Cladding is an essential component in the field of construction that increases the durability of the building and enhances its appearance. Although cladding can modify the look of any property, its main role is to offer a protective cover to the underlying structure. It hinders possibly hazardous outside elements like extreme weather conditions from inflicting structural damage, hence, prolonging the building’s lifespan.
Previously, only traditional materials were applied in the making of cladding panels, but nowadays, there are plenty of variations to optimize results used by brick slip installers. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of different types of cladding alongside their pros and cons.
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Timber Cladding
Timber is considered to be one of the most elegant of the various cladding types. It’s usually applied in long, narrow boards that can be fitted at different angles. The end product of timber cladding can be fully customized to accomplish the decorative finish you are looking after. As an organic source of material, timber panels will be distinct, containing a unique grain patterning that cannot be duplicated, making your building easily recognized from the rest.
Timber cladding is perfect for those looking to lower their carbon footprint. Hardwood timber, to be specific, is a fantastic natural insulator and has been found to have excellent levels of heat retention, meaning that you won’t depend a lot on central heating. In addition, it is composed of absolutely reusable, renewable, and maintainable materials rendering timber the eco-friendliest of all cladding types.
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Brick Cladding
Brick cladding is an excellent option if you are looking to realize a conventional appearance; however, aim to incorporate the latest patterned twist. With the use of the various coloured bricks, cladding installation can be customized to yield a given pattern or design. Contrary to regular bricks produced for the purpose of building walls, cladding bricks are manufactured using lightweight elements and in a variation of colours.
The ability to provide safety assurance and strength of the building is very important, and that’s why brick effect cladding seems beneficial. Brick is one of the robust materials and can offer the needed protection against harmful elements that it may be exposed to.
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Metal Cladding
Although metal cladding is not aesthetically pleasing compared to other materials, it is fantastic, rendering it the best option for commercial buildings. Aluminium and steel are the two mainly used materials for metal cladding.
One of the reasons why metal cladding is ideal for industrial buildings is that it is non-flammable. While it doesn’t mean that the property owner shouldn’t adhere to the fire regulations, it offers an extra layer of protection against fire risk. Another benefit of metal cladding is that it is completely reusable, which signifies that when panels become ineffective, they can be recycled for another purpose with ease.
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Vinyl Cladding
This type of cladding is best suited for persons searching for a fashionable, modern material present in a broad variety of colours. Vinyl is one of the most inexpensive cladding materials with proven energy efficiency, which not only can cut down your expenses during the installation process but also in the long run. Panels made of vinyl can be fitted with an extra insulation layer that creates a temperature-regulating blanket over your building, keeping the house warm during the coldest months and cool during the hottest months.
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Glass Cladding
Many renowned buildings around the world use glass cladding for their distinguishable exterior. Typically applied in industrial buildings, glass cladding effectively poses an instant present-day appearance that most certainly stands out from the rest.
In a nutshell, cladding is essential to every property, whether residential or commercial. From the above, we have seen that there are several types of cladding that we can choose from based on our needs.
