Facade Options for Timber Frame Homes in Perth: How Your Home Can Look and Perform

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear as a timber frame builder in Perth is that timber frame homes have a limited look, or that choosing timber framing means you can’t achieve the same appearance as a traditional double brick home which is what alot of people are used to in WA. In reality, the opposite is true.

A timber frame is the structural backbone of the home, not the finished look. What you choose to wrap it with is where the personality, performance, and architectural style come to life. Timber frame homes can be finished with brick veneer to achieve a classic double brick appearance, or with lightweight cladding, rendered systems, EPS, or a combination of materials for more contemporary designs.

Because timber framing is flexible and adaptable, it actually allows for more facade options, not fewer. Below, we break down the most common facade options for timber frame homes in Perth, and what to consider when choosing the right finish for your home.

Facade Options for Timber Frame Homes in Perth: Why Facade Choice Matters

When building a timber frame home, the facade isn’t just about appearance. It plays a role in durability, maintenance, thermal performance, and how the home responds to Perth’s climate. This is why understanding the different facade options for timber frame homes in Perth early in the design process is so important.

Because timber frame construction is lightweight and adaptable, it allows different facade systems to be integrated without complex structural changes. This makes it easier to design homes that are both high-performing and visually considered from the outset, whether the goal is a traditional look or something more contemporary.

Brick Veneer Timber Frame Homes in Perth

While it’s not the most common choice we see today, brick veneer can absolutely be used on timber frame homes and is still a good option for clients who prefer a more traditional or familiar look.

In a brick veneer timber frame home, the brickwork is non-structural. The timber frame carries the structural load, with the brick acting as an external skin. This means you can achieve the appearance of a brick home while still benefiting from the faster build times and improved thermal performance that timber framing offers.

Brick veneer can work well for:

• traditional or contemporary home designs

• clients looking for a low-maintenance external finish

• areas where brick is a common or expected streetscape material

When it’s detailed and installed correctly, brick veneer performs reliably in WA conditions and integrates well with timber frame construction.

Our Ocean Reef Project - A contemporary timber frame home featuring a brick veneer garage that ties back to the garden bed, paired with a mix of James Hardie cladding profiles to create balance and visual interest across the facade. The combination of materials adds depth and contrast while keeping the overall design cohesive and considered.

Lightweight Cladding for Timber Frame Homes Perth

Lightweight cladding is where timber frame homes really open up from a design perspective and is one of the most versatile facade options for timber frame homes in Perth.

Cladding systems integrate naturally with timber frames and allow for a wide range of architectural styles, including coastal, contemporary, Hamptons, and modern farmhouse designs. Common options include fibre cement weatherboards, vertical or horizontal cladding profiles, and architectural sheet products.

Lightweight cladding is ideal if you’re looking for:

• strong architectural lines

• faster installation compared to brickwork

• greater freedom with window placement and facade articulation

  
  

For custom timber frame homes in Perth, lightweight cladding is often chosen to create depth, contrast, and a more design-led exterior, while still maintaining performance and flexibility within the structure.

Rendered Timber Frame Homes in Perth

Rendered finishes are a popular choice for contemporary timber frame homes, particularly where clean lines and minimal detailing are part of the design.

Render is typically applied over fibre cement sheeting or EPS systems, creating a smooth, modern finish that suits architectural homes. Rendered facades work especially well when paired with other materials to add contrast and warmth.

Rendered timber frame homes are well suited to:

• modern or minimalist designs

• homes with strong geometric forms

• mixed-material facades

  
  

Correct detailing and installation are essential to long-term performance, particularly around joints and openings.

Our Ocean Reef Project - A coastal Hamptons–inspired timber frame home featuring James Hardie fibre cement cladding, soft rendered walls, and feature stone detailing.

EPS Facade Systems for Timber Frame Homes

EPS (expanded polystyrene) facade systems are becoming increasingly popular in high-performance timber frame homes in Perth.

These systems combine external insulation and render into a single facade solution, improving the overall thermal performance of the home. For clients prioritising energy efficiency, EPS systems can be a smart addition to a timber frame build.

EPS facades are often chosen when:

• energy efficiency is a key priority

• a seamless rendered appearance is desired

• sustainability and comfort are front of mind

  
  

As with all facade systems, proper detailing and experienced installation are critical.

Mixed Facade Materials: Feature Elements and Architectural Detail

One of the biggest advantages of timber frame home building in Perth is how easily mixed-material facades can be achieved.

Rather than committing to a single finish across the entire home, many clients choose to combine materials to add interest and break up larger elevations. Common combinations include:

• brick veneer to the lower level with cladding above

• rendered walls paired with feature cladding

• fibre cement cladding with stone cladding below as a feature

• feature elements around entries or upper levels

• contrasting materials used to highlight architectural forms

  
  

Timber framing allows these transitions to be detailed cleanly without unnecessary structural complexity.

One of our favourite NSW projects - A high end finish timber frame home installed with James Hardie fibre cement lightweight cladding, paired with feature stone to ground the facade.

The feature stone cladding extended from the external facade, wrapping through the glazed front entry and continuing internally along the hallway. This detail created a clean, uninterrupted visual line from outside to inside, allowing the materials to flow naturally through the home and reinforcing a strong connection between the exterior and interior spaces.

Choosing the Right Facade for Your Timber Frame Home

There is no single “best” facade option for a timber frame home. The right choice depends on your design goals, site conditions, maintenance preferences, and how you want the home to perform long-term.

What matters most is that the facade system is designed to work with the timber frame, not forced onto it later. Early planning and builder input make a significant difference to the final outcome.

A detail view of the garage and upper level of our Ocean Reef Project, where we wrapped the feature brick veneer from the garage around toward the front entry, creating a strong visual base to the home. This is balanced with 3 different profiles of James Hardie lightweight cladding, adding contrast and keeping the overall facade light, modern, and well proportioned.

Final Thoughts

Timber frame homes in Perth offer far more flexibility than many people realise, especially when it comes to facade design. Whether you prefer brick veneer, lightweight cladding, rendered finishes, EPS systems, or a combination of materials, timber framing gives you options.

When the structure, facade, and detailing are considered together from the start, the result is a home that looks considered, performs well, and stands the test of time.

If you’re planning a timber frame home and want to explore facade options that suit your block, lifestyle, and long-term goals, speaking with an experienced timber frame builder in Perth early in the process is key.