The façade of a building determines not only its external appearance but also its resistance and thermal insulation properties as well. In addition, to render, the external walls of a house can be finished with other materials that give it aesthetics, durability, and warmth. Particular attention should be paid to the currently fashionable façade panels. What is worth knowing about them?
What is cladding?
Facade claddings are decorative claddings that are fixed to external walls. They fulfill a double function – increasing the aesthetic valor of the building and providing additional protection against external factors.
The variety of claddings makes them adaptable to any architectural style. As a result, they are suitable for buildings with a traditional, manor house look and modern ones.
Why build claddings?
Cladding installation is associated with many benefits; therefore, they are trendy among investors today.
The main advantage of the claddings is aesthetics because, thanks to them, you can give the elevation a spectacular look. The claddings may be installed both on the whole wall surface and on individual elevation elements. Moreover, they look good with renders of different colors.
Claddings can improve the thermal insulation performance of a building. Façade panels with insulation, usually made of polystyrene foam, have the best properties. The heat transfer coefficient for polystyrene panels may be as high as approximately 0.025 W/mK.
Besides protecting against heat escape, claddings protect walls against mechanical damage, which is why they can be installed in places exposed to damage, dirt, e.g., at the garage, on the porch, or terrace.
Moreover, claddings are easy to install. Many of them, including polystyrene and PVC panels, are characterized by low weight, which eliminating costly sub-construction.
Tips for building claddings
Have you already chosen your cladding – dimensions, type of cladding, and manufacturer? Now it is time to start working! Despite appearances, installing claddings is not tricky.
First, it is necessary to remove any unnecessary elements found on the façade and then make a particular frame on which the panels will be placed. It is usually made of aluminum profiles.
The next step when laying the cladding is to install the starter strip and the vertical finishing panels. The façade panels are then placed between these elements, and the whole is secured with screws. Of course, it is worth remembering the recommendations of the cladding manufacturer and following the installation instructions.
How do you prepare cladding for painting?
Painting the cladding should be preceded by thoroughly cleaning the façade, e.g., using a pressure washer and detergent to clean facing boards.
How to repair claddings which has already lost its former appearance and needs renovation?
In the case of wooden boards, it is recommended to sand the surface to get rid of any imperfections, such as scratches. When painting vinyl boards, it is worth using acrylic paints, which form a flexible coating and adhere well to the substrate.
How to choose the color of cladding to the style of the house?
Wondering which colour is best for the installation of facade cladding? Popular colors are white, grey, anthracite, or brown. It is advisable to choose a shade that matches the property’s style.
White cladding is a frequent choice – the light colour reflects the sun’s rays and makes the panels not heat up so much. White is versatile and fits in with different styles, such as Scandinavian. Bet on grey cladding if you follow the trends and want your property to stand out from others. That is a proposal for owners of houses in a modern style. White or brown window frames match the grey cladding.
On the other hand, anthracite cladding will go well with black elements. Panels in this colour can be installed on barn-style houses – very fashionable recently. Different colors are also popular, e.g., brown oak cladding, which can finish the properties maintained in classic, manor style. Brown cladding will also be a universal choice – this colour will be suitable practically everywhere.
