Project Background
TMV Architects delivered a contemporary extension at Haynes Close, Sawtry, designed to expand and enhance the director’s family home. The project focused on creating a larger, light-filled living space connected to the kitchen and dining area, providing a practical and welcoming environment for family life.
Architecturally, the design sought to establish a clear visual contrast between the original structure and the new extension. This was achieved through a combination of large glazed openings, black-framed fenestration and slender vertical cladding elements. The material palette needed to support this modern aesthetic while offering reliable performance and a refined finish suitable for a carefully detailed residential scheme.
Given the emphasis on clean lines and contemporary detailing, the cladding specification needed to provide consistent colour, stable board profiles and low ongoing maintenance. Achieving a timber-inspired appearance without the variability and upkeep associated with natural timber was also an important consideration.
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Our Proposal
NeoTimber® supplied Slatted composite cladding in a charcoal finish, accompanied by colour-matched trims to achieve crisp detailing around edges and junctions. The vertical slatted profile complements the extension’s modern geometry, introducing texture and depth while maintaining a clean architectural appearance.
The charcoal tone works in harmony with the black window frames and contemporary glazing, reinforcing the intended contrast between the original home and the new addition. Installed across the extension façade, the cladding creates a defined architectural feature that strengthens the project’s visual identity. The same cladding is also used internally, framing an integrated window seat within the new space as a continuation of the exterior design language.
Alongside its aesthetic contribution, the composite material provides a durable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional timber cladding. The boards are designed to remain stable and consistent over time, helping maintain the appearance of the extension while reducing the need for ongoing treatment or refurbishment.
Testimonial
“As both a homeowner and a practicing architect, I’m careful about the materials I choose, particularly when it comes to cladding. I recently used NeoTimber® composite cladding on my own home extension, and it’s also a product I confidently specify within my architectural projects.
From a design perspective, I have used the vertical slatted NeoTimber® product, which delivers the warmth and texture of natural timber without the unpredictability. The colour consistency and refined grain detail give elevations a clean, contemporary appearance. Most importantly, the low-maintenance aspect is a genuine advantage. The profile options allow for crisp detailing, which is critical when you’re aiming for well-resolved junctions and shadow lines.
Technically, the product performs exactly as you’d hope. The boards are straight, stable, and easy to work with on-site. I know this from installing it myself on my own house extension.
Having now lived with NeoTimber® through varying weather conditions, I’m even more confident specifying it. It retains its appearance beautifully, with no warping, splitting, or noticeable fading.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to clients seeking a durable, design-led alternative to traditional timber cladding".
Thomas Mann, Director & Architect
