Hassocks home renovation
Hassocks home renovation
| Location | Sussex |
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Hassocks bungalow renovation, a 1930s home reimagined in Sussex.
Tucked away in the Sussex countryside, this once modest 1930s bungalow has taken on a striking new identity. What began as a compact single-storey home is now a bold, contemporary property, wrapped in Millboard Envello cladding and ready for family life and relaxed entertaining.
Homeowners Andy and Lisa set out to double their interior space and create a home that felt considered from every angle. They wanted a warm, modern exterior that would sit comfortably within the street scene, while still offering something special when you turn into the drive. The result is a complete transformation, with Millboard Envello Shadow Line+ resin mineral composite cladding in Burnt Cedar playing a central role in the design.
The brief: more space, more character, more kerb appeal
The original bungalow had plenty of potential but lacked presence. The façade was simple and unremarkable, and the rear elevation did not do justice to the garden or the way the couple wanted to live.
The renovation brief was clear:
- Extend the footprint to create generous, open-plan living areas
- Introduce a strong architectural design with clean lines and rich texture
- Improve kerb appeal without clashing with neighboring homes
- Choose materials that look like real timber, but without the upkeep
With busy lives and a love of outdoor living, Andy and Lisa knew that traditional timber cladding would demand regular staining and ongoing maintenance. They wanted the look and warmth of wood, but with long term performance built in.
Choosing Millboard Envello Shadow Line Burnt Cedar
The couple invested a lot of time researching external finishes, ordering samples from almost every wood-look composite cladding brand they could find.
Many of the boards felt flat, overly shiny, obviously plastic or with obviously repeated grains. They were determined not to compromise on the appearance of the home, so kept searching.
That changed when the Millboard products arrived.
Andy and Lisa were immediately struck by the depth of the grain and the natural variation in tone across the Envello Shadow Line Burnt Cedar boards. The cladding had a tactile, timber-like quality that was missing from the other samples they had seen. In their words, it felt “quite simply in a different league” to anything else on the table.
Burnt Cedar offered the darker, dramatic finish they were drawn to, but with a softness and warmth that worked beautifully alongside brick, glazing and landscaping.
Visualising the design at the London Showroom
To be sure of their choice, Andy and Lisa made a special trip to the Millboard London design space in Clerkenwell. Seeing the Burnt Cedar Envello Shadow Line+ cladding boards installed on a full-height wall gave them the confidence they needed.
They were able to step back, view the play of light across the shadow lines and imagine how a 12 meter wide expanse of cladding would feel on their own home. The team in the showroom talked them through detailing, fixing methods and layout options, reassuring them that Burnt Cedar would be the right solution for both the front and rear elevations.
That visit moved the project from mood board to reality. With the product and color confirmed, the rest of the exterior palette could fall into place.
A bold new frontage with real kerb appeal
From the street, the transformation is immediate. The rich charcoal tones of the Burnt Cedar composite cladding frame the new windows and entrance, giving the house a confident, contemporary outline. The horizontal Shadow Line profile introduces rhythm and depth, with crisp shadow gaps that help to visually elongate the façade.
Where the original bungalow could easily be overlooked, the renovated home now has a clear sense of identity. The dark cladding contrasts beautifully with lighter elements such as render, brickwork or paving, yet it still feels in tune with the surrounding properties rather than competing with them.
Visitors are frequently surprised to learn that the cladding is not real timber. Andy and Lisa regularly hear comments about the warmth and character of the exterior and find that most guests assume it is natural wood.
A calm backdrop to family life at the rear
At the back of the property, the Millboard cladding creates a seamless backdrop to the garden and outdoor entertaining area. Large glazed doors open out onto the space, with the Burnt Cedar boards drawing the eye horizontally and visually widening the elevation.
By using the same cladding to wrap around the extension, the design feels cohesive from every angle. Whether viewed from the lawn, the kitchen or an upstairs window, the exterior reads as one considered composition rather than an old bungalow with a bolt on addition.
Because Millboard products do not require regular sanding, staining or painting, the couple can enjoy the view without worrying about ongoing demanding upkeep. The finish is designed to provide exceptional fade resistance, so the rich tones of Burnt Cedar will remain consistent season after season.
Wrapped in quality
For Andy and Lisa, choosing Millboard cladding has defined the whole renovation.
They describe the house as feeling “wrapped in quality”, and see the cladding as the decision that pulled everything together. After comparing so many alternatives, they are confident that no other composite cladding would have delivered the same balance of realism, performance and style.
The authentic timber look of the boards has brought warmth and character to what could otherwise have been a very plain exterior. The refined detailing of the Shadow Line+ profile has introduced a sense of architectural polish, while the durability of the material offers reassurance for the future.
Considering composite cladding for your own project
If you are planning a bungalow renovation in Sussex or a contemporary extension anywhere in the UK or overseas, this project is a powerful example of how the right cladding can completely change the feel of a property.
Millboard Envello Shadow Line Burnt Cedar composite cladding offers:
- The look of charred timber, without the fragility
- Long lasting performance with minimal maintenance
- A finish that offers exceptional fade resistance, to help keep colours looking fresh
- A realistic grain and texture that many people mistake for real wood
Bring your ideas to life
Feeling inspired to transform your own property exterior?
- Order free samples of Millboard decking and cladding to compare finishes at home
- Visit a Millboard Experience Centre to see full displays and speak to an expert
- Explore more real life case studies to see how Millboard products perform on homes of every style
From modest bungalow to confident contemporary home, this Sussex renovation shows just what is possible when design vision meets the right materials.
Sunset on the St. Croix
The Contour Garden
