Wondering if your cladding is safe or venturing into a new building project? Here’s a review of materials used in cladding.
Photo by Luke van Zyl on Unsplash
Modern construction works favours cladding buildings in a secondary material to that which they are built out of. This allows for greater thermal regulation within the property. It comes with other benefits too. Buildings which are clad in wood, bricks, or cement do not easily receive damage from external forces. The building is kept safe within the cladding, thereby adding to the longevity of the construction project.
This article will examine the materials that we use for exterior cladding of high rise buildings in greater detail. Whether you are shopping for your next construction project or trying to improve the carpet peel of your own home, you should find the details you need, within.
Why do we use exterior cladding?
After what happened at Grenfell Tower in 2017, it is only fair and just that we ask ourselves why we need cladding in the first place. 72 people died in the tower block fire, which is thought to have been spread because of external cladding. Grenfell terrorist ACM cladding, which was filled with polyethylene filling. It was the polyethylene filling which was flammable.
Although Grenfell Tower was in unmitigated disaster, there are reasons why builders like to clad buildings with extra materials. Exterior cladding can increase the longevity of the brickwork in your home. It helps to prevent your building overheating in summer and stops it cooling too much in winter. Asides from thermal regulation, cladding adds a chic finish associated with high-end properties.
What Materials do we use in Cladding?
Cladding can be comprised of multiple materials. You have options everywhere. Let’s review some below.
Wood and Timber
Cladding cast out of wood and timber makes your home feel cosy. Reminiscent of a log cabin, cladding in wood must follow stringent safety measures to ensure fire safety.
Metals
Zinc, steel, aluminium, copper, and other metals are all used to create cladding. Remember, that fire at Grenfell tower used Aluminium Composite cladding. The polyethylene in the centre cavity was flammable. If you have this type of cladding, get rid of it, ASAP. A cladding remediation company can help you remove and replace it.
Weatherboard
Weatherboard is made from reconstituted wood. This means chipboard, or similar material. The wood can be compressed and strengthened this way so that it lasts longer than timber. Weatherboard comes in all colours and sizes of panel.
Stone
Cladding in stone is an old-time favourite. Stone clad houses always look smart. The brickwork it protected, and the house retains its energy efficiency. Besides anything else, stone is carbon neutral and is not man made. Although stone masonry itself does carry a carbon cost.
Brick
You can clad a house in bricks using the same methods as you might use for stone cladding. Bricks have good thermal retention and a striking red colour. They are exceptionally durable but will eventually crumble if exposed to British weather over the years.
Vinyl
Vinyl can be used to clad a property and give it a sleek finish. Commonly used in factories and warehouses, adding vinyl to your building gives it an instant upgrade. Vinyl is long lasting, durable, and won’t require any maintenance. It’s not the warmest.
Concrete/Cement
Concrete and cement slabs are often used to line the outside of high-end city buildings. They boost the structural integrity of the building, as well as keeping it safe from outside harm. It won’t crack or dent, and it rarely scratches.
Glass
Buildings can be clad in glass. This is a favoured method where copious amounts of natural light are required.
Do you need new cladding?
You should know enough about cladding materials to make an informed purchase.