Using panels outside
Several of our ranges are made for outside walls: garden rooms, extensions, entrances, garden walls and park home skirting. This guide covers which ranges to use, how they cope with British weather, and how to fit them so they last.
Which ranges can go outside
| Interior and exterior | Interior walls only |
|---|---|
| Lightning Ridge™ | Stick-A-Stone™: its adhesive backing is for interior walls |
| Cotswold Stone | Faux Travertine |
| Cottage Lane™ Faux Brick | Ashford Concrete™ |
| Old Mill™ Brick | Kensington Render™ |
| Icelandic Lava™ | Camden Block™ and Chelsea Strata™ |
Each product page says whether that range is for interior or exterior use. If you are unsure, ask us before you order.
Rain, frost and damp
The panels are moulded from closed-cell polyurethane, which is non-porous. It doesn't soak up rain the way natural stone, brick or timber can, and it doesn't rot. There's no routine sealing to do.
What matters outside is the wall behind the panels. Mount them on a solid, continuous surface so the back of every panel is fully supported, and make sure that surface is sound and suited to the damp. On a timber frame, sheathe it with an exterior-grade board rather than fixing panels to open battens.
Sun and UV
Every panel is hand-finished with exterior-grade, water-based pigments with UV inhibitors. As with any coloured finish, some gradual fading can happen over time in strong sun. To keep the colour at its best, we recommend applying a clear UV topcoat every 3–5 years, especially on walls in direct sunlight. Always test the coating on a discreet area first.
For small marks, cut edges and screw heads, the Touch Up Kit is colour-matched to most colours.
Fixing outside
- Fix with construction adhesive and screws. Outside, the screws do real work, so don't rely on adhesive alone.
- Use exterior-grade, corrosion-resistant screws, so they don't rust and stain the finish.
- Fix to a solid, continuous substrate, not open battens.
- Finish external corners with the matching Universal Outside Corner, and top edges with the ledge trim.
- Blend panels from several boxes as you go, for a natural spread of colour.
Every exterior wall is different. Before you start, send us a photo of the wall and tell us what it's made of. We will advise the right fixing method for your substrate and how exposed the wall is.
Fire and building regulations
Lightning Ridge™ is independently classified B-s1, d0 to EN 13501-1. Every other range is made from the same polyurethane formulation as our Lightning Ridge panel, and each range's own classification is in progress. The classification applies to panels mechanically fixed to an A1 or A2 rated non-combustible substrate, with horizontal joints.
The panels are not non-combustible. Don't use them where A1 or A2 materials are legally required, for example on the external walls of some taller residential buildings. Building regulations apply to exterior work, so check with your building control body if you are unsure. The detail is on Fire & compliance.
Park homes and static caravans
Stone-effect skirting is one of the most popular outdoor uses. The panels screw to a frame, so access bays can come off for plumbers and inspections, and there is no heavy masonry on the pitch. Keep the ventilation, the 25 mm drip-rail gap and the drainage open. Our full guide covers it step by step: Park home and static caravan skirting with stone panels.
Questions
Can faux stone panels be used outside in the UK?
Yes. Lightning Ridge™, Cotswold Stone, Cottage Lane™, Old Mill™ and Icelandic Lava™ are made for interior and exterior walls. Stick-A-Stone™, Faux Travertine and the concrete-effect ranges are for interior walls only.
Will the panels survive frost and rain?
The polyurethane is non-porous, so it doesn't absorb water the way natural stone, brick or timber can. Fit the panels to a solid, sound surface with exterior-grade screws, and the wall behind them stays protected.
Will the colour fade in the sun?
The pigments contain UV inhibitors, but some gradual fading can happen in strong sun, as with any finish. A clear UV topcoat every 3–5 years keeps the colour at its best. Test it on a discreet area first.
Do the panels need sealing outside?
No routine sealing is needed. Outside, an occasional UV topcoat helps keep the colour. In areas that stay wet, seal the panel perimeter with silicone when you fit them.
Can I fit panels to a garden room or a fence?
Yes, as long as the panels are mounted on a solid, continuous surface. On a timber frame or fence, sheathe it with an exterior-grade board first, so the back of every panel is supported.
Can I use Stick-A-Stone™ outside?
No. Its adhesive backing is designed for interior walls only. For outdoor projects, use Lightning Ridge™.
Do I need permission to clad the outside of my house?
It depends on the property and where you live. Planning rules, conservation areas, listed buildings and building regulations can all apply. Check with your local council before you start. On a park home, you will normally need written permission from the park owner.