The introduction of rainscreen cladding to the construction process has brought major improvements to the final product of any project. Buildings are now stable, more protected, better looking, and long-lasting.
And one great feature of rainscreen cladding is that you can never be limited in your choices. With dozens of cladding options available, there are endless possibilities, with the key being the right pick and a combination of compatible cladding styles.
If you don’t know where to start with your cladding choice, here’s a rundown of the top 10 popular choices:
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Metal Cladding
It’s one of the most common rainscreen claddings and sometimes involves the combination of two composite metals with a plastic in the middle. It offers great strength and durability to the building.
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Brick Cladding
Brick-and-stone cladding is beneficial for its resistance to UV rays and corrosion. It’s also great for adding natural scenery to the building as it combines stones and brick to give a traditional look to the building’s exteriors.
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Terracotta Cladding
It’s one of the most unique on this list due to its handmade nature. It’s crafted from clay and passed through fire to harden its texture. Due to its handmade nature, it can be moulded into various patterns to match the building’s aesthetics. Terracotta is mechanically anchored to the building during the construction process.
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Fibre Cement Cladding
The cladding type is what you get when you mix pulp, cement, and cellulose fibres. Thanks to its production process, it’s less porous and can form larger sheets. It also encourages easy fastening and is affordable too, making it easier to purchase in bulk.
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Ceramic Cladding
Another natural-looking cladding material that offers resistance to corrosion, UV resistance included. What makes it a good option is that ceramic cladding is resistant to pollution and offers better protection against fire accidents.
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Zinc Cladding
Loved for its durability and resistance, zinc cladding offers the best protection against UV rays. It also boasts moisture resistance, eliminating the risk of mould forming on building surfaces. It is prone to dents over time but still makes a pretty decent rainscreen cladding.
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Aluminium Cladding
Aluminium cladding is a popular option and a go-to for all building constructions and upgrade. It offers resistance to rust, and weather elements and adds great aesthetics to the building surface. It is bound to suffer scrapes over time.
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Steel Cladding
Steel cladding is a versatile option and comes with exciting properties, depending on the type you purchase. Galvanised steel is useful for protecting buildings against weather elements, stainless steel prevents accumulation of rust while weathering steel helps prevent corrosion.
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Porcelain Cladding
It’s similar to terracotta in the sense that clay is a major source material. However, it’s thinner and less porous than terracotta, ceramic, and fibre cement. It’s not the best for tall buildings due to its thin structure.
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Timber Cladding
It’s an eco-friendly option based on the weatherboarding properties of wood. It comes in various designs and can be combined with other rainscreen cladding materials to enhance a building’s appearance.
Conclusion
The multiple rainscreen cladding options ensure that there’s always a style that meets your taste. Their functions and individual benefits are also worth considering in case of specific building requirements.
