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Cladding refers to the material that covers your garden shed, sitting against the frame. While some people add an extra cladding layer for insulation, shed cladding is more commonly synonymous with the primary material that the walls are made of, and the style of construction.
With wooden sheds, cladding comes in three styles, and this guide breaks down each to help you find the best fit for your outdoor storage and workshop needs.
Shiplap Cladding
Shiplap is a type of wooden shed cladding made from boards that have an L-shaped profile on each edge, allowing one board to partially overlap the next. When two boards are placed together, the rabbet of one fits snugly over the rabbet of the adjacent board.
This ‘locked’ detail maintains a flat and smooth surface. The broads also overlap in a way that creates a waterproof frontage that ensures water runs off. A good way to picture it is like roof tiles—each board overlaps the next to keep out rain, except this results in a completely vertical wall with no protruding edges.
Go for shiplap cladding if you want a shed with a clean exterior and good weather resistance. Not to mention, it comes at a low price.
Tongue and Groove Shed Cladding
Tongue and groove (T&G) is another common type of wooden shed cladding. Each board has a tongue on one side and a groove on the other, linking edge to edge.
Unlike shiplap, T&G boards don’t overlap. Instead, each board ‘plugs into’ the next. The boards join to form a tight, flat surface with no visible gaps. It’s like putting puzzle pieces together. But don’t worry; you don’t normally have to piece these together yourself, as tongue and groove shed kits generally come with pre-manufactured wall panels where this is already done for you.
The end result gives the shed a strong, weather-resistant, and polished look. This makes it ideal for higher-end wooden garden storage, though it does cost more.
A tongue and groove shed is a good choice if you want a polished finish with better durability. The improved insulation and outdoor protection are a step up from shiplap.
Overlap Cladding
Overlap wooden shed cladding is a method where boards are laid horizontally. Each overlaps the one beneath it, hence the name.
The overlapping design gives the timber building weather-resistant qualities. For one, it keeps rain, snow, and wind out while preventing moisture from infiltrating.
The visible seams between the boards create a classic look and help stop water from getting in. This protection reduces the risk of rot and decay. It’s a cheaper option, too, which is why you’ll often see it used in basic sheds.
Overlap vs Tongue & Groove
An overlap shed is a great starting point if you’re a first-time owner or on a budget. But if you want something a bit sturdier that’ll last longer and stay warmer, tongue and groove is the way to go!
Insulation in Wooden Shed Cladding
Overlap cladding does offer weather protection, but the boards are thinner, around 7mm. That results in small gaps where air can get through. This means it won’t keep heat in as well as thicker options.
Shiplap cladding is a bit thicker, usually between 12mm and 15mm. The interlocking boards improve insulation compared to an overlap. Yet, it’s still not as good as thicker options.
Tongue and groove (T&G) cladding comes in different thicknesses, ranging from 11mm up to 15mm. The thicker boards and tight joints help keep out drafts and moisture. The thicker the boards, the better the shed will hold heat, making T&G the best option for insulation.
This also applies to log cabin sheds if you’re exploring other options for waterproof wooden garden storage. Log cabins use tongue and groove connections, but the boards span much longer than panel-based buildings, so you have to assemble them log-by-log. Log cabins go up 44mm thickness, so you can expect them to stay warmer and hang more weight on the walls than a standard wooden shed.
Up next on your reading list: Do You Need an Air Gap for Shed Insulation?
