How your cladding and roofing choices can elevate your entire design

Many interior designers and architects talk about cohesion – how different elements of a project work together to create the desired outcome. This makes it vital for no details – cladding and roofing included – to become an afterthought.

Considered cladding and roofing choices set the tone for the design style of your home before even stepping inside, says Genia Znarok, business development manager at COLORSTEEL.

“As the saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover – but when it comes to the architectural aesthetic of your home, the exterior cladding and roofing are a pretty clear indicator of the design style that lies beyond the front door,” she says.

“When chosen carefully, these materials can provide insight and visual clues about the look and feel of the house in its entirety, as well as ensuring cohesion between the interior and exterior of the home.”

These materials can provide insight and visual clues about the look and feel of the house in its entirety.

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A versatile material, corrugated cladding has been used both externally and internally for this hillside home in Wellington's Aro Valley.

Selecting the right colour and profile

For renovation projects, the variety of colours and profiles available means there’s no need to replace like-for-like.

“If you've got tiles, you don't have to stay with tiles; or if you've got a corrugated profile, you don't have to stay with a corrugated profile,” explains Gen. “Some of the tray profiles can make a big difference to the appearance of the house with how those lines are going to work with some of the other materials you have.”

Developing design boards and making the most of COLORSTEEL’s showroom and colour samples can be a great way to explore the options.

“You can’t beat the real thing. That’s why COLORSTEEL offers free samples delivered straight to your door; we’ve also got a showroom in Auckland at the Home Ideas Centre for people to see the full-size panels to get a feel for how the product will look on their home.”

By comparing physical samples, it’s easy to see how each colour and finish reacts in different lighting and how it contrasts or complements the other materials being used in a design.

“If it’s a renovation, you can compare with the features that aren’t going to be changing during the build such as existing concrete paths or brickwork.

“For new builds, it’s also really helpful to get an understanding of what your end results are likely to be by either checking out some COLORSTEEL’s showcase projects or just paying attention to new builds or renovations going on near you.”

Pale cedar pairs with the Sandstone Grey metal roofing, giving the home a Scandinavian aesthetic.

We are seeing the use of lighter colours more.

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Taking inspiration from nature

When it comes to colour trends for 2023, the focus is on those that borrow from the tones and textures of New Zealand’s landscape. Sandstone Grey, for instance, mimics the colour of the South Island’s famed Moeraki Boulders.

“It’s been popular in builds, paired with lighter cedar cladding,” says Gen. “Previously there were a lot of dark fills, and while they’re still popular, we are seeing the use of lighter colours more.”

TidalDrift Matte, a smoky charcoal grey with a soft contemporary finish, the ideal accent for a wide range of architectural designs, is also described as an “up and coming” colour.

“Take inspiration from your surroundings and have a bit of a play with that.”