(A big “thank you” to our friends at Peter & Lesley Bracey Home Improvements for sponsoring this post!)
When you’re dressing up the exterior of your home with your favorite wreaths, it’s also a good idea to make sure the house itself is in great shape. Whether you want to prepare your home to sell it or simply want it to look its best—you’ll need to look at the current coating and consider either repairing or replacing it.
Cladding or siding your home will do more than just make your property look good. It will also protect the walls and can improve your home’s ability to retain heat in the winter. That means making your home look better can actually reduce your energy bills.
But, how do you know which is the right cladding or siding option for your home and budget? We break down a few of the available options below.
What Is Cladding / Siding?
In effect, this is simply two names for the same type of thing, a protective covering for your home. There are usually three elements involved:
- Housing Wrap
This is a special layer applied over your existing brickwork that will stop water from getting into the wall and prevent air from leaking in or out of your home. It is this that will really help with maintaining the temperature inside your home.
- Rigid Foam
Next is the rigid foam layer which is effective insulation. This compliments the housing wrap and dramatically improves the ability of the cladding to keep heat in your home. It works in the same way as any other insulation material by preventing air movement.
- Siding
Finally, the cladding or siding goes on the top. This is the layer that transforms your home and makes it look good.
Choosing Your Cladding
The first thing you need to check is whether there are any specific rules regarding cladding in your area. If your property is in a historic district you may be limited regarding what cladding you can use.
Cladding comes in a huge array of colors and materials. They should all do the same job you’ll simply need to decide which your preferred choice is:
The most popular option is still upvc cladding, but you can opt for wood, render, stone, fiber cement cladding, vinyl or even metal. The selection available is impressive.
It is worth noting that some cladding materials will need more maintenance than others. For example wood cladding will need to be painted or stained regularly. You will also need to be vigilant to ensure that no wood boring infestations occur.
Sustainable Cladding
There are several factors to consider when deciding how environmentally friendly your cladding is.
Wood may seem to be the obvious choice, but you will need to verify that it has come from a sustainable source and may not last as long as some other options, such as upvc which has been made from recycled materials.
You should consider these factors before selecting your preferred cladding option:
- How long will the cladding last?
- Is it sourced locally?
- What maintenance is required?
- Have recycled materials been used?
- Will it biodegrade over time?
Then all you need to do is choose your preferred color—and that’s the fun part since these days a much wider and bolder range of colors are available to truly transform your home.
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