Choosing the right external wall cladding is a big decision in terms of the appearance and practicality of the house. In addition to determining how a house looks like, cladding also shields the house from harsh conditions such as weather, UV rays and water. When it comes to having variable climatic conditions as is the case with Australia, it does make the type of cladding material to be used a critical determinable factor. The following sections will guide you on the most important considerations to make while choosing the right cladding for your house.
Consider the Climate
The first parameter that should be taken into consideration when deciding on cladding, is the climate in the given territory. Weather in Australia varies from hot to cold or even wet depending on the area the person is in. In coastal area structures, such as houses, products that are not affected by moisture, salt, or wind are necessary. Such conditions are more tolerable to cladding like the fibre cement, metal, or even the treated timber than other categories.
In warmer climates, you’ll need a cladding that ‘sheds’ heat and has low thermal conductivity; insulated metal or lightweight such as vinyl. Those living in a colder area should choose exterior cladding that provides insulation, brick or foam-backed materials.
Assess Durability & Maintenance
Resistance is an important feature of any external wall cladding. Alternatively, you need a material that will be strong enough to withstand the tough conditions of the environment besides having a long durability period. These various materials include bricks and stones which are known to be durable in use but are very expensive to install. On the other hand, vinyl and fibre cement are cheaper, but durable and provide good features that are appropriate for cladding in Melbourne homes.
Another factor is maintenance which is usually done frequently in order to ensure that the building occupies the least amount of space on the outer zones of the city. Although timber can create the desired looks, it is a material that needs to be protected from rot and insects, so it has to be sealed or stained constantly. On the other hand, Vinyl and fibre cement generally are easy to maintain and may only need washing once in a while.
Aesthetic Appeal
This means that it is very important that the cladding that you choose for your home has to be compatible with the specific features of the architecture of your house. What this suggests is that timber cladding will provide a more organic appeal to the interior or exterior of a building, bricks or stone, on the other hand, will provide more of a traditional mass appeal. The choice of panels can depend on the preferred style; while metal or fibre cement panels look contemporary.
Also, the choice matters concerning how this type of external wall cladding is right for the home, including roofing, windows, doors, and more. Proper styling can go a long way to boosting the exterior aesthetics of your home and possibly boost the value of your property too.
Energy Efficiency
Another aspect that is getting added focus these days is the aspect of energy efficiency of homes. There are types of cladding materials that can enhance the insulation of your house which can increase the usage of less energy and hence minimize the use of energy bills. Foam-backed vinyl, precast fibre cement, and other similar claddings work as insulation in preventing indoor temperatures from rising during summer and lowering them during winter.
If the issue of energy conservation is important then try to select the cladding materials with optimal thermal conductivity. Besides, it will add to the comfort of the home and make a contribution to environmental protection since artificial heating and cooling will not be needed as before.
Cost and Budget
Funding is always one of the factors that are considered critically when planning for home remodelling projects. Brick and stone cladding are relatively expensive while the vinyl, metal, and fibre cement cladding is cheaper. Here one must remember that the cost of installation will be higher in case of demanding materials. For example, while using stone and brickwork it is usually expensive because they have to be shaped and arranged by highly qualified labour.
In this case, the lowest cost might be considered however choosing the best quality cladding could become economically beneficial in the future due to reduced maintenance and improved durability. Costs that involve high expenses at the beginning should be matched with more significant benefits in future to make the investment worth it.
Final Thoughts
If you are confused about which of the cladding materials is most appropriate for your home, you can reach out to a local cladding Melbourne specialist for a consultation. This will help you make a probable decision based on style, functionality and price of cladding.