Composite Cladding vs. Stone: Which is Superior?

Choosing an exterior cladding material is one of the most impactful decisions when designing or renovating your home or commercial building. Both composite and stone cladding offer strong visual appeal and structural performance even in the face of adverse weather conditions. However, the two materials differ significantly in how they perform, install and endure over time.

This guide compares these two popular cladding options, providing a clear breakdown of their benefits, limitations and performance in the long run. Specialist insights on the proven advantages of premium composite cladding may help architects, designers and builders specify with confidence.

Composite cladding is a high-performance material engineered to combine visual appeal with low maintenance requirements and structural integrity. Wood Plastic Composite is a common type of cladding that uses a combination of wood fibres and plastic for a modern alternative to wood cladding or fibre cement cladding.

However, modern systems, such as Millboard’s Envello composite cladding panels, use a proprietary blend of minerals, resin, biopolymers and fibreglass reinforcement, making the composite material completely wood-free. The non-porous wall cladding panels are moulded from master oak boards, so they capture the beauty of real timber cladding.

Key features of premium composite wall cladding:

• Hand-moulded wood-effect finish, tinted in a wide range of colours for realism and design flexibility.
• Resistant to rotting, warping or splitting like wood cladding alternatives.
• Hard-wearing so it stands up against harsh weather conditions.
• Non-porous and resistant to staining, algae and moisture damage.
• Offers additional thermal insulation for your external walls.
• Ease of installation: Lightweight panels with a tongue-and-groove system ensure fast and seamless application.
• Fire-tested to BS EN 13501-1 with a Euroclass D rating when installed in accordance to our install guide.

Because it's wood-free, Millboard cladding avoids issues like leaching tannins, insect damage or water ingress — making it particularly suitable for UK climates and low-rise building façades.

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Stone cladding, typically crafted from limestone, granite, slate, or sandstone, is prized for its natural character and durability. The traditional material has been used in architecture for many centuries and remains a popular option for various architectural styles, from cosy cottages to contemporary construction projects.

Benefits of stone cladding:

• Authentic natural materials come with textural and colour variation.
• Long-lasting structural integrity when properly installed.
• Highly resistant to UV and extreme weather conditions.

However, natural stone is heavy, porous and often requires sealing or specific care to maintain its appearance. Installations involve higher labour costs due to the complexity of cutting and fixing each stone to fit. Moreover, taller exterior walls come with additional safety risks and the need for specialist machinery. Over time, weathering can also lead to staining, moss growth or even cracks, particularly in exposed or coastal settings.

Composite cladding offers particular advantages where installation simplicity, visual consistency, and weather resistance are priorities. Stone facing may suit heritage-style projects where natural materials are central to the appeal of the property. Consider the additional installation time, budget and upkeep challenges.

Millboard offers three styles of composite cladding: Board & Batten+, Shadow Line+ and Décor. These are designed to complement a variety of architectural styles from alpine lodges to coastal cottages.

Longevity and endurance are essential when choosing a material for the exterior of your home. While both offer excellent structural integrity, there are certain advantages to composite options. Resistant to moisture, they don't degrade from freeze & thaw cycles like natural stone can. Moreover, the surface is much less vulnerable to weathering, algae, moss growth extending its natural lifespan. Meanwhile, there is no need for regular treatments, repairs or interventions.

Stone is naturally strong, keeping your home safe from the elements, but some types, such as limestone, can weather more quickly, especially in high-exposure areas like hillsides or coastal settings. While stone façades will maintain a structurally sound finish for decades, they may need more attention in the long run.

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Composite cladding requires minimal upkeep — periodic washing with mild soapy water is often enough to keep your feature wall looking fresh. Being non-porous, it resists staining and does not support living organisms well.

In contrast, stone cladding is long-lasting but can weather, stain, attract moss or absorb water over time, especially in shaded or damp locations. Some stones are more resilient than others (e.g. granite vs limestone), but overall, composite materials are an excellent choice if you want a more hands-off maintenance experience.

Composite cladding may have a higher initial product cost than low-grade stone but offers substantial savings in installation speed and labour costs. Its lighter weight and user-friendly interlocking system can reduce both time on site and the risk of handling issues.

Stone cladding often requires mechanical fixings or adhesive systems, precise cutting, and additional structural support. These complexities can significantly raise labour and preparation costs.

Over time, composite cladding can also provide value through reduced maintenance, longer-lasting appearance and lower risk of staining or damage.

Read more about the costs associated with composite cladding.

Millboard composite cladding incorporates recycled materials in its construction. Being wood-free, it avoids the environmental impacts of deforestation, and its long service life reduces the need for multiple replacements

Stone, while natural, must be quarried and transported — processes that can generate substantial footprints and local ecosystem disruption.

There are many design options when it comes to stone facing - you can choose different types of stones, stone size, orientation, and even application patterns. Although it's important to consider that more complex applications will come with additional installation costs and time. Ultimately, stone cladding is a stunning choice for heritage or listed buildings or for a rustic, natural look.

On the other hand, Millboard Envello Cladding offers the natural appeal of timber cladding due to the hand-moulded woodgrain texture. Additionally, panels are available in a wide range of colours from Salt Blue to Golden Oak. Several style options allow you to customise your cladding to your unique tastes; whether you prefer a traditional or modern look.

Millboards Envello Cladding includes three elegant styles - Add your favourites to your free sample pack

Where Can I Use Composite Cladding?

Commonly, composite cladding is used on the exterior of homes or low-rise commercial property developments. However, some residents use it for enhancing their outdoor space or for indoor projects too, where regulations permit. Millboard's Envello cladding is the ideal choice for a range of applications.

Do I Need Permission To Put Cladding On My House?

You will usually need to apply for planning permission to clad a listed property, flat or maisonette, or if you live on a conservation site or in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Projects over 18m tall may require planning permission and the material may need to be similar in appearance to what is used in the construction of the property.

Can stone cladding withstand harsh weather conditions?

Stone cladding is very strong and can handle harsh weather but can be prone to moss growth, aesthetic damage, and weathering from freeze-thaw cycles, wind and rain. Stone cladding can resist extreme temperatures and stands the test of time.

What are the disadvantages of composite cladding?

Millboard Cladding is a modern alternative to wood cladding boards. They offer a similar appeal to timber, but they have a more uniform appearance and don't offer the natural colour fading that some homeowners prefer.

How long will composite cladding last?

With good care, composite siding can last for decades. Most manufacturers offer long warranties, usually between 10 and 25 years. This gives you confidence about its lasting quality. Explore our structural warranties.

Comparing composite and PVC cladding