Image by Dmitriy Kruglyak via Flickr
The look and feel of our homes is evolving as we continually improve and update the technology we use. External cladding plays a big role in how your house appears and how it fits in with your local landscape. In terms of curb appeal, it can really make or break your home. Not only this, it needs to be durable and deliver in terms of heat retention, sustainability and cope in a variety of weather conditions.
Different types of cladding invariably offer different benefits. If you’re currently renovating the exterior of your home, or you have ambitions to build your own house, here’s the skinny on all the different cladding options available to you.
Types of external cladding and their benefits:
An extremely popular choice is timber. It has adaptable qualities and can be cut to any size cost effectively making it a practical option for any homeowner. Exterior cladding should be durable and stand the test of time - timber can be treated in a variety of ways to better hold up to the tough weather conditions of your locality. Aesthetically you can also paint it to the colour you wish so it better fits into the environment. Remember though, once you paint you will have to maintain it regularly to keep it looking presentable.
Brick veneer is another incredibly popular choice, particularly here in the UK. Us Brits have traditionally favoured brick builds so brick veneer is likely to fit more closely in with your neighbours. As it camouflages to your wall it remains completely undetectable, and also requires very little upkeep.
Weatherboard is a man-made cladding that has the flexibility of being placed horizontally or vertically depending on the look you’re after. It is the least pricey option of all the exterior cladding types and is specifically designed to withstand changeable weather conditions - a practical choice for here in the UK then!
Concrete external cladding is a budget-friendly option and undergoing somewhat of a resurgence as the industrial look is increasingly celebrated. Because they are produced under stringent factor-controlled conditions, you will get very high quality in terms of texture, colour, design, and more. This is a great option if you need something durable for the long-run as it’s among the most weather resistant of all cladding types and requires virtually no maintenance. Concrete is resistant to rain and strong winds and if you live somewhere that also gets very cold, will also withstand freeze and thaw cycles.
One of the more creative types of cladding is stone. As manufacturers keep adding to the styles and designs, you can shop at increasingly affordable prices. Stone cladding also allows you to choose your favourite faux stones at a fraction of the price with a similar effect to the real thing.
External cladding can really bring your home to life and provide numerous benefits years down the line. Have you any experience of cladding your home?
