What Does a Steel Cladding Contractor Do?

A steel cladding contractor in Ireland installs the roof and wall covering on steel-framed buildings — the outer skin that keeps the weather out, the heat in (or out), and the building looking the part. At Sullivan Steel, we install every type of cladding: single-skin steel sheeting, insulated composite panels, fibre-cement sheeting, and full roof and wall systems with all the flashings, gutters and trims that go with them. We work across agricultural, industrial and commercial projects across Ireland, with the cladding spec chosen to suit the building's actual use — not standard kits from a catalogue. Typical cladding install runs 3 days to 4 weeks depending on building size.

Why Choose Sullivan Steel as Your Cladding Contractor

When you're hiring a steel cladding contractor in Ireland, the spec and installation quality determine whether the building stays watertight for 5 years or 40. Here's what makes Sullivan Steel different:

One contractor, full scope. Most cladding contractors work as a sub-trade after the main builder finishes the frame. We handle the frame AND the cladding as one continuous job — same team, same standards, no finger-pointing between trades when something needs sorting.

Spec'd around your building's actual use. We don't push insulated panels on every job or single-skin on every farm shed. The right cladding depends on what the building does — heated workshop, livestock shelter, dry storage, food production. We spec to suit, not to upsell.

In-house cladding expertise. Our team installs every cladding type — insulated composite panels, single-skin with anti-condensation backing, fibre-cement sheeting, profiled steel. We're not learning on your project.

Watertight detailing. The cladding sheets themselves are the easy bit. It's the flashings, ridge cappings, eaves details and gutter junctions that determine whether the building leaks in five years. We obsess over the details that most contractors rush.

Local accountability. Our yard is in Wellingtonbridge, Co. Wexford — a real address, a real team. If a flashing comes loose two years after install, you can ring us directly.

Steel Cladding Types We Install

Every cladding type has a use case where it's the right answer — and uses where it's wrong. Here's what we install and where each fits:

Single-skin steel cladding. One layer of coated steel sheeting, typically with anti-condensation backing for livestock and damp environments. The right choice for most agricultural buildings, dry storage sheds, hay barns, and any building where temperature control isn't a factor. Significantly cheaper than insulated panels.

Insulated composite panels. Two layers of steel bonded to a foam core. Better thermal performance, condensation control, acoustic insulation and finish quality than single-skin. The right choice for workshops, commercial premises, food production, cold storage, and any heated or controlled environment.

Fibre-cement sheeting. Traditional breathable roofing for agricultural livestock buildings. Lasts 40+ years, doesn't sweat like steel can in damp environments, and known quantity on Irish farms.

Profiled steel roofing systems. Box profile, trapezoidal and tile-effect profiles for industrial and commercial roofs. Designed for specific span and pitch requirements.

Wall cladding and rainscreen systems. Architectural cladding for commercial premises where appearance matters as much as function — different profiles, colours and finishes.

Not sure which type is right for your project? See our insulated vs single-skin cladding guide for a full comparison of costs, performance and use cases.

Steel Cladding Across Every Sector

Sullivan Steel installs cladding for every sector across Ireland:

Agricultural cladding. Farm sheds, livestock buildings, hay sheds, dairy parlours, machinery storage. Single-skin with anti-condensation backing for most uses, fibre-cement for livestock-sensitive environments, insulated panels for controlled-environment buildings like intensive pig and poultry units. TAMS 3 grant-compatible.

Industrial cladding. Warehouses, workshops, factories, distribution units. Insulated panels almost always — driven by Part L building regulations for any heated commercial space. We work to industrial specs as standard.

Commercial cladding. Retail units, commercial premises, mixed-use developments. Where the cladding needs to look the part as well as keep the weather out — architectural profiles, custom colours, premium finishes.

Re-cladding existing buildings. Stripping and replacing failed cladding on older sheds. For agricultural buildings hitting end-of-life on their original sheeting, the new TAMS 3 shed roof replacement grant covers up to 60% of the cost.

How Our Cladding Installation Process Works

Every cladding project follows the same approach:

1. Site visit and spec consultation. We come out, look at what you're building (or what you're re-cladding), and talk through how you'll use the building. The right cladding spec depends on the answer.

2. Detailed written quote. Cladding type, thickness, colour, fixings, flashings, gutters, exclusions — all in writing. No vague one-liners.

3. Material ordering. Cladding ordered to spec, typically with 2–6 week lead time depending on type and supplier.

4. Frame preparation. Cladding can only go on a properly aligned frame. We check structural alignment before cladding starts — fixing issues now saves problems later.

5. Roof cladding. Roof always goes first, working from the eaves up to the ridge. Sheets fixed with proper fasteners, sealed laps, end closures.

6. Wall cladding. Walls follow the roof, typically working around openings (doors, windows, vents) with proper closures.

7. Flashings, gutters and finishings. Ridge cappings, eaves trims, valley details, downpipes, gable closures. This is where the build either lasts 40 years or leaks in five.

8. Final inspection. Walkthrough, snag list, any final fixes, sign-off.

For full project timelines from start to finish, see our steel shed build time guide.

Re-Cladding Existing Buildings

Cladding doesn't last forever. Most original steel sheeting on Irish farms and industrial buildings was rated for 25–40 years — and a huge number of those buildings are now well past that. If you're seeing rust through the sheets, recurring leaks, daylight through the roof or loose fixings, re-cladding is almost always cheaper than building new.

We carry out re-roofing and re-cladding across Ireland — agricultural sheds, industrial units, commercial buildings. The new TAMS 3 shed roof replacement grant launched in December 2025 means farmers can recover up to 60% of the cost.

For full guidance on when to repair vs replace, see our re-roofing farm sheds guide.

Certified, Insured and Compliance-Ready

Cladding work involves heights, heavy materials and live sites. Every member of the Sullivan Steel team carries:

• Safe Pass — mandatory for all Irish construction sites
• Manual Handling — for working with cladding sheets
• Abrasive Wheel — for cutting and trimming
• MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) — for working at height
• Working at Heights — separate certification for industrial cladding

We carry full public liability and employers liability insurance, documentation provided on request. For the official safety requirements on Irish construction sites, see the Health and Safety Authority.

Steel Cladding Across Ireland

Based in Wexford, working across Ireland. Most of our agricultural and smaller commercial cladding projects are in the South East — Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary. For larger industrial and commercial work, we travel anywhere in Ireland.

If you're not sure whether we cover your area, ring us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between insulated and single-skin cladding? Single-skin is one layer of steel sheeting — cheaper, used for unheated agricultural buildings and storage. Insulated panels are two layers of steel bonded to a foam core — better thermal performance, required for heated commercial spaces and controlled-environment livestock buildings. For the full comparison, see our insulated vs single-skin cladding guide.

Q: How long does cladding last? Modern coated steel cladding is rated for 30–40 years. Fibre-cement lasts 40+ years. Insulated panels typically 30–40+ years. Lifespan depends heavily on the quality of the installation, particularly flashings and gutters.

Q: Do you do re-cladding on existing buildings? Yes — re-roofing and re-cladding is one of our most common jobs. For agricultural buildings, the new TAMS 3 shed roof replacement grant covers up to 60% of the cost.

Q: Can you match the colour of existing cladding? For most projects, yes. Modern coated steel cladding comes in a wide range of standard colours, and we can match most existing buildings. For older or specialist colours, we'll let you know upfront if there's a sourcing constraint.

Q: How long does it take to clad a building? A typical agricultural shed takes 3–5 days for full cladding (roof and walls) once the frame is up. Industrial and commercial buildings 1–4 weeks depending on size and spec complexity.