Australian cladding trends your clients will love

Cladding creates the first impression, selling the build before anyone sets foot inside. It sets scale and defines character outside, then carries that impression throughout the interiors. The right cladding can calm a busy exterior or façade and bring interior spaces to life. Evolving from a previous focus on colour-led schemes, cladding trends have shifted to calm and earthy palettes, finding personality in texture, joint lines and rhythm.

Sarah Rogers, Territory Manager and Modern Homes Forecast champion at James Hardie, and Jenn Sinclair, Founder and Creative Director of Comma Projects, unpack the external and internal cladding trends that are setting the tone for this year and why they appeal to clients and builders alike.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Five Australian cladding trends

1. Indoor to outdoor continuity: Repeats closely matched materials from exteriors into interiors. Clients want it for a considered throughline in their space; builders love it because it streamlines material and resource requirements.

2. Wraparound portals, deep reveals and soffit cohesion: Carries cladding into jambs, heads and soffits to frame openings. Clients want it for its high-end architectural look; builders love it for clean junctions and cavity continuity.

3. Fine-textured cladding: Easily achieved with pre-finished fibre-cement sheets such as Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding. Clients want it for its soft textures; builders love it because it’s non-combustible, quick to install and offers a consistent finish.

4. Vertical cladding: Often achieved with composite Shiplap Cladding, aluminium battens or V‑groove fibre cement. Clients want it for its calm, clean and elongating appearance; builders love its flexibility and integration with cavity systems.

5. Brick slip cladding: Slim slips of real or engineered stone, delivering full‑masonry character. Clients want it for its organic textures; builders love it because it’s lightweight, non-combustible and quick to install with systems like mechanical rails. </li.>

Why cladding trends are shifting to ‘system‑thinking’

Though cladding is an important design element, it also contributes to the function of a space. “It’s never been more expensive to build,” Sarah says. “Builders and designers are looking for cladding solutions that don’t just look good, but are part of a tested, compliant wall system where they can integrate different looks. Many of these [cladding] choices also align with 7-star requirements [under the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022], so it’s about designing smarter, where aesthetics, performance and buildability all work together.”

Top cladding trend #1: Indoor to outdoor continuity

Quick takeaway: Ideal for clients wanting the same materials used inside and out for style cohesion.

Designing interior and exterior spaces with an aesthetic throughline has become a baseline trend for new builds. “With block sizes shrinking, clients are asking for more from less, and a great way to do that is creating indoor to outdoor continuity,” Sarah says. “We’re seeing clients asking for consistent materials or finishes across the threshold to really build on that indoor-outdoor feel.”

Jenn says carrying through clad feature walls, repeating materials, echoing shapes and patterns are all easy ways to develop this synergy, while still being able to integrate cavity systems like rainscreens for external applications and for interiors, linings with Group Number ratings for fire performance.

Top cladding trend #2: Wow-factor details for a high-end finish

Quick takeaway: Versatility of cladding means it can be used in a number of ways around the home, while also showcasing a luxe finish and feel.

Providing flow and a premium impression, wraparound portals, deep reveals and soffit continuity are all simple details that will help clients feel like they are getting bang for their buck. What makes it even better is that these features can provide a purpose within homes. “In areas like South-East Queensland it’s not just a trend, it’s actually a really considered response to our climate,” Jenn explains. “With the harsh sun and weather, deep reveals, wraparound portals and extended soffits aren’t just aesthetic. They provide shade, reduce heat load and protect openings.”

Top cladding trend #3: Fibre-cement cladding for fine-textured façades

Quick takeaway: Texture is key when it comes to current trends, with cladding – especially in the fibre-cement space – packing a visual punch for clients.

“Texture is doing the heavy lifting now, with tactile finishes and materials that change with light throughout the day,” Jenn says. A major player in this space, particularly in external areas, is fibre-cement cladding like Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding.

“It’s predictable to install, with cleaner finishes and easier control over joints and detailing. Long-term, it’s less prone to cracking, easier to maintain and performs better over time, especially in harsher climates,” Jenn says. Most fibre-cement cladding solutions are suitable up to BAL‑40 (Bushfire Attack Level 40), making it a stylish and safe option for exterior finishes.

Top cladding trends #4: Vertical cladding for meditative rhythm

Quick takeaway: Vertical rhythm cladding is simple but has impact, giving homes that wow factor.

Vertical cladding has surged in popularity; it’s one you’ve probably already spotted on new builds. Jenn says vertical rhythm is a simple move that makes a big statement, and is often achieved with composite timber, aluminium battens or fibre-cement boards.

“When you’re looking at the repetition in vertical cladding through products such as Axon™ Cladding or Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding, it gives it a sense of order and simplicity and adds a strong architectural identity without needing complex detailing as well,” Sarah says. “Internally, it’s used more selectively for feature walls, in entryways, in bedrooms and living zones to add warmth and texture without overwhelming the space.”

Top cladding trend #5: Brick slip cladding for effortless, organic textures

Quick takeaway: Use brick slip cladding for fireplaces, kitchens and statement walls to bring texture to a room.

Organic, tactile and rustic, brick slips offer the desirable aesthetics of full masonry without the hassle of long installation times and/or structural considerations. “These are being used more internally as a feature element around fireplaces, in kitchens or statement walls. It helps to bring texture without the structural requirements – or the bricklayer – needed for full masonry,” says Sarah. “Externally, they’re used more sparingly and I’m seeing them as a complementary material rather than the dominant finish, which is a huge shift for the Australian housing market.”

Tip: Did you know you can lighten your workload by speaking to a Trade Specialist from the Bunnings Trade team for specification support and delivery options, including Click & Deliver?

Frequently asked questions: Cladding trends

How do you translate interior and exterior styles while maintaining required standards?

“Always opt for systems that are tested for compliance, work within a full wall system, are supported by clear installation guidance and are from companies with a proven record like James Hardie,” Sarah says.

Which cladding solution strikes the best balance between aesthetics and practicality?

“Fibre cement strikes a strong balance between aesthetics and practicality. It’s non-combustible, it works well with cavity systems and goes up really quickly,” Sarah says.

Why should I use fibre-cement cladding over render?

From a builder’s perspective, fibre-cement cladding offers numerous advantages on the job site. Sarah says key benefits include consistent finishes, site risk reduction and streamlined trade sequencing, ultimately reducing builders’ time on sites.

What are the benefits of composite timber cladding and where is it best suited?

“It’s low maintenance, installs quickly and is more predictable over time compared to natural timber,” Jenn says of Ekodeck’s Shiplap Cladding range. “I recommend it for upper levels, feature façades and screening where access for maintenance is limited.”

How should builders be preparing their option packs now?

“It’s about choosing systems that are straightforward to work with, reduce trade overlap and have been proven in Australian conditions over time, delivering performance and design without adding risk or cost,” Sarah says.

Want to stay close to all the latest trends?

Check out our story on the most popular interior paint colours making a splash.