Cladding is a key aspect of a building’s aesthetic and its durability. It safeguards the building facade against external elements like weather changes, moisture and deterioration.
Wood is a traditional cladding material that offers many unique styles. However, it is vulnerable to termites and requires extensive maintenance. Fortunately, thermally modified wood cladding delivers a natural look without the drawbacks.
Wood
Wood cladding is an attractive, natural option for building exteriors. It provides a range of styles that complement any design.
Choosing a durable Australian hardwood like Blackbutt or Ironbark, or thermally modified timbers like Vacoa, gives you an environmentally-friendly and long-lasting material for your walls. Natural timber also ages beautifully with time, acquiring a timeless silver patina that adds elegance and character to your home’s exterior.
Cladding made of stone is another classic design choice. It comes in many different colors and textures, and offers durability, longevity, and thermal insulation. It’s also relatively lightweight, reducing construction costs and preventing the need for heavy masonry.
A skilful fusion of traditional materials and modern architecture, this residence features a striking blend of natural stone and heat-treated slats in the form of wooden cladding. The combination of clean vertical lines and playful textural contrasts creates a visually stimulating facade that honours the history of the site and celebrates contemporary lifestyles.
Stone
Natural stone is a popular choice for exterior cladding, adding an element of elegance and class to any building. The material is extremely durable and long-lasting, and it is available in a wide variety of colors and textures to suit any design scheme. It can also add a sense of depth to a structure and increase its overall appeal.
Some of the most popular choices for stone cladding are slate, granite, and marble. Slate is a dark gray metamorphic rock that offers durability and strength, while granite and sandstone provide an elegant and sophisticated look. These stones can be used in a wide range of applications, from the façade of a modern office to the walls of a luxury home.
Another advantage of stone cladding is that it provides a high level of insulation to rooms, which can help save money on energy bills. However, it is important to note that it can be more expensive than other cladding materials.
Metal
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, metal cladding systems offer many functional benefits. For example, they are easier to install than traditional masonry products and concrete and require less maintenance. They also provide adequate insulation that helps reduce heating and cooling costs.
Moreover, they have a high degree of durability and are resistant to harsh weather conditions. They are also lightweight and can accommodate a large surface area, making them ideal for large-scale buildings. They are also versatile and can be shaped, formed, or coated with various finishes to cater to any stylistic vision.
Furthermore, many metals can be recycled, which makes them a sustainable choice for construction projects. They also have a low carbon footprint, which means that they will not have a negative impact on the environment. In addition, they are fire-resistant and prevent rainwater from entering a building. As such, they are a good choice for both residential and commercial buildings.
Precast Concrete
Concrete cladding is an economical material that can be molded into many different styles. Builders can use textures and professionally-applied stains to achieve unique aesthetics that will make your building stand out in the neighborhood. It is also highly durable and can withstand the elements.
Precast concrete cladding is manufactured in a controlled environment, offering superior quality and consistency. It is also fast to install and can help reduce construction site congestion and risk. These benefits are especially important in hospital settings where time is of the essence and medical centers must be up and running quickly.
High-quality cladding minimizes air leakage, optimizes thermal performance and maximizes natural daylighting. It is also effective in sound absorption, reducing the noise from nearby traffic and pedestrians. In addition, cladding that is properly designed will be water-resistant and able to deflect rain, snow, and ice. It will also help minimize humidity and condensation, which can damage the interior. All of these benefits help to ensure that your building will be healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient. It will also require minimal maintenance once it is installed.
External Foam
Rendering foam is a relatively new exterior cladding material that is becoming increasingly popular. It is lightweight, easy to install and comes in a wide range of colours that can be either embedded or painted on later. It is also fire resistant, which means that it can protect your building against flames and smoke. However, there are some dangers and drawbacks that you need to know about before choosing this type of cladding for your property.
According to Civiconcepts, there are a number of different options for wall cladding materials, including stone, brick, vinyl, fiber cement and wood. However, a growing number of homeowners are opting for uPVC wall cladding due to its durability and low maintenance requirements.
This cladding option is suitable for both traditional and modern styles of homes and comes in a variety of colour options, making it easy to find the right look for your home. It is also energy efficient, keeping heat out in summer and retaining it in winter. This can significantly reduce your energy costs over time.