Professional Guide

Best Breathable Membrane for Garden Walls: 2025 Expert Review

DR Joinery

Expert Joiner & Timber Frame Specialist

Published 12 December 2025

Building a garden room or summerhouse is a significant investment, yet I often see DIYers and even some tradespeople compromising on the most critical protective layer: the breathable membrane.

In York, where we battle constant damp and driving rain, wrapping a timber frame in cheap plastic or non-breathable felt is a recipe for disaster. It traps interstitial moisture, leading to 'sweating' walls and structural rot before you even realise there's a problem.

The right membrane acts like a gore-tex jacket for your building—letting moisture escape from the inside whilst stopping rain getting in. In this review, I'll walk you through three options I've used on site that suit different budgets and exposure levels.

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Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "UV Stability (3 Months)"

The Theory

"You can leave the building wrapped and exposed for three months before cladding."

The Reality

Whilst technically true, UV light degrades these fabrics faster than you think. In my experience, you want the cladding on within a fortnight, especially if we have a rare sunny spell in Yorkshire. Wind damage is the bigger risk during delays.

The Spec: "Vapour Permeability"

The Theory

"Allows the building to breathe perfectly regardless of construction."

The Reality

The membrane only works if there is an air gap behind the cladding. If you fix cladding directly to the membrane without counter-battens, water gets trapped and the breathability is compromised.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

CROMAR Vent3® Classic Breathable Membrane | High Performance Roof and Wall Underlay

Budget Pick

ARA CHOICE

For a standard garden shed or uninsulated summerhouse, this Vent3 Classic is an excellent efficient choice. It provides the necessary weather protection without the premium price tag of heavier commercial grades. The integral tape is a massive bonus for speeding up the job.

Price£38.29 (at time of writing)

Coverage1m x 50m Roll (50m²)

CertificationBBA Certified

The Good

Excellent price point at £0.77 per metre
Integral tape saves buying expensive joining tape separately
Lightweight and easy to handle solo

The Bad

Thinner material is more prone to tearing in high winds during installation
Grey colour can be visible through open-jointed cladding

Installer Tip:

Because this is on the lighter side, use a hammer tacker with plenty of staples to secure it initially, but get your battens on quickly to hold it firm. Don't leave it flapping in the wind overnight.

Priced at £38.29 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Trade Store Breathable Roofing Felt - Eurovent - Roof Underlay

Quality Pick

Eurovent

If you are building a fully insulated home office or a garden studio intended for year-round use, this is the grade I would recommend. At 115 GSM, it is significantly more robust, offering superior water tightness (W1 rating) and excellent vapour permeability to prevent damp in heated spaces.

Price£68.40 (at time of writing)

Weight115 GSM (Heavy Duty)

Permeability3000 g/m²/24h

The Good

High 115 GSM weight resists tearing effectively
Excellent vapour permeability for heated rooms
Suitable for both walls and roofs (versatile)

The Bad

Higher cost per roll
Slightly heavier to manoeuvre up ladders alone

Installer Tip:

When using this on walls, ensure you overlap horizontal runs by at least 150mm. The printed lines on the face usually guide you, but for vertical wall applications, a generous overlap prevents capillary action drawing water continually inwards.

Priced at £68.40 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

CROMAR Vent3® Pro Breathable Membrane | Heavy-Duty | Green

Problem-solving Pick

ARA CHOICE

This 'Pro' version sits nicely between the budget and premium options. The problem it solves is durability during the build process. It has better tensile strength than the Classic, meaning fewer accidental tears when you're wrestling a 50m roll around a corner in a Yorkshire breeze.

Price£49.79 (at time of writing)

GradeHeavy-Duty Performance

ColourGreen

The Good

Superior tensile strength prevents rips during fixing
Good balance of performance and price (£1.00/m)
High breathability reduces condensation risks

The Bad

Slightly more expensive than the Classic version
Green face might show through widely spaced slat fencing/cladding

Installer Tip:

Use this specific product if your site is exposed to the elements. The extra tear strength is worth the extra tenner if it stops the wind shredding your work before you get the cedar cladding on.

Priced at £49.79 at the time of writing

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use standard roofing felt on walls?

I strongly advise against it. Traditional bitumen roofing felt is non-breathable. If you wrap a timber frame wall in it, you trap moisture inside the stud work, which leads to rot. Always use a proper breathable membrane (often called 'house wrap' or 'breather membrane') for timber walls.

Which way round does the breathable membrane go?

Generally, the printed side faces outwards (towards the weather). This is the water-shedding layer. The inner face is the breathable side. If you get this wrong, you risk drawing water into the wall.

Do I need to tape the joints on wall membranes?

For a simple shed, a 150mm overlap is usually sufficient. However, for a heated garden office or studio, I always tape the joints. This creates an airtight layer that improves thermal efficiency and stops draughts whilst still allowing vapour to escape.

How long can the membrane be left exposed?

Most manufacturers claim up to 3 months of UV stability. However, in my experience in York, you shouldn't push your luck. Strong winds can damage the staples and fixings. Try to get your battens and cladding installed within two weeks for the best result.

Why do I need battens over the membrane?

You cannot fix cladding directly flush to the membrane. You need to install vertical strips of timber (battens) to create an air gap. This allows air to flow behind the cladding, drying out any moisture that penetrates the wood and allowing the membrane to breathe.

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