Types of exterior wall cladding
Wall cladding is an integral part of Australian architecture because of the huge weather impacts on exterior walls. In addition to providing protection from the harsh climate we experience down under, exterior wall cladding can also impart other benefits such as insulation, noise control, energy efficiency, and enhancing the look of the facade.
In essence, external cladding is the process of adding layers to your walls and is required to withstand several factors be it heat, moisture, or noise, while allowing those within to live and work comfortably. Cladding reinforces the strength of the main structure, and plays a role in ensuring your home remains at comfortable temperatures throughout the seasons and potentially increasing the energy efficiency of your home.
Common materials used for wall cladding
Selecting the type of cladding to use for your project will come down to various factors such as budget, the desired visual aesthetic of the facade, and whether a certified system is required. There are numerous cladding options available on the market, and here at Render Supply Co, we stock many of the lightweight options suitable for finishing with render/texture and other specialty coatings. Some common options for cladding include:
EPS and XPS Foam Cladding
EPS Foam Cladding is one of the most effective options for exterior wall cladding because it is a multi-purpose material, cost-effective, easy to handle and install, and can be easily cut to size. EPS stands for expanded polystyerene, and is valued for its insulating properties. Many (but not all) EPS foam cladding systems are certified so you can be confident you are using a quality approved building material. Always refer to your building plans to check if you require a certified system. EPS foam cladding can resist extreme weather but it is important to note that it does not withstand UV light, so an appropriate external coating must be applied to ensure its resistance to the elements. It can however withstand mould and rain, and is also recyclable.
XPS Foam Cladding, short for extruded polystyrene, is lightweight foam board with excellent insulating properties that can be used in a wide range of building and construction applications. It has low thermal conductivity (high R-value) and is manufactured from fire retardant raw material. Compared with EPS foam, XPS foam has greater compressive strength and water resistance due to its high-density cell structure, hence is suitable for use in moist and wet environments.
AAC Cladding
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) cladding is a durable lightweight cladding option which offers excellent thermal properties as well as fire, mould and termite resistance. AAC panels are manufactured to meet specific quality standards and building codes, and the production process is more environmentally friendly than the manufacturing of concrete or bricks. They are a great alternative to brick cladding and, like EPS foam cladding, can be finished with render/texture or other speciality coatings. Find out more about AAC cladding on our blog post here.
Bricks
Bricks are an extremely common cladding option with high thermal efficiency, and readily accessible for building projects. Bricks can be used for interior or exterior walls and have versatility in colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. Moreover, they are fire-resistant, soundproof and sustainable, and can be left exposed or finished with render/texture products or other speciality coatings.
Timber and Plywood Cladding
Timber and plywood cladding can offer a natural beauty to your facade. The major benefits of using timber as a wall cladding material are that it is durable, renewable and recyclable. Plywood cladding is not as heavy as solid hardwood timbers and is durable, robust and budget friendly. The downside to timber cladding is that maintenance may be regularly required to protect your cladding against the elements, including to clean and recoat, restain or refresh any colour applied.
Aluminium Cladding
Aluminium is a versatile, lightweight, corrosion-resistant and low-maintenance cladding. For these reasons, it is popular among homeowners. It also offers safety against fire, and is a sustainable construction material that can be fully recycled. Its sleek and uniform appearance is a popular choice for many home designs, both new and old, and can be coated in a wide variety of colours to suit any palette.
As you can see, there a many cladding options to choose from for your project. In fact, many homeowners these days choose to use not only one, but several cladding options for their homes, such as EPS foam or AAC panels coated with render/texture, alongside brick or timber cladding.
What cladding you select will depend on a range of factors, including the needs of your home in relation to the environment, the overall design of your home, eco-friendliness, your budget, personal tastes and vision for your home.
If you feeling stuck about which cladding to choose, or wish to know more about EPS foam or AAC cladding, get in touch with us at Render Supply Co and we will be glad to help you out!
