Exterior wall cladding has evolved quite a bit over the past decade. Nowadays, you can opt for one of several types of cladding materials available, each of which serve different purposes and functions. Depending on your preferences and project’s requirements, you can choose brick, timber, natural stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles, composite timber or metal cladding.
Choosing the right material is not an easy task. You need to analyze the properties thoroughly, understand the pros and cons to find which one is more suitable. Be careful, the right choice can take your house to the next level in both form and function or it can reduce its structural integrity, aesthetics and value.
Let’s explore the benefits of the most well-known cladding materials:
Brick cladding
Brick cladding is one of the most commonly used cladding materials of the last century. Brick cladding improves the appearance of the building while protecting it from harsh weather. It is preferred over other materials because of the numerous benefits it has on offer. The foremost benefit is durability. Bricks are highly durable, non-toxic, fire resistant and cost efficient. Brick cladding supply premium sound insulation and weatherproofing. This highly thermal efficient material if combined with a proper external wall insulation system proves to be a smart investment. You can save up to 25% on energy bills and is considered low maintenance. It is reusable and recyclable, making it a great building option. Bricks are available in a wide range of colors, finishes and patterns.
Timber cladding
Timber cladding has increased in popularity in recent years as a naturally recyclable material, which also enhances the appearance of your home and reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling. It has an excellent sound absorption properties, making your home a more peaceful place. This practical and sustainable external finish is available in a wide variety of wood types, grades and profiles to suit your wall cladding. Canadian western red cedar and Siberian Larch are among the most popular softwoods used today. Sweet chestnut and European oak are two hardwood species which can also be used in timber cladding projects.
Tile cladding
Whether natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tiles add a certain sense of elegance, purity or timelessness to your home. Choosing a sleek modern designs or opting for a natural textured look, tiles are extremely versatile, incredibly durable, long lasting and easy to maintain. They also act as insulators raising you homes energy efficiency. Tiles come in a variety of colors, finishes, shapes and sizes.
Composite timber cladding
Composite timber cladding is a unique combination of recycled wood and plastic, combining the traditional appearance of wood with the durability of an engineered composite. It is available in a range of colors, widths and styles to suit both contemporary and traditional style homes.
Metal cladding
Aluminium, zinc, stainless steel, corten (pre-weathered steel) and copper are all available in a variety of colors and profiles, offering a contemporary, industrial look to your dwelling. The most common types of metals used as cladding are steel and aluminum. Aluminum is the most corrosion resistant. The durability of metal cladding depends on the type of metals used, the building’s exposure type and the effectiveness of corrosion-protection system. Metal cladding can be attached onto an exterior wall in several ways, such as profiled or composite metal cladding.