Exterior cladding possesses numerous benefits. Adding wall cladding to your home’s exterior can radically change the appearance for years to come with relatively little maintenance. Cladding can also protect your home from the harsh outside elements and provide additional insulation.
However, the efficiency of the cladding will depend on the exact material you choose. The type of cladding material will also affect things like maintenance, cost, and durability. Here are four cladding options ranked from worst to best to help you choose the right option for your building project.
1. Wood Cladding
Wood cladding is a relatively common option and does have several benefits. Wood cladding comes from a renewable resource. Furthermore, you can and should choose wood cladding from sustainably managed forests. Options of wood cladding include cedar, redwood, pine, or other types of wood. Shiplap, tongue, and groove, or board and batten cladding are also stylish options. Wood cladding provides a natural rustic appearance which makes it a great option for modern farmhouse or country-styled homes.
However, wood cladding has many downsides that need to be considered. One of the problems with wood is that it can easily rot and warp over time. These are maintenance items you’ll need to constantly monitor. Another issue with wood cladding is that it can attract insects like termites, which could lead to serious structural damage.
Wood cladding is also an option that requires the most maintenance. Wood needs to be painted regularly, and, if you want to deter pests such as termites, you’ll have to treat the wood with varnish. These products contain dangerous chemicals that may release harmful volatile organic compounds or VOCs into your home and the outdoor air, which is another drawback few people consider. Think twice if you wanted a natural look as many options will allow you to replicate the beauty of wood, minus the drawbacks.
2. Brick and Mortar Cladding
Brick and mortar cladding are quite common and have several benefits. Brick and mortar cladding is sourced principally from natural materials like clay, although some companies make the bricks from fly ash, a by-product of coal power plants, which should be avoided.
Brick cladding doesn’t require painting and can last for decades. The thermal mass of the bricks can capture heat in passive solar homes. The gap between the brick cladding and the wall sheathing can provide an additional layer of insulation.
The downside to brick and mortar cladding is the amount of energy required to make the bricks. This is also reflected in the relatively high cost of bricks. Brick and mortar are only affordable in comparison to stone cladding.
3. Vinyl Cladding
Vinyl cladding is made from polyvinyl chloride or PVC. PVC is popular for being affordable, and recyclable. Producing new PVC cladding consumes half as much energy as brick production, and PVC cladding can be made to resemble wood grain and is available in a variety of colors. PVC is durable and low maintenance which explains why roughly a quarter of all homes have PVC cladding.
One of the many downsides of PVC cladding is that you have to pay extra to have insulated vinyl cladding. Furthermore, PVC is highly toxic. Producing PVC doesn’t just consume oil and other hydrocarbons, but manufacturing it exposes workers and our environment to carcinogenic compounds called dioxins. These chemicals are released into the air if the PVC catches fire, making this an extremely hazardous material for people and the planet.
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4. Composite Wall Cladding
Composite wall cladding has the aesthetic appearance of wood cladding but with superior performance. Composite wall cladding resists rot, insects, and harsh weather elements. Composite cladding is generally made from wood fibers derived from sawdust, scrap wood, and recycled polyethylene, so it is eco-friendly. Furthermore, the binders used to make it are typically low in VOCs. Composite cladding can be installed over existing materials such as brick, concrete, or wood.
Also, composite cladding doesn’t expand or contract, so it won’t crack or warp the way wood cladding does. Composite cladding gets bonus points for being fire-resistant as well. Composite cladding is a great choice whether you’re building a deck, a sunroom, or an entirely new structure.
Composite cladding requires relatively little maintenance, needing to be pressured washed every 12 to 36 months and repainted about every 10 to 12 years. The only downside is that composite cladding hasn’t been around as long as wood and PVC cladding, so look for a warranty when purchasing. However, companies like Ecoscape Cladding offer a variety of long-lasting products including ethically sourced cladding made from recycled high-density polyethylene and reclaimed wood. Roughly 95 percent of the material in their composite cladding is ethically sourced, making them an ideal resource.
Cladding forms a visible, protective outer layer of a home. This makes it important when choosing a cladding material that looks beautiful when installed and will continue to age well throughout the years.
I like that you mentioned how cladding could protect your home from the harsh outside elements and provide additional insulation. I think the exterior of our house needs to be revamped since it looks worn out already. Cladding the house sounds like a nice idea, so we should probably get some supplies for it.
This ranking of exterior cladding materials offers a great perspective on both aesthetics and functionality, which is so important for homeowners making long-term decisions. I particularly liked how you emphasized factors like durability, insulation, and ease of maintenance. I was wondering, though, how sustainable each of these materials is in terms of environmental impact? Are there any cladding options that might be better for eco-conscious projects, especially for homeowners in regions with extreme weather conditions? I’d love to hear your thoughts!