In construction, cladding is the layering of materials over one another to provide a layer or a “skin” of sorts. It may be used to hold insulation between a concrete foundation and the more fragile material on the outside of a building. Cladding can be made from materials such as vinyl, brick, and various metals.
Additionally, composite cladding can be made from materials like wood, wheat fibers, or a mix of concrete and other materials. Cladding is typically used to protect against the elements and can also be used for noise control. The material cladding is made of can greatly affect its vulnerability to outside forces.
Advantages
Arguably the biggest advantage of composite timber cladding is that it allows owners have the look of real wood without all the maintenance and risk normally involved. It’s frequently used in both commercial and residential buildings because of its visual appeal. It’s also made largely from recycled materials, making it an environmentally sound option. While real wood needs to be treated, composite timber is largely plastic and requires no such upkeep.
For residential and commercial buildings alike, builders can enjoy the easy and fast installation of composite panels, as well as take advantage of rapid repairs if they’re ever necessary. For homeowners, composite timber is a great option for additions such as building a deck. In addition to the added functionality, this can also significantly increase home value, so it’s a relatively safe investment even for those who are unsure if they’ll be staying in the property long term. Composite cladding is also resistant to mold growth and rot, which can be a problem for real wood products faced with the outside elements.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of composite cladding are basically the same as the disadvantages of using composite materials in general. They can’t really be trusted for any high load-bearing or structural support, although this isn’t much of an issue with cladding specifically. Some composite materials can be easily damaged or can fade quickly, and the only solution would be to replace the affected material.
The real disadvantage to composite timber is that it’s still a relatively new building material, and because of this, it’s hard to say exactly how well it holds up. It is sensitive to temperature, and it expands and contracts at different rates than natural wood or other building materials. This, combined with the fact that it’s a softer material than most, can certainly cause it to wear faster. There is also the fact that many people believe composite wood doesn’t look as good up close as the real thing. Lastly, a potential disadvantage to composite material is that it’s typically more expensive than real wood. If your project is on a budget, composite timber may not be a realistic option.
Installation
Obviously, a professional service will be able to install composite timber or any other cladding materials, but there are also plenty of options for doing it yourself. This may be particularly useful if you have extra material left over after a project and decide to use the remainder to add new siding to your building. Just be aware that doing so can often void the warranty for the material, so be sure to double check.
In general, you’ll want to allow for at least 5 percent wasted material when planning such a project. Luckily, there are some free calculator options available online to help determine exactly how much material you need. Other recommended materials include waterproof membrane for the exterior wall, clip fasteners for an appealing finish without screws, and a circular saw guided by a straight board to give the cladding crisper edges.
