19 Top Types of Exterior Wall Cladding Materials | Pros and Cons of Exterior Wall Cladding
Types of Exterior Wall Cladding Materials | Why Should You Use Wall Cladding? | Advantages of using Cladding Systems
Exterior Wall Cladding
Exterior wall cladding is a type of exterior wall that is installed on the exterior of a building to provide a desired look or provide protection for the building’s exterior.
Exterior wall cladding is designed to protect the exterior walls of a building. It is often used as a cover for any cracks in the wall or to cover up fact that the surface is brick or cinder block.
One of the most common types of exterior wall cladding is vinyl. Vinyl is often used on new home construction projects.
Why Should You Use Wall Cladding?
Exterior wall cladding is a type of building surface that is applied to the outside of a house. It is usually designed to protect the structure from the elements and to improve the insulation of the home.
There are many different options for cladding including vinyl siding, aluminum, cedar shake, and brick
There are many benefits to using wall cladding in your exterior home design. One of the main reasons you might choose exterior wall cladding is it provides protection from the elements.
Weather-resistant cladding can help protect your building from things like rain and snow.
This will help you to avoid costly repair and replacement costs. Another benefit to exterior wall cladding is it
Exterior wall cladding also make it a more aesthetically pleasing and valuable property.
Advantages of using Cladding Systems
There are many advantages of using cladding systems and designers need to understand them correctly, to ensure that they make the right decision at the start of any project.
- Wall cladding is a great way to add value
Wall cladding is a great way to add value to your home’s appearance. It helps you put a unique touch or style to all your walls and really accentuate your home’s design.
- Wall cladding is an easy way to change the look of your home
If you want to change the look of your home, wall cladding is an easy way to do it. You can make changes that will completely transform your home simply by changing the color and other aspects of your exterior wall cladding.
- Wall cladding helps add protection to your home
Exterior wall cladding is a great way to add insulation into your home. It helps protect your walls from the harsh weather and temperature changes and elements such as wind, water, snow and ice, especially in coastal regions.
- Wall cladding is an easy way to build an attractive home
If you are looking for an easy way to add style and value to all of your walls, you should consider exterior wall cladding.
It is a great way to create a stunning exterior that will help give your home the look you have always wanted.
Types of Exterior Wall Cladding Materials
There are many types of exterior wall cladding, depending on the type of material that is used to help the home.
The most common types of exterior wall cladding are;
1. Stone Exterior Cladding
Stone cladding is an excellent option for people who live in regions that are prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
Stone cladding gives a more natural look and adds a tinge of elegance to the walls. Stones are quarried and slashed into minute pieces to reduce the weight.
These are then applied to the structures giving it an earthy and rustic look.
Advantages of Stone Exterior cladding include;
-Durability: Stone is the hardiest of all the materials used for cladding. It is very durable and can withstand extreme temperatures.
-Eco-friendly: Stone is a naturally occurring substance that does not contain any harmful chemicals. It is a very eco-friendly material and will not pollute the environment.
-Symmetry: You can get an even surface finish on stone cladding. There are no voids or patterns to break up the overall look of your home’s exterior walls.
-Natural beauty: Stone has an organic appeal that makes it a natural choice for anyone who wants to help improve the look of their property.
2. Brick Exterior Cladding
Brick is arguably the most popular exterior cladding material. It provides a warm, natural look to your home’s exterior and helps give the structure a more timeless feel.
Brick was initially developed with reduced labor and time, making it very easy for many people to apply it on their homes.
This kind of cladding has been popular for many years in regions that experience natural disasters and climates that are very cold.
Brick is a very durable building material that is composed of clay, sand, lime and water. These are baked for several days before a layer of mud is applied to create the bricks.
Advantages of brick cladding include;
-Scale: Brick provides a look that is more celestial than other cladding materials. It is consistent and fits in with the overall architecture of your home very well.
-Strength: Brick is made using durable material and can withstand the elements.
3. Wood & Timber Exterior Cladding
Wooden material can be used in many different ways when it comes to exterior wall cladding, depending on the type of plan that you have for your home’s design.
This kind of cladding not only shields the structure but is also highly energy efficient due to its insulation properties.
The exquisite effect of real wood can blend with any kind of interior or exterior, thereby enhancing the appearance of the building.
Advantages of wood cladding include;
-Beautiful and natural appearance: Wood exterior cladding provides a look that is completely natural and beautiful.
-Affordable
-Easy to install
4. Metal Exterior Cladding
Metal is actually a composite material that is made from steel, iron or aluminum alloys.
It can be directly applied to the surface of your home and can also be used as decorative panels on the inside of your home. It provides a unique look and sturdy protection for your home’s walls.
Advantages of metal exterior cladding include;
-Durability: Metal is very strong and helps make your home more durable.
-Beauty: Metal has a sleek and modern appeal that can be used on the outside or inside of your home.
5. Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most popular types of exterior wall cladding available in the market today. It is easy to apply and very durable.
By choosing this type of exterior cladding, you can help reduce the maintenance costs and energy consumption that goes into maintaining your home’s exterior.
Vinyl siding is made using vinyl chloride and wood or fiber board backing. These two materials are combined together with a plasticizer to create a strong yet flexible material that can be applied to the sides of your home.
Vinyl siding helps control the temperature inside your home and helps reduce the amount of energy that you spend cooling and heating your home.
It is easy to install, making it a viable option for anyone who wants to save time and money while improving the look of their home.
6. Foam Cladding
Foam cladding is another very popular exterior cladding option, especially in colder climates. It is a great insulation material and provides an extra layer of protection for your walls from the harsh weather conditions.
Foam has a lot of advantages as a form of exterior cladding. One of the most obvious is that it looks very attractive.
It also helps reduce the amount of heat that is lost by bending and twisting the foam. It can withstand forces up to 35 pounds per square inch and it is fire, water and insect resistant.
Advantages of foam cladding include;
-Waterproof: Foam is virtually rainproof, making it an ideal material for any region that experiences rain and humidity regularly.
-Lightweight: Foam is very lightweight, making it an ideal material for installing exterior walls in regions that experience extreme temperatures.
7. Wood and Plastic Composite Cladding
These materials are made using plastic sheets that are laminated on to wood boards at the site of installation. This provides a very durable and beautiful exterior wall cladding option.
It has been used to protect homes from the harsh weather conditions in many parts of the world, for example, Australia, Japan and Canada.
The beauty and durability of these materials make them ideal for regions that experience heavy rain or a lot of moisture. Its insulating properties also help keep the temperature inside your home regulated.
Advantages of wood and plastic composite cladding include;
-Durability: Wood and plastic composite cladding is very durable and helps extend the life of your home’s exterior walls.
-Economical: The fact that this kind of material is inexpensive makes it a very cost effective option when it comes to home improvements.
8. Stone and Aluminum Composite Cladding
Stone is layered with aluminum to create a strong yet beautiful alternative for exterior wall cladding. It can be easily applied to the interior or exterior of your home.
It is durable and is made from natural minerals, making it a very attractive option to homeowners who are looking for a more elegant look.
It has been used on many historic buildings all over the world to give them an age-old appearance despite being new.
Stone and aluminum composite cladding is one of the few options that have a superior thermal resistance and can help your home retain energy.
It is also very affordable and can be found in a variety of textures and colors.
9. Precast Concrete Cladding
This exterior cladding is very durable and has a layer of insulation which helps keep the temperature inside your home regulated.
It comprises a concrete core that can be exposed or covered with an easy to install plastic membrane, wood panel or thin brick.
It is very long lasting and the concrete aspect of it helps to provide strength and structural integrity to your home’s exterior walls.
Advantages of precast concrete cladding include;
- a) Sustainability: Concrete is made from natural materials and is very eco-friendly.
- b) Thermal insulation: Concrete has excellent thermal insulating properties which keeps the temperature inside your home regulated.
- c) Fire resistance: Concrete is fire resistant, preventing it from catching fire in the event of an accident or fire.
10. Ceramic Tile Cladding
Ceramic tile is one of the most popular types of exterior cladding. It has a natural appearance and can be incorporated into the interior or exterior of your home.
Ceramic tiles are available in many diverse styles, colors and textures. They can easily be installed by anyone with some basic construction skills without needing to call in professional builders.
Advantages of ceramic tile cladding include;
– Natural look: Ceramic tiles have a natural appearance that appeals to homeowners who want their home to blend in seamlessly with nature.
– Affordable: Ceramic tiles are a very cost-effective option.
– Maintenance free: Ceramic tiles do not require any special maintenance and can last for a lifetime on your home’s exterior walls.
11. Curtain Wall Cladding
Curtain wall cladding is made from pre-cast concrete and fiber glass. It has unique properties that make it a suitable exterior cladding material.
It is designed to look like stone, wood, stucco or brick without any of the disadvantages.
It is very low maintenance and requires little to no painting. Curtain wall cladding helps in reducing heat loss by bending in the breeze and twisting slightly to provide a seal against cold weather conditions.
The thermal resistance of curtain wall cladding helps keep your home warm in winter and prevents it from becoming too hot in summer.
Advantages of curtain wall cladding include;
-Durability: Curtain wall cladding lasts a lifetime because it provides the same protective features as traditional materials such as brick and stucco.
-Thermal insulation: Curtain wall cladding helps keep the temperature inside your home regulated by providing an excellent insulating barrier between your home’s exterior walls and the outside environment.
12. Fibre Cement Cladding
This outdoor cladding is designed to mimic the look of stone masonry and has an appearance that is similar to wood.
It is made from a combination of synthetic fibers and cement that gives it a natural look. Fiber cement cladding does not need painting or staining and enables you to revitalize your home with little maintenance.
Composite exterior wall cladding provides excellent thermal insulation properties which help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. This type of exterior wall cladding requires little maintenance.
This outdoor cladding material is used on exterior walls in Japan, China and many other countries. It has a look that is similar to brick but is much more affordable.
It is made from a type of fiber cement resin that has been mixed with local sand and water to form an extremely strong and durable construction that provides excellent insulation properties.
It provides excellent thermal resistance and prevents heat loss by bending in the wind or by twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls. It also helps minimize heat gain in the summer.
Advantages of fibre cement cladding include;
-Low maintenance: Fiber cement requires very little maintenance and does not discolor over a long period of time.
-Thermal insulation: Fibre cement has excellent thermal insulation properties which help keep your home regulated at all times.
-Durability: Fibre cement is extremely durable. It lasts for a lifetime on your home’s exterior walls and can be easily repaired or updated when necessary.
-Energy efficiency: Fibre cement has excellent thermal properties that help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
13. Stucco Cladding
Stucco cladding is made from cement and sand and is a great choice for anyone who wants to give their home a traditional look.
It provides excellent thermal insulation and helps prevent heat loss by bending in the wind or by twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls.
Stucco cladding helps your home look picturesque and makes it seem that it has been there for longer than it technically has.
Advantages of stucco cladding include;
-Energy efficiency: Stucco has excellent thermal insulation properties that help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
-Thermal resistance: Stucco helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Low maintenance: Stucco requires very little maintenance and does not discolor over a long period of time.
14. Terracotta Cladding Tiles
Terracotta cladding tiles are a great exterior wall cladding choice.
They come in many different colors, sizes and shapes and are very durable. They can be used indoors or outdoors and they are very easy to install because they have no restrictions on what can be done with them.
The installation process is also very simple, as there are no rules as to the designs that you can use or what the bricks can look like.
Terracotta cladding tiles are made by mixing sand with common sawdust to produce a mixture that is used to create ceramic bricks. It’s not processed further after production, so the tiles look like real bricks.
They are an excellent choice for people who are looking for a low maintenance way of providing their home with a traditional look without having to use any other cladding materials.
They are also very durable and last for a lifetime on your home’s exterior walls.
Terracotta cladding tiles are ideal for use as a wall covering to give your home a warm, welcoming appearance.
They add value to your property and make it unique by adding character and personality. They are an excellent choice because they provide insulation properties that will help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
They also help prevent heat loss by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls.
15. Stainless Steel Cladding
Stainless steel cladding is a great exterior wall cladding material to use on your home. It is made from stainless steel, which a combination of various alloys.
This is a very important feature as stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance that helps prevent rust, which can cause unsightly stains over time on your home’s exterior walls.
It also helps prevent heat loss by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls.
Advantages of stainless-steel cladding include;
-Thermal resistance: Stainless steel helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Corrosion and rust prevention: Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and rust which can cause unsightly stains over time on your home’s exterior walls.
16. UPVC Cladding
UPVC cladding is a great exterior wall cladding choice for people who want to add contemporary style and look without having to pay a fortune.
This type of cladding is made from plastic, which is a combination of fossil-based liquid used in the production of petroleum.
This allows you to use it as an exterior building material and doesn’t require any maintenance over time.
UPVC cladding provides excellent thermal insulation properties which help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. It also helps prevent heat loss by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls.
Advantages of UPVC cladding include;
-Energy efficiency: UPVC has excellent thermal insulation properties that help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
-Thermal resistance: UPVC helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Low maintenance: UPVC requires very little maintenance and does not discolor over a long period of time.
17. Cedar Cladding
Cedar cladding is a great exterior wall cladding material to use on your home. It is made from cedar wood and comes in a natural or painted finish.
Cedar cladding provides excellent thermal insulation properties which help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
It also helps prevent heat loss by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls.
Advantages of cedar cladding include;
-Thermal resistance: Cedar helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Low maintenance
18. Aluminum Cladding
Aluminium cladding is a great choice for anyone who wants to give their home a contemporary, modern look without having to spend too much money on the project.
This type of cladding is made from a combination of aluminum and zinc alloys, which are used to create aluminum for other purposes. It is also found in things like soda cans and beverage cans.
It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, which means that you can use it to create interesting textures and paint colors on your home’s exterior walls.
Aluminium cladding provides excellent thermal insulation properties which help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
It also helps prevent heat loss by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past your home’s exterior walls.
Advantages of aluminium cladding include;
-Energy efficiency: Aluminum has excellent thermal insulation properties that help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
-Thermal resistance: Aluminum helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Low maintenance: Aluminum requires very little maintenance and does not discolor over a long period of time.
19. Metal Cladding
Metal cladding is a great exterior wall cladding material to use on your home. It comes in a variety of attractive colors and designs that provide your home with a sleek look.
The metal used to create metal cladding panels is usually aluminum or steel, which is then treated using an electro cathodic protection process to prevent corrosion and rusting.
You can choose from a wide range of metal claddings that can provide your home with the unique appearance you are trying to achieve.
Advantages of metal cladding include;
-Energy efficiency: Metal is an excellent thermal diffuser that helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Thermal resistance: Metal helps prevent heat loss from your home’s exterior walls by bending or twisting just slightly as you walk past them.
-Corrosion and rust prevention: Metal is resistant to corrosion and rust which can cause unsightly stains over time on your home’s exterior walls.