The invention provides a resiliently deformable construction element covering (10) which permits a structure constructed using said covering to deform in sympathy with weather and other natural forces and to recover to substantially to its original state. The covering (10) includes a resiliently deformable film (12) having at least a portion (46) extending beyond the surface of the construction element (40) onto which the film is to be applied thereby to a define a flap (46) which overlaps onto an adjacent construction element, and an adhesive (16) for applying the film (12) to the construction element. The covering (10) also includes a coating composition or system (22) capable of being applied to the film and of dissipating most of any decorative damage over an area around a stressed area of the film which is causing the decorative damage thereby to form individual cracks in the coating composition that are substantially invisible to the naked eye. The invention also extends to a pre-manufactured construction element (40) for use in assembly of structures using semi-skilled labour.