Cladding is the skin of a garden building and the clearest guide to how it will cope with years of British weather. Two bar sheds that look identical in photos can be built from very different boards.
The three main board types
Overlap
Rough-sawn boards overlap each other like roof tiles. It is the cheapest style and is common on budget sheds. It is less weather-tight and less rigid than interlocking boards, and gaps can open as the timber moves.
Shiplap
Shaped boards with a curved or angled profile that sheds water and interlocks. It gives a smoother finish and better weather resistance than overlap.
Tongue and groove
Each board has a tongue that slots into the groove of the next, giving a tight, rigid wall. It is common on better sheds, summerhouses and bar buildings. Many products combine tongue and groove joints with a shiplap-style profile.
Thickness: compare like with like
Cladding thickness is usually quoted in millimetres. It affects rigidity, how well the wall holds fixings for shelves or a sign, and security. Check whether the figure is the finished thickness after machining or a nominal size before planing, and check whether it varies across the profile. If the specification is unclear, ask the supplier.
Log cabins use much thicker interlocking logs as the structure itself. See log cabin bars.
Frame and floor matter too
Cladding is only part of the building. Look at:
- Framing size and spacing, which hold the walls square.
- Floor and roof boards, often a different material from the walls.
- Roof covering, such as felt, shingles or other materials.
- Treatment, whether pressure-treated or dip-treated, and what the guarantee requires.
Treatment and maintenance
Timber needs protection from the weather. Find out how the building is treated at the factory, whether it arrives ready for use and what the maker requires you to apply and how often. A guarantee may depend on following that schedule. Our guide to treating garden bar timber covers the practical side.
What this means for a bar
A bar will have shelves, a counter and probably a fridge, heater and lights. That means fixings and loads on walls, plus moisture from people and glasses. Thicker, interlocking cladding on a solid frame copes better. Budget overlap sheds can be converted, but expect to add framing and spend more time on weatherproofing.
Ask every supplier for the same three numbers: cladding thickness, frame size and floor thickness. Only then can you compare prices fairly.