Architectural cladding protects buildings from the elements and enhances their appearance. Materials include wood, UPVC, stone, and concrete. Wood is versatile but requires maintenance, while UPVC is cheaper and more water-resistant. Stone is durable and aesthetically pleasing, while concrete is strong and can be formed into any shape.
Architectural cladding is a material applied to the exterior of a building for both protective and aesthetic purposes. Siding can be made from a wide variety of materials, including wood, stone, concrete, and synthetic materials. Regardless of the material, however, all types of cladding share a common purpose, which is to protect the building to which it is applied from the elements. One of the elements that the cladding protects against is rainwater, which can cause an incredible amount of damage to unprotected buildings. In addition to the benefits of increased elemental protection, architectural cladding can also enhance the appearance of a building to which it is applied.
One of the most basic types of architectural cladding is wood. Because wood can be trimmed and cut into almost any size and shape, wood remains one of the most versatile veneering options available. Along with this, wood siding is also aesthetically pleasing and unique, thanks to the many varieties of wood available. The two most common choices for wood siding are cedar and larch, as they don’t need pretreatment, nor do they require much maintenance. Any wood used, however, must have the cut ends sealed, as open ends allow water and moisture to seep into the wood, resulting in rot and mold.
A common alternative to wood siding is unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), usually referred to as vinyl siding. While UPVC siding can take on the appearance of wood, it is much cheaper to manufacture and install, mainly due to its synthetic composition. It is also much more water resistant than wood, as it has no grain or pores, leaving no space for water or moisture to infiltrate. It can also come in a wide variety of colors, so painting and staining is typically not necessary.
Another type of architectural cladding is stone. Stone cladding is by far one of the most resistant varieties to the elements and, in many cases, one of the most aesthetically pleasing. Just like wood, stone comes in many varieties, each of which has its own pattern and level of durability. Stone can also be applied within a building, with stones such as marble being used for bathroom walls.
The most commonly used type of architectural cladding is concrete. While concrete is not typically found in private homes, it is often used for larger buildings. Not only does concrete cladding have stone-like durability and strength, it can also be formed into nearly any shape imaginable. Precast concrete is typically used, due to its higher strength, aesthetic versatility, and low cost.
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