What Is Wall Cladding & 11 Types Of Wall Cladding Materials

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Wall Cladding

Wall cladding is the process of covering a building’s exterior or interior walls with materials to improve their appearance, durability, and insulation.

This process involves attaching materials such as wood, metal, stone, brick, or composite panels to the wall’s surface.

Wall cladding not only provides aesthetic appeal but also protects the building’s structure from external elements like rain, wind, and sunlight.

In addition, wall cladding can also increase energy efficiency by providing additional insulation, helping to regulate temperature and reduce heating and cooling costs.

With the increasing popularity of green building techniques, wall cladding has become an important aspect of sustainable building design.

Today, there are numerous wall cladding options available, each with its own unique set of benefits, making it easier for builders and architects to choose the right solution for their specific project needs.

And of course, you can affordably transform your home with the options discussed below.

First, let us know a bit about wall cladding types.

What Is Wall Cladding?

Wall cladding is a great way to protect the home’s exterior walls from weather adverse effects as well as other types of irritants that may create a negative effect on the building.

Cladding can be done by providing an extra layer to the walls of any material. It can be a great option for our interior walls.

Wall cladding is a method of fitting one material over another material that will create an extra protective and attractive layer over the walls.

Cladding is almost exclusively used to protect the exterior walls from adverse effects of weather elements such as sun, wind, snow, and heavy rain.

It gives a nice appearance and also provides thermal insulation.

Factors to be Considered for Wall Cladding

I. Interior Wall Cladding

The cladding should have a proper finish.
It should be moisture-resistant.
It should be resistant to stains and hide as much as possible
It should be easily washable.

II. Exterior Wall Cladding

Renders protection to the walls against weather conditions.
It should be aesthetically appealing.
It helps in the thermal insulation of the house.
It also cuts off the sound and helps in making the building soundproof.
It should be able to resist fire for a longer period.
Let’s have a look at the types of cladding you can have for your home and their characteristics.

Types of Wall Cladding

Following are the various types of cladding,

Stone Cladding
Vinyl Cladding
Brick Cladding
Fibre Cement Cladding
Wooden Cladding
Aluminum Cladding
Steel Cladding
Glass Cladding

1. Stone Cladding

It includes a layer of stones like granite, sandstone, and slate, thus giving a natural look. It gives an ancient feel.

It is a great option for your living room, indoor gardens, or bathroom walls.

You get a lot of variety as it comes in a number of colors and textures.
It is lightweight and durable too.
It does not absorb much water, therefore it is a great option for bathroom walls and indoor gardens.
Its natural appearance stands out amidst the other walls. So, it is a great option for the walls of the living room.
Stains are easily hidden away in the wall as it is of dark color.

2. Vinyl Cladding

It includes cladding of polyvinyl chloride – PVC.
If you want to make your exterior walls aesthetically appealing, then you can go for this.
Its quality is a little bit lower than wood, but so is its cost.
It can easily withstand harsh climatic conditions. Galvanization can be done to make it resistant to weather.
It is not costly, so it can be considered if you are looking for something under the budget.
It is a versatile material- it offers various choices in terms of color, texture, and design from which you can mix and match and get your perfect unique look.
It comes with its own locking system by fixing nails on the walls.
As some space is left between the walls and the vinyl cladding, it serves an insulation purpose too.
No tension of warping or bending as in the case of wooden cladding.
It does not require much maintenance. Just take a damp cloth dipped in soap water and you are good to go. Costly cleaning agents are not required.

3. Brick Cladding

Brick cladding gives a decorative finish if it is done systematically.
Its installation is difficult and expensive too for bricks of a particular finish to be worked out and adjusted on the wall.
It is available in different colors, textures, and finishes. Even sizes can be varied too.
It is easily washable.
Bricks have high fire resistance, so brick cladding is also resistant to fire.
It works as an insulating layer and protects from extreme heat and cold.

4. Fibre Cement Cladding

It gives a beautiful finish though it is a low-cost option.

Its durability is high as it is resistant to bacteria and rotting.
It does not shrink, warp, or crack in harsh climatic conditions after installation.
It is weather-proof and provides fire resistance too.
Maintenance is almost negligible.
Its installation is quite easy too. It can be just fitted into an aluminum frame.

5. Wooden Cladding

It can give a nice 3- dimensional finish as sheets of solid wood are installed. The wood of cedar and redwood trees is used for this purpose.
It is a high-rated cladding option after stone. It is much stronger than vinyl and aluminum cladding.
However, its installation and maintenance are quite expensive. Care should be exercised otherwise rotting and warping take place.
The surface is coated with a pigment or stain to make it weatherproof. Painting the surface also suffices the need.
Its beauty is eye-catching as it stands out from the rest. It gives a natural look and is quite durable too if maintained properly.
The versatility of the wood paneling is the highest. Any length required as per the condition can be achieved by just trimming the wood. Different patterns in wood are available and you can select any color for the paint.
It is environment-friendly material as it is obtained from nature.
Its thermal insulation capacity is far better than that of steel and concrete. Thus, it can help in energy conservation.

6. Aluminum Cladding

It is available in different sizes, shapes, and finishes.
It is a good option for basement or storage walls. It can be even applied to the walls of large commercial buildings after treatment.
It is a low-weight material, and therefore its installation is easy too.
It does not require much maintenance either.
It is a flexible option and can be easily bent into any shape, thus even an arch can be formed with the help of aluminum cladding.
It can be recycled and reused. Thus, it is eco-friendly too.

7. Steel Cladding

It comes under the option of metal cladding.
10% chromium is added to steel to obtain corrosion resistance as steel is a highly corrosive material.
As the chromium is exposed to the atmosphere, it reacts with oxygen present in the atmosphere and forms oxides of chromium that form a passive layer over the surface and further corrosion is inhibited.
Thus, it becomes weatherproof too.
Its moisture absorption capacity is less, thus preventing dampness in the house.
Insect attack is not a concern for steel cladding.
It does not require heavy maintenance.
However, dents are easily formed on this cladding.
Additionally, it makes a loud noise when rainwater falls on its surface.

8. Glass Cladding

It gives a nice glossy finish to the walls- be it the exterior walls or interior walls.
The panels of the glass should be installed carefully with precise calculations so that perfect fitting can be achieved.
The reflective properties of glass really make the walls of your home stand out.
The glass panels are fitted into a lightweight aluminum frame.
Glass is weatherproof, it easily resists heat, wind, and rain.
It is also resistant to abrasion and wears.
It transmits up to 80% of the light, which makes it aesthetically appealing.
It provides flexibility in usage as it can be molded into different shapes.
It does not have corrosive properties like metal cladding.
It requires very low maintenance.
However, glare is one of the major issues while using glass cladding. A lot of glare is produced because of glass cladding.
It can even create a greenhouse effect as it reflects the light and does not allow it to escape.
Transparency caused because of glass can put security at risk.
Sudden pressures can easily break the glass.
And if you are living in an earthquake-prone zone, then you should avoid going for glass cladding. Earthquake-resistant glass is highly expensive.

Wall Cladding Types

Sr. No.	Type of Cladding	Characteristics
1	Stone cladding	Lightweight Durable Low moisture absorption Conceals stain
2	Vinyl cladding	Budget-friendly Versatile in design, texture Thermal insulation Low maintenance
3	Brick cladding	Versatile in color, texture, finish Thermal insulation Fire resistance Easy washing
4	Fibre cement cladding	Budget-friendly Highly durable No maintenance Easy installation
5	Wooden cladding	Decorative finish Environment-friendly Thermal insulation Versatile in length, design, texture
6	Aluminum cladding	Low-weight Less maintenance Eco-friendly – easy to recycle Arch can be formed easily
7	Steel cladding	Weather-proof Less maintenance Low moisture & absorption Prevents dampness
8	Glass cladding	Weather-proof Resistance to abrasion and wear Low maintenance Resistant to corrosion

Conclusion

In conclusion, wall cladding is a crucial aspect of building design that provides numerous benefits for both the building’s appearance and functionality.

By covering exterior and interior walls with durable and attractive materials, wall cladding can enhance a building’s appearance, protect it from the elements, and improve energy efficiency.

The wide range of wall cladding options available, including wood, metal, stone, brick, and composite panels, makes it easier for builders and architects to find the right solution for their specific project needs.

As more emphasis is placed on sustainable building practices, wall cladding will continue to play an important role in the design of modern buildings.

FAQs:

What is wall cladding?

Wall cladding refers to the process of covering the exterior or interior walls of a building with a protective or decorative material.

What are the benefits of wall cladding?

Wall cladding offers various benefits, including enhanced insulation, improved weather resistance, protection against moisture and UV rays, increased durability, and aesthetic appeal.