What is Cladding

Cladding is a construction technique that refers to the components that are attached to the primary structure of a building to form non-structural external surfaces, including the weather-exposed outer layer or screen, fillers, insulation, membranes, brackets, cavity barriers, fire breaks, flashing, fixings, gaskets, and sealants.

cladding detail showing the structural aspect of a wall
A typical cladding detail showing the structural aspect of a wall, the insulation layer then the external weatherproofing and fixings.

What is ACM and non-ACM cladding?

ACM

(Aluminium Composite Material) cladding is aluminium sheets bonded to a central core. It is light and versatile and comes in many decorative finishes.  It provides weather proofing and has good insulative properties.

Category 1 ACM has a non combustible core

Category 2 ACM has a polythene core that has been treated with flame retardant chemicals

Category 3 ACM has an untreated polythene core

The untreated polythene core was determined to be a major cause of rapid fire spread at Grenfell Tower.  This was a contributing factor to the tragic loss of life.

An ACM clad building
An ACM clad building

Non-ACM

These cladding types include other materials such as:

Composite panels

Typically something that looks like wood, also known as HPL (high pressure laminate)

An example of a HPL system
An example of a HPL system

Insulated Render

Whilst the render itself in generally non combustible, it is usually applied over Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Insulation blocks.  If the render is not kept free of cracks / chips the insulation behind can ignite in the event of a fire.  As the insulation burns away, sections of the render fall.  Visit our videos page to see the performance of a render system under test conditions.

A render system
A render system

Timber

Timber cladding is more popular on low rise buildings, however it is often used on taller buildings to give a different aesthetic to the facade.  It is also often used as partitions between flats and for decorative screening.

What is cladding
A Timber Cladding System

EPS

(Expanded Polystyrene) used as an insulation material behind a rendered or metal finish.

EPS insulation being installed
EPS insulation being installed
fire test
A still from a fire test video showing EPS Insulation after 2m 14s of exposure to flame.

What is an EWS1 Form?

EWS stands for External Wall System.

The EWS1 Form was introduced in December 2019 to give lenders more confidence in offering mortgages on apartments built before changes to the building regulations in 2018.  It was developed by lenders and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), to make the valuation process easier.

The form is completed by a competent surveyor following an intrusive survey of the external walls.  The building construction documents (O&Ms) can be used in conjunction with a survey report, however an EWS1 Form cannot be completed solely on the contents of O&M documents.

The EWS1 Form can provide confirmation that the material on external walls poses a limited risk of fire or is non-combustible. Alternatively, if materials do pose a fire risk, a Fire Engineer needs to complete section B2 which will detail the necessary remedial works.  A Fire Engineer may also issue instructions for ‘Interim Measures’ such as a waking watch.

Any EWS1 Form needs to be reassessed if any significant changes occur to the external wall or attachments of the building and is valid for up to 5 years from the date at which it is signed.

The EWS1 Form has unfortunately caused severe problems with lenders requiring it on buildings for which its was not designed. It has also held up valuations and financing on many properties.

In January 2021 the RICS announced a consultation to review the EWS1 Form and process with a view to making it much clearer as to which properties require it and hopefully open up the lending market as a result. See our News page for further updates.

Click here to see the EWS1 Form

Why Work With Cladding Consulting?

end-to-end-service

End to end service

From discovering you have combustible material on your building through to receiving remediation funding everything is taken care of.

knowledge-and-experience

Knowledge and experience

Our in depth understanding of BSF requirements and experience in working with developers means we avoid unnecessary funding delays or exclusions.

complete-professional-team

Complete professional team

We use a comprehensive team covering all necessary specialties from surveyors to designers and fire safety engineers who have already navigated the process and can work together seamlessly.

Testimonials

The remediation of the fire safety defects in our building is an immense and complex project, which involves the removal of all the external brickwork. Cladding Consulting has been outstanding at handling this project, including dealing with our funding requirements from an initial application for Government funding to now working with the developer on our behalf. Cladding Consulting has also provided us with an excellent team of professionals to complete the project.

Date of experience: 28 May 2025

I was really impressed with Cladding Consulting especially Margaux Randall. They listened and tried very hard to find a suitable outcome. Their understanding and empathy for a stressful situation was really appreciated. I felt they really wanted to help and not just quote policy etc. They have impressed us hugely on how they are dealing with our particularly difficult situation with our development.
They show great professionalism and we have confidence in them bringing everything to a satisfactory end. We would strongly recommend Cladding Consulting and Margaux.

Date of experience: 28 April 2025

In what is a difficult co-ordination role, liaising with many different stakeholders, we have found Cladding Consulting to be responsive, effective and considerate. There has been extensive and clear communication which is very welcomed. It is good to know that when you reach out with questions and concerns, you are heard. A big thanks to Steven and the team.

Date of experience: 31 August 2024

Cladding Consulting have proved to be a very proficient and professional company having this summer successfully applied for government funding on behalf of an apartment building for which we are managing agents. From our point of view, the process has been seamless and stress free. Also, Cladding Consulting have proved to be excellent communicators in keeping apartment owners up to date on a regular basis as to the status of the funding process, being stage one, and the cladding replacement project in general which can now move to the onsite planning and tender stage.

Date of experience: 26 July 2024

Home From Home

I have called them to ask some questions and Mr Steven Truman is amazing person, he has spend his time to help me even I am not their customer he even gave my some lawyers numbers so I can get more help. Thank you so much Mr Steven.

Date of experience: 10 June 2024

Mr Cemil Gonul

A very professional service. Steven Truman is helpful and very knowledgeable.

Date of experience: 01 June 2024

S Ward

Steven Truman was super helpful. There are some real bad actors dealing with cladding issues so it was a breath of fresh air to speak to someone who can seems to genuinely care.

Date of experience: 22 May 2024

Rupert Nahum

Cladding Consulting had been extremely helpful in guiding and advising the lessees of a building in which our son is a leaseholder. . Cladding Consulting were appointed in March 2022 by the leaseholders. To date they have helped them to navigate this complex area, arranged introductions to and facilitated communications with all the necessary experts
When the building safety fund was recently announced for mid rise buildings Cladding Consulting submitted an application to the fund. on behalf of the leaseholders.

Date of experience: 08 March 2024

Customer

Steven Truman provided me with excellent, extremely timely advice as to the technical specifications of a cladding system on a block of flats we’re looking at purchasing. He is clearly an expert, who is aware not only of the latest regulatory changes but also how the wider industry is reacting. I’m personally very grateful to him, as this is a difficult field for a non-expert to navigate. I’ll certainly be using him for future enquiries and recommend him highly.

Date of experience: 19 March 2021

Tom Newton

Steven was able to review all the appropriate material and respond extremely rapidly with comprehensive and professional advice.

A much needed light in a very dark tunnel!

Date of experience: 18 March 2024

J Thornton

Extremely knowledgeable and very professional. They seem like they genuinely want to help - I haven't proceeded yet but they've been happy to invest time and advise me free of charge.

Date of experience: 29 September 2021

Henry Elston

Steven has led a great team effort both in LRM but also enlisting the support of two other consultants Harris & Say who have all worked together to navigate this difficult path to BSF approval which has now been achieved - a great result for which they should all rightly take the credit. This is a moment to be thankful for such great professional support.

Date of experience: 10 September 2021

Peter Smith

Delighted with the result achieved by Steven Truman and his team at Cladding Consulting in obtaining a 100% government cladding grant on our behalf.

Date of experience: 10 September 2021

Mike

Image of cladding wall

What is cladding?

Image of building

What is ACM & non-ACM cladding?

Cladding Remediation Fund Image

What is an EWS1 Form?

experts

If you are applying to the government cladding remediation fund you can leave all the hard work to us as we are familiar with every detail. We will be by your side throughout the entire journey, no matter where in the process you bring us in, and we will see it through to completion so that you can sleep soundly at night.