Wall cladding has become increasingly popular, with homeowners opting in to give their house a new look with such a simple yet effective overlay. Dating back to the 5th Century, timber cladding was preferred for adorning Anglo-Saxon homes in Britain, where timber cladding was prevalent in regions with extensive forests where wood materials were readily available.
Over time, our choices for home cladding have evolved, with uPVC emerging as the prevalent option. In this topic, Greenoak Concept & Design will be delving into the advantages of uPVC wall cladding for your home, exploring its durability, low maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal, plus a few other factors.
What is cladding on a house?
So, what is cladding on a house? First, we must clarify any confusion between interior and exterior cladding. Like external wall cladding, internal wall cladding (also known as hygiene cladding) is used solely for aesthetic purposes, where materials like timber, gyprock and stone are used to provide an outer layer of skin.
While serving the same fundamental purpose, exterior house cladding is uniquely crafted to shield your home from harsh weather conditions that might threaten its structural integrity.Homeowners often clad over render and pebbledash to achieve a low-maintenance, protective, visually appealing exterior. This enhances the home’s overall look and contributes to improved energy efficiency, but we’ll go into this in more detail.
What are the advantages of wall cladding?
Diving into the realm of wall cladding advantages, we’ll explore five key points that underscore the numerous benefits of this architectural technique:
Low Maintenance
In contrast to traditional timber cladding, PVC wall cladding stands out for its remarkably low maintenance, owing to its durability and easy-to-clean attributes. External PVC wall cladding is frequently chosen over paint or conventional brick, as it only necessitates occasional washing to maintain its fresh and new appearance.
Maintaining the pristine appearance of PVC wall cladding is a breeze, as it can be effortlessly cleaned with a simple solution of soapy water and a cloth. This user-friendly cleaning method not only ensures the longevity of the cladding but also adds to the appeal of choosing PVC for its hassle-free maintenance.
Improve Aesthetic Appeal
Homeowners often opt for exterior cladding to enhance the visual appeal of their property, instantly boosting its curb appeal. With a variety of styles and colours available, the choices are diverse. uPVC wall cladding, for instance, boasts textured wood appearances in various colours, ranging from arctic white to traditional red.
Select shades that harmonise with existing fascia, windows, and doors for a coordinated look, or opt for a contrasting colour to bestow your home with a distinctive and individual exterior appearance.
Great When Paired With Insulation
As the cost of living and heating bills continue to climb, it’s the opportunity to envelop your property in a new insulation layer and cut down on expenses. Pairing external wall cladding with Airtec YBS Insulation Aluminium Foil Bubble presents a smart solution for enhanced insulation beneath the cladding surface.
This strategic combination not only reinforces the protective layer of the cladding but also contributes to improved thermal insulation, providing a more energy-efficient and comfortable environment inside the building. The Airtec YBS Insulation Aluminium Foil Bubble acts as an additional barrier, helping to minimise heat loss and reduce energy consumption, making it a practical choice for those looking to optimise the insulation performance of their exterior walls.
Protects The Structure of Your Home
uPVC cladding proves to be an excellent choice for weather condition protection due to its inherent durability and resistance. uPVC, or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, is known for its robust and weather-resistant properties, making it highly effective in shielding buildings from the elements.
Unlike traditional materials, uPVC does not warp, rot, or corrode when exposed to rain, snow, or harsh sunlight. Its innate resistance to moisture prevents issues such as swelling or decay, ensuring the cladding maintains its structural integrity over time.
Can you use internal cladding on the exterior?
Internal cladding is unsuitable for external use due to its lack of UV stability. To ensure optimal performance in outdoor applications, we strongly advise considering alternative options such as weatherboard cladding, like James HardiePlank.
Unlike internal cladding, weatherboard systems boast UV stability, guaranteeing their durability and effectiveness in external environments. Opting for these systems ensures a reliable and long-lasting solution for your external cladding needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wall cladding emerges as a transformative and practical choice for homeowners seeking to enhance their homes’ aesthetics and functionality. From its historical roots in timber cladding to the contemporary prominence of uPVC, the evolution of cladding materials reflects an ongoing pursuit of durability, low maintenance, and visual appeal.
The advantages of uPVC exterior wall cladding are clear. Its low maintenance requirements set it apart from traditional options, offering an easy-to-clean surface that maintains a fresh appearance over time. The diverse styles and colours allow homeowners to customise their exteriors, instantly elevating curb appeal.
Moreover, the structural protection afforded by uPVC cladding against harsh weather conditions adds to its appeal. Resistant to warping, rot, and corrosion, uPVC is a reliable guardian of a home’s structural integrity, ensuring longevity in the face of varying climates.
