Many valuable factors are considered when building a home in the UK to attain the complete package. Beauty, protection, durability, functionality, and weather resistance are vital aspects of any home.
One part of the home to put serious thought into is the exterior. It’s okay to want your home façade to stand out, but you must ensure it’s well-preserved against the weather and its elements. This leads to the installation of rainscreen cladding.
Rainscreen cladding is essentially the protective layer of any building’s exterior. So, think about it as that extra shield that preserves the beauty of your home. However, the major issue with rainscreen cladding is knowing what materials to use.
Should you go for metal cladding such as aluminium and zinc? Or are you better off sticking with fibre cement? Perhaps stone-and-wood cladding is the combo your building has been lacking? It’s essential to learn the truth of rainscreen cladding and if some materials are more effective than others.
A Look at The Different Cladding Materials
The easiest way to decide on the type of cladding material your home needs is to look through the various options. You can come to a fitting conclusion by learning their perks and downsides. We look at the significant types of rainscreen cladding and what they offer.
1. Vinyl Cladding
Kicking off this list is the most commonly used rainscreen cladding. It boasts excellent affordability and durability, and the level of maintenance needed is relatively low for rainscreen cladding. Since vinyl is a type of plastic, it has a good lifespan, lasting over 50 years if well-maintained. At the same time, vinyl beats its counterparts when it comes to energy efficiency, consuming way less than the rest.
Vinyl cladding is known for its similar appearance to wood grain and painted clapboard, something homeowners won’t mind. However, it is non-renewable, a significant drawback in its use.
2. Brick Cladding
There are multiple reasons why brick cladding is commonly used. These reasons boil down to beauty and easy access. It’s gotten from clay, making it an accessible material to source. At the same time, most cladding installation companies have experience working with brick cladding, so an easy installation process is another factor to tick.
Moreover, these bricks don’t need to be painted, possess incredible insulating properties, and can be easily recycled. Although bricks are easily accessible, it takes a lot to produce them, and this process accounts for a part of the carbon footprints.
3. Metal Cladding
Finally, metal cladding is another common choice for shielding your home exterior. It’s well appreciated for its architectural and stylistic versatility. It’s also associated with some of the most durable cladding panels, allowing homeowners to explore their choices without worries.
Metal cladding edges the rest when it comes to resistance. Factors like fungal or mould growth, rain, snow, and insects cannot damage the panels. Even damage caused by fire is prevented by the use of metal cladding. The significant downsides to metal cladding are cost and vulnerability to dents.
Making up your mind
It’s essential to take your time when choosing rainscreen cladding materials. It would be best to look at factors such as budget, home types and needs, location, and so on to reach the correct conclusion.
