Facts About Vertical & Horizontal Cladding in the UK

An article by Paul    Comments Off on Facts About Vertical & Horizontal Cladding in the UK

As far as we can remember, vertical & horizontal cladding has always featured prominently in the construction of both homes as well as offices. This technique also known as weatherboard consists of attaching an additional material over the existing structure. Cladding is done for various reasons. First it is to protect the structure from elements of weather. Second is to enhance the aesthetic or ornamental appeal. Third is to put a check on infiltration of wind, moisture or heat. The following are some facts about cladding:

 Types of Cladding

There are several materials used for cladding. Each material will also have its specific advantages and disadvantages. As a home owner, office owner or constructor, it is necessary to ascertain which material will be the moist suitable. Factors dictating choice include cost, availability, current trends, eco-friendliness, durability, ease of use and more. The most popular materials used in the UK are weatherboard, metal, stone, timber, fiber cement, aluminium, vinyl, brick, fiber cement, UPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride), concrete and foam.

Fastening

Most of the cladding panels or planks can be nailed onto the battens directly. Unfortunately, there is also the risk of splitting or cracking the plank. This especially will affect timber, or upvc. To minimise such an occurrence, pre-drilling the holes is more ideal. The nails or screws used to attach the planks shouldn’t be less than two and a half times the breadth or thickness of the plank. It is always appropriate to used non-corrosive nails instead of steel nails. Quality fasteners include marine quality and galvanized nails.

EIFS the Newest Trend

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is currently the newest vertical & horizontal cladding technology in the market. This type of cladding will mostly feature in commercial buildings. An artificial material is used to cover plastic panels. In may appear similar to Stucco only that synthetic compounds are used instead of normal cement. When properly plastered with cement it will look just like solid stone. EIFS is light in weight, durable, can withstand moisture and drainage better, and also has a more attractive finish.

 Placing

Timber cladding shouldn’t be placed in a position where it has direct contact with soil. Also, it shouldn’t be used in areas that usually flood or accumulate too much moisture. Doing so will make the timber expand or contract too often leading to cranking or shrinking. Furthermore, it may also lead to rotting, mold or mildew infestation. Typically, the lower edge should be at least 6 inches (15 centimetres) off the ground. The lower edge of a plank should be angular hence forming a drip line.

Due to the value addition that comes with cladding, it is becoming norm to see it applied in many constructions. Some materials will be best suited for exterior applications. These include stone, bricks, metal, fiber cement and EIFS among others. Materials such as marble, aluminium, upvc, timber and others are more effective in the interior. Correcting a mistake when fixing vertical & horizontal cladding can be quite costly and time consuming. Therefore, it is always necessary to get it right the first time.