Cladding is the layer of material that is placed on a structure that has already been built. Cladding can be referred to as the appearance or the view given to the walls, floors, facades, plateaus, baseboards or planters. Cladding is mainly a part of the aesthetics, but it also has a protective role towards the structure because it protects the structure by providing thermal insulation and weather resistance.
Cladding is made of a variety of materials, including vinyl, brick, metal, wood, as well as composite materials, which may include wood, aluminum, recycled polystyrene, rice or wheat straw fibers. Another form of cladding is referred to as rain screen cladding. This is specifically a weather cladding whose role is to protect the building against the elements and thermal insulation. The cladding is not waterproof but is a control element. It just directs the water and wind away from the structure. Cladding can also be used for noise reduction purposes.
Architectural cladding can be divided into two primary groups
- Interior cladding
- Exterior cladding
Materials used to make cladding.
Cladding is made up of a variety of materials, including metal, vinyl, brick, wood, as well as composite materials, including blends of cement and recycled polystyrene, aluminium, wood, rice or wheat straw fibres. The material that is used for the cladding will affect the building’s vulnerability to fire.
How does cladding help?
Most often, cladding is applied to the exterior of the house. But a lot of its benefits also extend towards the interior of the house. Here are four primary purposes behind the cladding.
- Weather protection
Vinyl or metal cladding is perfect for protecting the structure from rain, wind and intense heat radiation of the sun. If your building has flat roof, it will receive additional benefits as the cladding will prevent water from gathering in the roof.
- Thermal insulation
If cladding timber sheets are applied on the walls, they increase the thermal insulation of the room. This works great in the bathroom as tiles since tiles are not very heat absorbent, and having a cladding on the exterior helps to keep the warmth indoors.
- Noise reduction
The cladding’s ability to reduce the noise will primarily depend on its mass. However, if you choose to go for a cladding board, it may not be able to reduce sound by a lot.
- Boosting the aesthetics
Along with the functional properties of cladding, it also works towards boosting the aesthetic appeal of the building. Different cladding materials offer different types of appearances. For example, if you choose to go for timber cladding, you will bring out the natural ones and the colour of the building. If you choose to for metal cladding, it will give the building a professional and sleek look.
The cladding you select for your building will not only depend on the looks but also on the purpose the cladding is meant to serve. Therefore, make your choice depending on your budget and as well as your needs. To find out more information about cladding, check out LitCore.
