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Cladding panels protect buildings from external elements and provide an aesthetic finish. They can be made of various materials, attached to the building framework, and installed with fasteners or adhesive. Insulation and resistance to moisture, fire, wind, and pests are important factors to consider when choosing cladding panels.
In construction, cladding panels form part of the skin, or envelope, of a building or house. They serve both a functional and an aesthetic purpose by protecting the building from the external elements while also providing the desired finish to the structure. The cladding panels are fully supported by the building framework and play no structural role.
These panels can be made of fiber cement, metal or thermoplastic materials. Some manufacturers also make cladding panels from thin sheets of stone or concrete veneer. Each of these materials offers a completely different look to suit a variety of architectural design styles. Some feature a smooth finish, while others can be patterned or embossed to resemble siding, stone or brick. Others can be curved or shaped to give texture to walls and create a unique finish to the building.
Typically, installers attach the cladding panels to the wood or metal framing elements that make up the exterior walls of the building. When the panels are too small to span from stud to stud, they may be supported by a layer of plywood siding attached to the building framing. Cladding panels can also be constructed with stiffeners or reinforced edges for added support.
Depending on the type of panel, they can be installed using nails or screws. Many include pre-drilled holes that indicate where to place the fasteners. Others feature a snap-in installation or some other integral system that eliminates the need for visible fasteners. Very lightweight siding panels can be installed using thin-wall mortar or some form of strong adhesive. This type of installation is most common in residential applications.
By nature, most wallboards offer minimal insulation. Installers often add a layer of insulation between the frame and the panels to improve thermal resistance and reduce noise within the building. Some specially designed cladding panels may also include a layer of built-in foam insulation to ensure an airtight wall.
When choosing cladding panels, building owners must consider a variety of factors to ensure a successful installation. Panels should be designed to keep moisture out of the building. While overlapping panels can help keep water out, caulk and other sealants can also be used to improve water resistance. The panels should also be able to resist the spread of fire as well as wind and pest damage. If long-term durability is a concern, choose thicker metal panels or panels made from composite materials to avoid dents from daily activities.
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