Cladding is the construction techniques whereby the components that are attached to the main structure of a building serves as a protection as well as a decorative element.
It protects different weathering agents such as wind, snow, rain, fire, etc.
There is no particular material used for cladding; it ranges from aluminum, ceramic, wood, brick, metal, vinyl, glass, etc. The material used depends on the needs of the user and the circumstances surrounding it; each of the materials used has an advantage as well as a disadvantage.
There are many reasons why a room can be cladded depending on the needs of the user, reasons ranging from weather-proofing, to transform the aesthetic appearance, manage wind loads, to provide thermal insulation, or a combination of all of these and each material serves a particular purpose.
Cladding Material Options
Brick Cladding
This material is used to build and clad home for several years due to its vintage look and appealing nature. Most home-owners love to use brick cladding because of its durability, fire resistance option, insulating properties, among others.
It is a porous material that can absorb rain, and it eventually dries out on its own later, but special attention should be given to it when sealing the joints to avoid rainwater from entering the interiors.
Wood and Timber Cladding
One of the most popular methods of cladding the interior and exterior of a home is wood cladding, as it gives a beautiful look and feel. Due to its unique looks and features, it provides a charming aesthetic appeal to the house.
It has excellent insulation power, and it’s used in most cold countries like the USA, UK, Russia, etc. If sealed with a suitable sealant, it can provide moderate resistance against rain; also, if appropriately maintained, it will last for a long time.
But the major setback is its combustible nature, which is not fire-resistant, but with some select chemicals, it can resist fire to some extent.
Metal Cladding
Aluminum and steel are the most commonly used materials for metal cladding; these materials are mostly used for commercial buildings and factories due to their durability, and the hi-tech look it gives.
They come in different colors and designs with a smooth finish, and the panels are fixed using bolts and screws on the aluminum or steel tubes. A proper waterproofing must be done on it to avoid damage by rain. It also has less resistance against ultra-violet rays, which makes it prone to fading of colors after a while due to the sun.
Natural Stone Cladding
This is another form of traditional cladding materials due to its age-long usage. The solid eco-friendly and natural material is used mostly for exterior cladding of walls due to its durability and high resistance towards rain as well as heat.
Different finishes are available to be coated on stones, which makes it look classic on the exterior of a wall. It needs to be carefully installed due to its heavy nature in contrast to other cladding materials; also, it may be prone to earthquakes due to its brittle nature.
The material options available for stone cladding are; slate, sandstone, marble, granite, limestone, etc.
Glass Cladding
With the invention and introduction of toughened glass, glass cladding has been the modern cladding materials used in the exterior of commercial structures such as shopping malls, banks, clubs, schools, etc.
It is a versatile material and available in diverse types and designs; it can be easily installed using bolts and screws. It has high resistance to rain and heat, and it requires little maintenance and cleaning is very easy.
Vitrified Tile Cladding
This material for wall cladding is available in different options, designs, and sizes. It is made of a mixture of clay, quartz, feldspar, and silica heated at high temperatures together to form a shiny glass type product.
It is affordable to get as against natural stone, it requires little maintenance, and it’s straightforward to clean. It has high resistance against the rain, but the color can fade away gradually due to prolonged exposure to the sun.
uPVC Cladding
This is unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride, it is a cladding material made of PVC, and it’s available in different colors and design, it helps to add an extra layer of insulation to the exterior part of a house. Due to the materials, it is made of, it is light in weight and required little maintenance because it’s easy to clean.
Benefits Of Cladding
Decorative Appeal
The cladding of a home gives it a distinct and classic look, with different materials with various designs. With cladding, an old house can be rejuvenated into a modern house through modern styles and designs available to decorate it with.
Low Maintenance
One of the advantages of cladding a home is that it requires only little maintenance. Due to the materials, they are made of; they are effortless to clean. For instance, glass cladding needs to be wiped with clean cloth or brushes, and it will become new again.
Durability
Most wall cladding types have a long life duration. It can last from 10 to 20 years or more depending on the environmental factors in the area where the building is situated.
Safety and Protection
One of the main reasons for using cladding options is the safety and protection it offers. It increases the mechanical strength of a building; it reduces water absorption, provides resistance to air and chemical pollution, provides resistance to extreme weather that can damage the structure.
Increased Internal Insulation
Depending on the thickness of the cladding used, it offers a higher level of insulation within the house. It reduces the effect of heat and external noise, especially in buildings situated in urban centers.
Ecology and Sustainability
In building structures nowadays, it is of the utmost paramount to take into consideration the environment. The materials used need to be sustainable and meet some environmental regulations depending on the country where the structure is built.
Wall cladding, in this regard, meets all the regulatory standards. It helps in minimizing the level of carbon dioxide, leaving the building.
