Cladding

Cladding: a multi-purpose home solution

Cladding refers to the layering of one building material over another for protection or for aesthetic purposes. Simply put, it is any material used to protect a building’s exterior. Cladding is also used as a tool to direct the flow of water or the force of the wind against a building and controls both elements by preventing them from penetrating the exterior of your home. For example, cladding can be used to channel rainwater towards gutters or away from windows. Cladding is also used for sound control and prevents noise from outside the home, such as cars on a highway, from being too noticeable inside the home. Window cladding is also a possibility and is normally referred to as window capping and is a specialized field.

Cladding is applied to a building by placing a layer of overlapping shingles, tiles, or bricks to the exterior of a building. Materials used can also include a mixture of metals, plastics, and aluminum. This layer is then held in place by metal pegs, wood or mortar and can be applied to a variety of areas around the home such as chimneys, roofs, doors and windows.

Some of the most common types of cladding include stone, timber, weatherboard, fiber cement and brick.

Stone cladding is composed of either real or simulated stone to the exterior of a building that gives a home a natural, rustic appearance.

Timber cladding is composed of horizontal boards and is known for being one of the best insulating options for homeowners. Timber cladding also has the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly than synthetic cladding options.

Weatherboard is composed of reconstituted timber or hardwood that can be colored according to the homeowner's tastes.

Fiber cement cladding is constructed by compressing cellular fiber, cement, and sand and is designed to have a similar appearance to wood, although it has the benefit of being easier to maintain.

Finally, brick cladding is one of the most versatile cladding options because it can be arranged in different patterns or with different colored bricks. Bricks do not need a lot of maintenance and are a valuable material for colder regions that require good insulation.