The best wall cladding to use will largely depend on design and look. When shopping around, it’s crucial to take into account price, quality, and materials. This house cladding guide examines a variety of cladding choices, as well as the advantages and attractive qualities of each.
Any covering for a building’s exterior wall is referred to as cladding. Either the walls themselves or supporting battens can be used to attach it. A building’s exterior can receive additional protection and have its entire appearance changed by applying wall cladding.
There are many cladding options on the market, including tile, fiber cement, and timber cladding. Each has special advantages of its own.
Wood or metal materials would be a wonderful first selection if you’re looking for a cost-effective cladding option. Fiber cement, composite, or glass are excellent choices if aesthetics are important for a household build. Finally, uPVC is the best option if you want a cladding material that is easy to install and maintain.
Find out more about each choice by reading on.
FIBRE CEMENT CLADDING IS ONE TYPE OF HOUSE CLADDING
Sand, cement, cellulose fibres, and water are the main ingredients of fibre cement cladding materials.
The Cladco Fibre Cement Wall Cladding Boards have a subdued woodgrain effect texture on their surface and provide a high-quality finish for a home. This sort of inexpensive cladding requires little upkeep, therefore maintenance expenses are modest.
Domestic residences frequently have fibre cement wall cladding installed because it provides a long-lasting, low-maintenance surface.
Cement, cellulose fibres, clay, iron, and limestone are all combined to create the composite material known as fibre cement cladding. Sand increases the boards’ natural fire resistance and durability to extreme weather.
A straightforward feather board technique is used to install fibre cement boards, which are a basic option for cladding.
When exposed to hot or cold temperatures, this type of cladding expands and contracts only slightly. There are boards with textured wood grain surfaces that mimic the look of hardwood that come in a wider range of colours.
COMPOSITE CLADDING
A composite material made of wood and plastic is used to make composite cladding. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a cladding material. With eight different colour options, Cladco Composite Wall Cladding is a premium composite choice. In order to fit your home, it is also available in both woodgrain and original finishes.
For residences wishing to update their exteriors, composite cladding is a popular option. Given that composite cladding may be erected either horizontally or vertically, many people opt for it. Moreover, it defends a property’s façade or render.
Cladco Composite Wall Cladding is composed of 40% recycled plastic and 60% FSC® Certified recycled wood fibres. This results in a long-lasting and environmentally beneficial cladding material.
One of the market’s most versatile options for outside cladding is composite. It can be finished with matching Composite Trims and Fascia Boards and cut to specific lengths using simple woodworking tools.
Moreover, composite cladding boards don’t require painting, varnishing, or sanding. When compared to actual wood cladding, they require less care because of this.
WOOD / TIMBER CLADDING
One of the most organic materials that can be used for cladding is timber. It can provide a rustic feel to a home’s exterior when used in that way. While being simple to install, timber cladding requires periodic treatment and upkeep to keep it looking brand new. Timber is incredibly stable from a structural standpoint and is popular with traditional designs.
Due to its adaptability and natural qualities, timber cladding has emerged as one of the most popular cladding materials in recent years. It is one of the market’s most reusable and environmentally friendly exterior cladding systems.
Timber cladding can be used indoors or out, giving a house a warm and natural appearance.
Timber offers a range of possibilities for both classic and modern cladding designs because it is readily available in a variety of colors and styles.
Depending on the look you want, wood cladding can be put vertically, diagonally, or horizontally.
STONE CLADDING
This exterior home cladding style is made up of layers of natural stone. Stone gives buildings a rustic façade that is common in more rural areas. Stone cladding is a popular option for new construction projects that want to stand out from the finishes of the surrounding houses because of its various variants.
A domestic property that wants to give its outside a more classic look can consider stone cladding.
Buildings that are exposed to inclement weather all year round are a fantastic fit for stone cladding. Stone’s inherent qualities lessen the possibility of moisture intrusion and water leaks.
Marble, sandstone, or slate is just a few examples of natural stone products that can be used for stone cladding. In recent years, many consumers have opted for imitated stone veneers as a lightweight substitute. They produce a comparable appearance and are more affordable to purchase and simpler to install on solid walls.
Stone can be laid in consistent lengths or haphazard patterns and comes in a variety of sizes, textures, and cuts.
uPVC CLADDING
An inexpensive cladding option that requires little upkeep and is simple to install and replace when necessary is UPVC or PVC cladding. Anywhere cladding can be put for consistency on a budget, it is commonly found on vacation cottages and mobile rental homes.
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, also known as uPVC, is one of the least expensive cladding choices available. Due to its wide spectrum of colours and moderate weight, it is a preferred option.
Over its lifespan, uPVC requires relatively little maintenance and is simple to maintain. Once fitted, all that is often required is a straightforward cleaning with warm water and a brush.
uPVC contributes to preventing the spread of fire by providing advantageous qualities including fire resistance. Also, it is UV protected to stop the boards from fading from exposure to the sun (see the product details from the manufacturer).
uPVC also has additional capabilities for thermal insulation.
BRICK CLADDING
Brick cladding panels may completely change a home, and there are options to match any architectural style. If you want to recreate a well-liked pattern or just want to keep the outside of your house safe from harm or the elements, brick can be the material for you.
Brick cladding, when applied on exterior walls, can mimic the look of regular red bricks. They also come with the benefit of easy installation. This sort of cladding is offered in huge panels and may be tailored to fit your home.
Brick cladding is a common option for homeowners since it is available in a wide range of hues and designs.
Brick cladding can be used to build a contemporary, durable wall exterior.
METAL CLADDING
Buildings used for agriculture and commerce frequently have metal siding. They provide a metal surface that is simple to maintain and reflects the sector it represents.
Metal Cladding Sheets from Cladco Roofing offer a cutting-edge replacement for conventional building materials like wood. Whatever your project and budget, sheets come in a variety of finishes and colours. Choose between smooth polyester paint, plain galvanised steel sheets, or scratch-resistant PVC plastisol.
Buildings utilised for industry and agriculture frequently have metal cladding covering them. Large household structures like barn conversions are now frequently coated with it in recent years.
The two most widely used metals for cladding are steel and aluminium. Many more colours and finishes are possible when used with a coating.
Being a non-combustible material, metal cladding can offer additional fire safety. Aluminum is typically used for just this reason.
Building insulation is good because to the metal covering. It is a durable material that is ideal for larger working structures.
TILE CLADDING
For homes wishing to stand out and improve curb appeal, tile is a popular choice. Insulation and weather resistance are provided via tile cladding. It can be produced using natural or artificial materials like slate or clay or plastic.
Tile cladding panels are popular for external walls as well as interior uses. Tiles can be customised to produce a variety of designs or just one consistent pattern throughout a building.
This type of cladding can be used in a wide range of imaginative applications thanks to its assortment of colours and finishes. A more traditional look can be achieved with hanging tiles, but they can be more expensive (£55+ per square metre).
Handcrafted tiles can offer a building a more contemporary appearance while costing more up front.
The tiles are a great option for colder climates because of their insulation qualities.
GLASS CLADDING
A contemporary look that lets a lot of natural light into the building is glass cladding. In comparison to other materials, glass cladding is more expensive per square metre; but, because it requires little maintenance and is durable, it is ultimately a better investment.
For architects wishing to add a distinctive touch to a structure, glass cladding has proven to be a popular option. For prominence and flair, glass cladding is frequently used on business or commercial projects.
Glass cladding is minimal maintenance and typically only needs to be cleaned once a year. Large buildings frequently have glass cladding since it doesn’t deform or alter shape over time.
Lightweight panels make it simple to place glass cladding on support battens and create bespoke shapes.
