News

Advantages of cladding should be considered when planning a new building. Let’s start with the basics: what is cladding?

Cladding is when one material is coated with another in order to protect it, make it function more efficiently, or simply to make it look better.

Cladding uses a range of different materials, both manmade and natural cladding including wood, plastic, imitation stone and metal. The range of different properties offered by each material is huge.

Key advantages of cladding:

Protects the structure

One of the top reasons for using cladding is that it protects the surface of the building, improving its overall strength and integrity. Well chosen cladding gives a layer of protection which increases the mechanical strength of a building. Cladding can give a building weather resistance, meaning it is less prone to cracking during temperature fluctuations, reduces water absorption during bad weather, and protects the building from the adverse effects of sunlight and chemical pollutants.

Easily maintained

When choosing external cladding for your building project, it’s important to consider the resources and capacity available to maintain the exterior of the building over time. Unlike a painted surface, cladding usually requires minimal maintenance and repair work. 

Vinyl cladding or PVC cladding is relatively low maintenance. Easy to install, it will need a power wash every few years to keep it looking and performing well. Metal cladding brings the obvious durability of the material to the building, with the added advantage of needing comparatively little upkeep.

Brick cladding and stone cladding are probably the most easily maintained, but can be more expensive.

Looks great

The range of colours and cladding materials available on the market today means that cladding offers aesthetically pleasing options for all tastes and budgets. Stone cladding such as granite, slate or marble can add value to your building by giving it a stunning appearance. Some natural stone can be polished or left unpolished, according to your preferred look. Metal and imitation stone can provide similar good looks for less budget, and even the less expensive vinyl or PVC options can look smart and stylish.