How to add external cladding to brick?

[Lynne69]

We are ready to start renovating the outdoor area and want to start with the patio ceiling and potentially clad the brick walls. 
A clean modern Hamptons look is what we after so ideally a broad cladding that we can then paint white. 
We have no idea where to start with the project. Do you have to pull the old ceiling down or can you clad over the top? 
Is this a DIY friendly project? We are not totally hopeless but far from expert.

Any advice is welcome….

Some pics of the area & also a couple of inspiration pics but would rather have a flat broader cladding on the bricks. 

 

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Lynne69,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Recladding a home is no small feat, especially if you are going from brick to weatherboard or a fibre cement product mimicking weatherboard. Battens will need to be added to the outside of the brick to ensure the cladding is attached in compliance with the manufacturer's installation guide and the relevant construction standards.

Relining the ceiling is also not a simple task. It might be possible to install the new sheeting over the existing, but you would need to have the ceiling assessed by an engineer or licenced builder to ensure it is capable of supporting the additional weight and the ceiling frame is spaced so that the sheets can be installed in line with the manufacturer's installation guide.

Unfortunately, this is likely a project best left to the professionals as the cost involved and the potential for mistakes is very high.

The materials they will likely use are James Hardie Stria Standard Profile Cladding for the facade and Hardie Groove Lining for the ceiling.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Jacob

[Lynne69]

Thanks…. I thought it might be, it’s so expensive to get someone to do it. Might have to paint the bricks instead. 

[Dave-1]

Evening @Lynne69 

I have the same hesitations as @JacobZ. The added weight on the ceiling would be something an Engineeer should verify first.

I do like your suggestion about painting the brickwork. I do think you could end up with a similar Hamptons look, but not Hamptons type deal

Instead of cladding the all the walls maybe add something to it to help define a look with the painting of the bricks. 

Changing up the grassed area to Hamptons style plants and pots could help change the overall look.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @Lynne69 

The makeover you're looking for is definitely doable. But as @JacobZ highlighted its an advanced project and one that I would be leaving to a builder to complete. replacing (not fixing over top) the cement sheet eves with v-groove isn't a major project. But there are so many complications to the wall cladding, especially when it comes to windows and doors that unless done correctly will result in a finish quite disappointing to say the least. It's also going to be very expensive.

Nailbag

[Lynne69]

Thank you, I appreciate your input,

I think I’ll paint the bricks. Do you think pulling down the ceiling and replacing it is DIY doable? 
We had a quote a couple of years ago, it was 6k and he told us to pull down the old ceiling 😳

[Dave-1]

Morning @Lynne69 

Mmmm a note of caution. If your house was built before 1987 it could be made with material that contains asbestos, if you are unsure it would be wise to test before attempting it. If it is you will need to engage professionals to remove it. 

Apart from that it is doable and  I would invist in a stand to help lift the new panels up. I would not lay the new panels over the old sheets.

Dave

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Lynne69,

Pulling down the ceiling or cladding over it is possible, but whether you can do it depends on whether the available timber has enough structural support to hold up the potentially heavier cladding. That's where an assessment from an engineer comes in. Also, you'll need to follow the installation requirements for the new cladding. So, say it requires fixings into timber every 450mm, and your roof timber is spaced at 600mm; you would need to add additional structural timber into the roof to allow the required fixings. It's not as simple as removing the existing sheeting and installing new cladding.

Mitchell

[Lynne69]

Thanks  @JacobZ @Dave-1 @Nailbag @MitchellMc 

for your valuable insights, I’ve learnt a lot already from you, it’s a fairly new house so no

asbestos to worry about. 

I think we will leave the bricks to paint but I’m really keen to change the ceiling. I can even live with it not being perfectly done as it will be much better than what I’ve got.

What do you think is the best product to use that is DIY friendliest? 

The area is a big rectangle with 1 brick supporting column that we would have to go completely around and also a window and sliding door that add a few inches to the rectangle, I’m hoping those areas will be infil strip after. 

The whole area is approx 5.5 m x 4m.

We have never done anything like this before so it’s a bit daunting but a challenge we are willing to take. 

 

The whole area is approx 5.5 m x 4m.

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Lynne69 

yah to the house being newer

As to products mmmm Id suggest personal preference (stroll around the bunnings panel sections ) but mainly thin and light. 

An example of what look could be good.

easycraft 3600 x 1200 x 9mm easyVJ300 Wall Lining Primed General Purpose MR MDF E0

 Please NOTE this comesin at 30kg

Or a smaller size same product to make it easy to calculate the overall weight.

easycraft 2400 x 1200 x 9mm easyVJ100 Wall Lining Primed General Purpose MR MDF E0 

Please NOTE this comes in at 20kg

To compare

James Hardie 2400 x 750 x 4.5mm 1.80m² HardieFlex™ Eaves - 2400 x 750 x 4.5mm 

No weight listed

CSR Cemintel 2400 x 450 x 4.5mm Eaves Lining - 2400 x 450 x 4.5mm 

comes in at 7.3kg

The last two are purpose made for eaves. The weight of the other products really says you will need extra supports from what you have now.

As an alternative to redoing the eaves.

What about timber trim to give shape to it? Straight lines or rectangles or a bit of both. That wont increase the overall weight by a lot but could form something different.

Dave