When it comes to protecting your house from external conditions, installing external cladding is crucial. External cladding is essentially a non-load-bearing material that acts as a protective skin for the building and its interior.
With the smorgasbord of materials available for exterior house cladding applications, you may be wondering which material is right for your home. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a cladding system for your house exterior.
Performance
The first and most important aspect to consider when choosing an exterior cladding system is its ability to withstand the climate of your home's location. Some cladding materials can stand up against certain climates better than others, so it's best to choose your cladding based on the climate of the area you live in.
If you live in a hot climate and are keen on keeping your energy costs down, timber cladding can be an excellent choice. Timber is a thermally efficient natural cladding material that will prevent heat transfer from outside into your home, thus lowering your cooling costs.
However, it may not be a suitable choice for you if you live in an area with a wet climate, as timber does not cope well in damp environments. Likewise, a metal cladding system may not work for people living in coastal areas, as the salty air can lead to faster corrosion of the metal substrate.
Maintenance
There's no such thing as a completely maintenance-free cladding system for homes. All cladding systems require some level of upkeep to remain structurally sound and to keep looking nice.
With that said, you should know the kind of maintenance your cladding system will require throughout its life, as well as the time intervals at which such maintenance will be required.
Neglecting maintenance on your cladding system is the easiest way to lose the protection that the system provides, so make sure you choose a product you can look after without problems.
Aesthetics
As the outermost part of your house, your cladding system will influence the overall appearance and beauty of your home. Consider the colour, finish, and other visual aspects of your exterior cladding system to ensure you complement the style and kerb appeal of your home.
Beautiful home exteriors will boost the resale value of the property if you opt to sell it in the future.
While all cladding materials will provide some level of protection against the outside elements, each has unique pros and cons that should be carefully assessed to determine if it would work well for you. For more information about the available exterior cladding solutions, contact a local cladding contractor.
