Cladding for Homes and How it Can be Your Ultimate Solution for Home Improvement & Protection

In a country like South Africa, cladding is a great way to protect a building from bad weather and other annoyances that could threaten the structure. The addition of creative patterns or decorations to walls via wall cladding is a great way to mimic more traditional wall constructions at a fraction of the thickness. Additionally, wall cladding can regularly be changed to adhere to current fashion trends, unlike solid walls.

What is Cladding?

What is cladding? You might have watched cladding installation advertisements on your television or social media. But what is the real meaning of cladding in South Africa?.  Well, according to the definition of cladding, it is a material coating applied to any surface, including built structures.

Benefits of Using Cladding Around the House

Any home would benefit massively from cladding and can be your ultimate solution for home improvement and protection. Cladding accomplishes the exceptional feat of providing both functional and aesthetic advantages. It is a method of the building where one material is stacked on top of the foundation material to give the structure more protection from the weather. So, below mentioned are a few cladding benefits of house claddings:

• Superb Durability 

To make claddings incredibly strong and lasting, composite materials like wood and plastic are specifically used in their manufacturing. The exterior wall is shielded from all forms of weather with exceptional materials that resist deterioration. When the weather frequently fluctuates from hot to cold and back again, this type of cladding can handle it with ease.

• Thermal and Noise Insulation

The popular exterior cladding has an effective heat insulation technique. For those looking to lower their heating and cooling expenses, this thermal insulation is fantastic. To keep your home warm throughout the winter months, there is sophisticatedly built ultra-shielding exterior wall cladding.

People detest invading others' privacy and also love their privacy. For noise insulation, new outside cladding materials have been developed. Now you can celebrate holidays or other occasions without annoying your visitors. These sorts of claddings have a convenient mechanism. They are made primarily to detect noise-producing sound waves, preventing the sound from escaping through your walls.

• Pleasing Appearance

The exterior design of your home is much more important than the interior design because it will be the first thing that visitors or guests will notice when approaching your home. With the right external cladding, you can have an aesthetic cladding that is ultra-shielded and fits your taste perfectly. 

These claddings are available in a variety of sizes, finishes, and colours, including Brown, Light grey, Dark Grey and Teak. You can choose from a variety of textures and colours from various manufacturers based on your preferences.

Different Types of Claddings That are Available in the Market

 Following are the top 11 types of Wall Claddings:

1. Wood Cladding

Wood continues to be one of the extremely appealing cladding materials. Strong, narrow boards that can be laid horizontally, vertically, or diagonally are generally used for wood cladding. This enables total customization to achieve the desired visual result. Each panel will be unique and have a distinguishing grain pattern that cannot be duplicated because wood is an organic substance, helping your property stand out from the competition.

2. Stone Cladding

In contrast to other cladding types, stone finishes are more typically found on residential structures than on commercial ones. Stone is perfect for providing homes with an elegant, sumptuous appearance and a cozy, "country home" feel. Natural stone cladding can be installed, but because it is expensive, many people select its imitations instead. Simulated stone is a great way to cut costs without compromising strength and beauty.

3. Vinyl Cladding

Vinyl cladding is ideal for individuals looking for a chic, current material that is available in several colors. Vinyl can help you save money now and in the future because it is one of the least expensive cladding materials that is also well-known for its energy efficiency. Additionally, insulation can be added to panels to create a blanket that regulates temperature and keeps your home comfortable all year round.

4. Plasterboard Cladding

A form of drywall called plasterboard is frequently used to coat interior walls and ceilings. The plasterboard panels, which are commonly made of gypsum or calcium sulfate dihydrate, are made by pressing the facer and back together. These boards may be easily cut with a craft knife and are adjustable. Jointing tape can be used over the plasterboard joints to produce a smooth surface.

5. ACM Panels Claddings

ACM cladding panels are becoming a more and more common option for building exteriors. Aluminum composite materials composed of two layers of aluminum encasing a core layer of polyethylene are used to create ACM panels. ACM cladding panels are a great option for bustling commercial properties because of their excellent durability and low maintenance requirements. Additionally, they come in a variety of colors and finishes, offering architects more creative freedom when creating facades. ACM cladding panels are also offered with a fire-resistant core, which makes them a safe and useful choice for commercial renovation projects.

6. Weatherboard Cladding

When considering the various cladding options, many individuals make the error of presuming that wood and weatherboard systems are equivalent, but this is inaccurate. Although weatherboard cladding is made of wood, synthetic wood has been utilized in place of real hardwood. 

7. Glass Cladding

Lightweight glass is easily formed to fit the dimensions of any building and can be constructed in different shapes for a unique design. Since the material won't fade or deteriorate, glass cladding only needs to be cleaned at least twice a year. It won't show any signs of endangering the ecosystem and is more than capable of withstanding the erratic African weather.

8. Brick Cladding

Brick cladding is great if you want to get a traditional appearance similar to stone. But make an effort to include a modern pattern. By arranging your cladding differently, you can use different colored bricks to produce a certain pattern or style. Cladding bricks are constructed from lightweight materials and are available in a range of colors, as opposed to regular bricks, which are made primarily to be used in the construction of walls.

9. Fiber Cement Cladding

Additionally, fiber cement, a composite material, can be used for both interior and external cladding. A composite material is by definition any material that has been created using two or more significant components to make a new substance with unique features. Fiber cement is made out of cement, sand, filler, and cellulose, an organic material found in plant cell walls.

10. Metal Cladding

Even though it cannot provide the striking, distinctive aesthetics that other materials can, metal cladding is the greatest option for industrial buildings since it is highly durable. The two most popular metals for cladding are steel and aluminum, and each has benefits and drawbacks.

11. External Foam Cladding

External foam cladding, also known as External Insulated Finish System, offers the highest level of insulation of any system type. The foam used to make panels is specifically designed with a reinforced core for that usage. Then the foam is covered in a fiberglass mesh to increase the cladding's strength and impact resistance. Depending on how much insulation you require, there are different panel thicknesses available. All of them may be made to order in any shape to fit any building.

How to Choose Which Type of Cladding Makes Sense for Your Development Needs

With a plethora of cladding options available in the market, it becomes difficult to decide which type of cladding one should use. We have summed up about few things to consider when you decide to choose a type of cladding that makes sense for your development.

1. Consider the Insulation of Your Cladding Types

Insulating your home is essential for lowering energy costs and minimizing its environmental impact. Be careful to look at the energy ratings when looking for the best cladding to discover which choice offers the finest insulation. Regardless of the climate where you live, installing cladding with the maximum insulation value can help keep heat inside the house during the winter and keep heat out during the summer.

2. Consider the Aesthetic Appeal

Your home's architectural attractiveness should be complemented by the cladding material. When choosing the right cladding material, be sure to picture the final result once the cladding system is installed.

Picking the right cladding material can be challenging because there are so many options available, including wood, stucco, vinyl, metal, and tiles. As a result, you should think about getting advice from The Composite Company cladding experts. An expert can help you decide whether you want to appear current and stylish or natural and rustic.

3. Choose a Cladding Type that Requires No to Low Maintenance

To guarantee that they last the whole length of their estimated lifespan in top shape, all exterior cladding materials need to be regularly maintained. To prevent the impacts of dampness, you might need to treat wood cladding with a coating that resists rot.

Because of this, before settling on a certain product, you should decide how much money and effort you are willing to spend maintaining the external cladding. To maintain the product's structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, be sure to consult a qualified contractor about the optimal maintenance strategy.

4. Efficacy and Longevity

External cladding will frequently be subjected to inclement weather, such as intense cold and heat, rain, wind, snow, hail, and storm. Depending on the specific environmental circumstances, cladding materials perform differently and last longer.

For instance, metal cladding is among the most durable materials, but exposure to corrosive coastal regions can shorten its durability and longevity. When exposed to direct sunshine, the stone is prone to cracking. Depending on the local environmental factors, choose a cladding product with a rated lifespan and durability.

5. Budget

Set a fair budget for your external cladding while taking into account the expense of installation and upkeep. Choose a cost-effective cladding option, but be careful not to overspend on it.

Conclusion

The purpose of cladding is to protect a property's structure from bad weather and other damaging factors. It can offer other unusual benefits like insulation and noise reduction in addition to significantly boosting a building's aesthetic appeal. By taking into account the cladding suggestions provided above, choose your type of cladding properly.

If you are looking to choose the best types of Cladding options in South Africa then look no further and contact The Composite Company today.