Types of External Wall Cladding

English: A rear view of Capel Bryngwyn showing slate weather cladding 271391 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The exterior of a building is extremely important in not only improving the aesthetics of the building but in protecting it against environmental damage. Since your home’s exterior is the first thing a buyer encounters, it helps boost the value of the home too. An external cladding also helps provide insulation, thus lowering your energy costs both for heating and cooling the house and protecting it from wind, rain, harsh sun and water seepage. There are many types of external wall claddings that are available these days. And you need to know them well in order to choose the right one for your home.

Types of External Wall Cladding:

Wood: This kind of cladding comes in two options: solid lumbar or wood particleboards. You can choose the kind of wood you want also depending upon the climatic conditions that your home is subject to. Oak and redwood work well for harsh weather. Softwoods like pine are good for more moderate weather. These are hardy and can look classy with nice varnishes or paints though varnishes are preferred to bring out the natural grain of the wood. They can be a tad bit costly. And they are great insulators against wind and weather conditions.

Stone: For that rugged and low maintenance external cladding, stone is preferred. Stone could be real or made with other material like concrete. It is normally easy to maintain and clean and offers good protection against elements. Stone varies in cost depending upon the type used.

Tiles: These are made of ceramic or other materials. They come in hundreds of attractive designs, are easy to set and relatively easy to maintain. The cost may vary depending upon the design and quality of tiles. Tiles made of granite and marble maybe more expensive. They need to be cleaned regularly as they may be vulnerable to growth of mold.

Stucco: This is made of cement, sand and water. It is directly applied to the exterior and ends up providing a rough textured look to the building. Paint can be mixed for different looks. With adequate waterproofing done before stucco application, it can provide good protection against water seepage and looks attractive as well. But, its maintenance can be tricky. It is susceptible to mold formation.

Brick: This is one of the oldest options of wall cladding. It is economical and offers good insulation. These bricks are normally externally fixed and provide a rustic, low maintenance façade to your home.

Vinyl: Vinyl cladding is getting more popular these days. These are applied in sheets to the exterior of the house. The finishes offer multiple textures and looks including that of wood. They are very good in terms of protecting against environmental elements. They come in attractive colors and designs. They are very economically priced and low of maintenance.

Steel: Though very hardy even in the harshest of climates like snow, hail, fire etc., they can be susceptible to corrosion if not maintained well. They come in a variety of textures right from wood to corrugated steel. They are a bit expensive too.

As you can see, there is a mind-boggling variety in external wall cladding options in Australia. Do choose one according to your budget and taste.  Also look for good, credible installers who will help your exterior stay maintained and look fresh for years to come.