Cladding is a term used in construction to refer to when a new material is installed on top of another material to form a protective skin and increase the aesthetic appeal of a building. Cladding can be done internally and externally to protect the walls against the harmful effects of weather. Adding a layer to an existing wall helps protect it from weather elements such as wind, snow, heavy rain, and sun.
In construction, industrial cladding help improves weather resistance, thermal insulation, and visual appeal. The cladding system ensures that water or other chemicals don’t come into contact with the original materials used to construct a wall, thereby extending the lifespan of a building.
Wall cladding Panel takes different shapes, has a wide range of benefits and requires different materials. Keep reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
Types of Wall Cladding
Usually, wall cladding comes into distinct types:
1·Interior cladding
This is layering the internal walls with another material to increase their attractiveness and protect them from water damage.
2·Exterior cladding
The process of installing a material over the original material used to construct external walls to provide extra protection against adverse weather conditions.
Types of Wall Cladding Materials
According to experienced industrial wall contractors, several materials can be used for wall cladding, including:
1. Vinyl Cladding
Vinyl cladding is ideal for those looking for a versatile material with different textures, colours, and designs. It’s cheap, durable and easy to maintain and install. Its downside is that it needs regular cleaning.
2. Stone Cladding
Stone cladding is unrivalled for those looking for an eco-friendly, durable, and versatile material for internal and external walls. Stone cladding options include sandstone, limestone, marble, granite, and slate.
3. Fibre Cement Cladding
This cladding system is made of cellular fibre, cement and compressed sand. Its ideal for those on a budget since it’s affordable. The installation and maintenance of Fibre Cement Cladding are less complicated.
4. Metal Cladding
Best suited for industrial wall cladding, metal cladding has high endurance power and can last longer. Metal sheet cladding is the most common type in the UK, especially in industries.
5. Brick Cladding
This cladding system uses bricks to install a protective layer around walls. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to increase their building’s appeal. Additionally, it’s popular with industrial cladding contractors due to its ease of installation and maintenance.
6. Concrete Cladding
Concrete is one of the new cladding materials that come as cladding tiles. Although it’s robust and durable, it takes longer to install.
7. Wood Cladding
Wood cladding is considered the most aesthetically appealing cladding used for the longest time. It’s excellent at insulation, durable, weather-resistant and straightforward to install.
8. Glass Cladding
Glass cladding is a cost-effective and practical alternative to tiling and other decorations. It’s eye-catching and ideal for different commercial exterior and interior walls.
9. External Foam Cladding
External foam cladding has superior insulation properties, is weather resistant and is energy efficient. It’s made from expanded polystyrene, reinforced with fibreglass, which makes it best suited for industrial wall cladding.
Now that we know the different wall cladding types and materials, let’s look at some advantages of cladding.
Benefits of Wall Cladding
- Protects a building from adverse weather conditions, such as rain, wind, sun and storm.
- Increases the aesthetic appeal of a building
- Prevents destruction of original wall material, thus increasing the building’s longevity
- Safeguards wall material against air and chemical pollution
- Helps in sound insulation and absorption.
