Why UPVC Cladding Is The Superior Choice To Protect The Home
To some, it looks strange to see the bricks of a house or office building clad with strips of wood. To others, cladding is a stylish addition that can turn a boring exterior into an interesting feature. But whichever camp an opinion may lie in, the fact is that cladding provides a practical function too, protecting the wall it covers and delaying the need to repair.
There are a variety of materials used to accomplish this and, increasingly, upvc cladding is proving to be the material of choice.
In literal terms, cladding refers to the idea of being encased or dressed in something, like a knight may be clad in armour or a businessman clad in a sharp suit. By extension, the list of materials that can be used to clad a wall or roof is almost endless, but metal, wood, vinyl or upvc, and stucco plaster, are the most popular.
While the two former categories listed are certainly natural, the synthetic latter two can offer more lasting and versatile options without losing any elegance. With upvc or even pvcu doors, they can seamlessly match any window frames or guttering in a home, or any extensions such as lean to conservatories.
Since its arrival, upvc has almost single handedly revolutionised the building industry, both in terms of technique, speed and cost. Upvc items, such as doors, windows and, of course, cladding are much more durable that their metal or timber predecessors, are lighter and easier to manage, and offer a greater range of options in terms of design, colour and sizes.
It stands to reason that plastic, or vinyl, would offer greater durability than natural materials, and in fact upvc has been known to last as long as 20 years without suffering any major effects from the elements, even discolouration from the sun. That is why a standard guarantee extends to 10 years in the building industry.
This has meant a growing trust in a form of cladding that is already known to stand the test of time. The material is weather resistant by design, drastically reducing the effect that rain and wind can have in terms of eroding the bricks of a house.
Often, the walls need to be treated to help in protecting them against the wet, for example, but the treatment, which is generally applied by brush, usually needs to be reapplied every year.
While cladding rarely, if ever, covers an entire wall of a home, it can be strategically positioned to protect the most susceptible areas while producing an attractive design feature. The most common position is the left and right wings of a house facade, below the lower half of the roof eaves.
They often complement the windows that are position below them, matching in colour and in texture. The fact that this type of cladding can be produced in shades as diverse as white, golden oak, rosewood and mahogany, and realistic woodgrain finishes, means that the tone of the windows themselves can easily be matched.
In contrast, metal and wood cladding have shorter shelf lives, with rain often causing some damage over time to both materials. Aluminium is cheap and excellent at avoiding corrosion, but cladding in that metal can look somewhat ugly and it is not favoured in obvious places.
Wood can look impressive, giving a wall considerable character, but it is more costly to erect on a wall and maintain. Stucco, meanwhile, which is a plaster covering, does provide an effective protective layer but is very expensive and requires regular maintenance.
On balance then, the upvc option is the best to choose, with the minimum of maintenance, a highly competitive price and an effectiveness that is as close to perfect as is possible. And with the panels designed to simply clip together, the process of installation could not be easier.
There may be options other that upvc cladding, but it is hard to argue against this revolutionary version working best, both as a form of protection and as an element of design.
With the growth of pvc framed buildings such as lean to conservatories, orangeries, garden rooms, the cladding can also match perfectly with the pvcu doors and windows of these extensions, ensuring an overall look that impresses.
About the Author:
Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Eurocell, a provider of UPVC windows, pvcu doors, UPVC guttering and upvc cladding. Eurocell plc has established an enviable reputation for its precision extruding capabilities and excellent customer service. Find out about their lean to conservatories today.
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