap and water to keep it looking good.

But the best part is they can now spend more time travelling and visiting family and won’t have to spend time painting their house!