Cladding refers to insulation material installed to the exterior walls of a home. Examples of cladding materials include timber, metal, tile, stone and fibre cement boards, among others. House cladding plays different roles, including protecting the structural integrity of walls from the elements such as wind, temperature fluctuations and moisture. Furthermore, most external cladding improves the look of a home besides enhancing insulation capability. The cost of cladding should incorporate the materials, fixtures and labour. Read on to find out all about external cladding. This information is useful to homeowners who want to install external cladding for the first time on their homes.

Fire Safety

Some cladding materials are known to ignite or accelerate fires, whereas others have low combustibility ratings. Ensure that the cladding material you buy is tested and meets industry standards, particularly with regards to fire safety. A good cladding system should resist the spread of fire on external walls. Apart from resisting the spread of fire, a good cladding system should also withstand fire. Such materials can reduce the likelihood of loss of property and lives in case of a fire incident.

Weatherproof

One major reason why homeowners install cladding is to protect their homes from the effects of weather elements like rain, sun (ultraviolet rays) and harsh winds, among others. Over time, these conditions can start to deteriorate a home from the outside, working their way in. The sealed joints between cladding panels stop moisture from penetrating walls and damaging your home. Furthermore, some cladding material such as fibre cement can tolerate a range of temperature changes of -50 °C to +80 °C, which implies that your external walls will be protected no matter what the change in temperature is.

Approvals

When you want to install external cladding, you should always check with your local council to find out if you require permits or authorisations before commencing the project. In most jurisdictions, planning permission is required for installing external cladding. Furthermore, you might want your project inspected by relevant agencies to meet laws and regulations, specifically for safety. Note that the type of cladding you buy might be determined by the local planning guidelines that ensure compliance. In this sense, you might be limited by the type of material you want to use on your exterior walls. Therefore, it is wise to consult building experts or cladding installers in your locality before investing in cladding material.