Siding materials protect and finish the exterior walls of a home. Builders use framing, moisture barriers, and insulation to support cladding materials like overlay siding, masonry, stucco, and cladding panels. The choice of siding materials impacts design, energy efficiency, and sound control.
Siding materials are a type of building product used to finish and protect the exterior walls of a home. Exterior siding, also known as siding, can be used to give a home the look you want while keeping water, wind, and other elements out. A homeowner’s choice of siding materials can have a large impact on the design of the structure and can also influence factors ranging from energy efficiency to sound control.
Before cladding materials can be installed on a structure, builders must first create adequate framing to support these materials. Typically, contractors use wood or metal beams and studs to frame the home, then bolt siding directly to these framing members. Others may build the basic shell of the house out of concrete, masonry, or other products rather than traditional framing materials. Moisture barriers, plywood sheathing, and insulation can be added between the structure and cladding materials to add strength and improve energy efficiency.
Overlay siding is one of the most common siding materials used in residential structures. This type of siding consists of thin horizontal strips or vinyl, wood, or composite products arranged in overlapping rows. Some manufacturers also produce fiber cement siding or metals such as aluminum and copper. Specialty cladding products are also available in vertical strips or panels to create a variety of different designs.
Masonry offers another type of cladding system that is versatile and durable. Most modern adobe homes consist of standard wood, metal, or block structures with a brick siding installed along the exterior surface. This same design technique can be used with stone or other masonry products, which are attached to the house using mortar or metal brick bonds.
Some exterior siding materials are simply applied directly to the exterior surfaces of the home. One example is stucco, which can be used to create a highly textured, weather resistant finish. Commercial builders rely on a more advanced form of grouting, known as insulated exterior finishing systems, or EIFS. This type of cladding is especially beneficial in areas prone to frequent hurricanes or other severe storms.
Due to the relatively large size of most commercial structures, builders often use siding panels rather than masonry or siding. The panels allow the builder to cover the structure more quickly and give it a less-trafficked appearance, with fewer joints for water or air to pass through. Cladding panels can be made from concrete, steel, or other forms of metal depending on the application.
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