Discover the benefits and disadvantages of choosing architectural cladding for your home’s exterior here in Melbourne.
Ready to give your exterior some personality? One of the best ways to make a distinctive facade is to incorporate architectural cladding. The options when it comes to materials will give you a lot to choose from as far as colours and flexibility, allowing for limitless designs on your exterior.
But not all things are 100 percent perfect. There have to be some downsides, right? Surprisingly, there are few drawbacks to going with an architectural cladding. But to be fully transparent about what you can expect from your new surface, we’re taking a closer look at the pros and cons of architectural cladding.
If you want to learn more about architectural cladding, check out our other resources:
1. How much does architectural cladding cost
Breaking down architectural cladding
Cladding itself is an essential component of a building’s exterior. It’s designed to protect a structure from the elements while also providing functional and aesthetic benefits. To clad something is to cover it with a material over another material, typically a substructure that requires protection from the elements. Cladding can come in a variety of materials including vinyl, stone, concrete, and timber, to name a few.
Architectural cladding, then, is a cladding that provides a designer flair while also protecting the building underneath. These systems create an architectural aesthetic that is unique and creative when it comes to shapes, profiles, lines, and materials.
The best architectural cladding tends to be easy to manipulate into different designs and flexible enough to fit specific profiles that create visual interest. Metal cladding in particular is a popular choice because of the many benefits it offers when it comes to energy efficiency, insulation, and design flexibility.
Architectural cladding and longevity
But is architectural cladding all beauty and no bite? Not at all.
Depending on the material or metal you choose, you can expect your architectural cladding system to last between 50-100 years or more when installed properly. Corrugated steel in particular is known for its longevity as well as its decorative flair, coming in a variety of colours and panel sizes to meet any design needs.
Even better, architectural cladding is fairly low maintenance. Zero harsh chemicals required, all you’ll need to do is occasionally brush or rinse away dirt and debris with water. Keep in mind that zinc and copper are designed as natural alloys that will acquire a unique patina overtime and change in appearance. Other materials, like aluminium and steel, come precoated and will not require any painting or touch ups during their lifetime.
The key benefits of architectural cladding
Durable
We already mentioned longevity, and that can be attributed to how much of a beating architectural cladding can take from Mother Nature. This option is designed to last for decades upon decades, with metals selected for this facade such as zinc even being self-healing.
Environmentally responsible
The fact that architectural cladding lasts as long as it does also helps keep materials from becoming waste from frequent replacement. In addition, many metals, such as zinc and steel, are 100% recyclable, so when your cladding does reach the end of its lifetime, it can be repurposed. Architectural cladding is also a fabulous insulator, helping to drive down heating and cooling costs and making your HVAC usage more environmentally responsible, too.
Versatile
Metal architectural cladding in particular is also able to adapt to different surface shapes and styles in ways that other facade materials, like brick and concrete, simply can’t compete with. Not only that, but the options for finishes, colours, panel widths, and forms are nearly endless.
Protective
In addition to insulating your home from the elements more efficiently than other cladding types, architectural cladding is notoriously protective. They stop water absorption to help prevent mould and water damage. They also prevent substantial sun damage and are designed to be colour fast. Internal structures are also protected from rain, wind, sound, and extremes in temperature fluctuation.
Design
Did we mention that architectural cladding just looks amazing, too? From accents to entire exteriors, this option is designed to be stunning and stand out from the crowd with massive curb appeal. Home designers can incorporate architectural cladding for designs of all kinds as well, from traditional to modern and contemporary.
The few drawbacks to architectural cladding
Architectural cladding comes with so many benefits, it’s hard to see the few cons for all of the pros. But there are a few factors to consider, and first and foremost is cost. Architectural cladding is not the cheapest option for a facade, and with good reason. The materials themselves, including zinc, copper, steel, and aluminium, are not as inexpensive as options like vinyl or concrete. Responsible homeowners will want to be sure they budget accordingly.
Interested in learning more? Read on: How much does architectural cladding cost?
Another factor to keep in mind is the cost of repairs. While architectural cladding is incredibly resilient, damage to a panel will cost you. It’s more about the cost of the repair services than the materials in this case. Installation, and repair, require a lot of skill, and installers may charge upward of $100 per square metre for their time.
Go with the pros in architectural cladding in Melbourne
Ready to explore architectural cladding for your build project? We’re certain you’ll find the style, size, and colour to suit any design with the wide variety of architectural cladding products available here in Melbourne.
Advanced Metal Cladding is the region’s premier boutique service for architectural cladding and roofing solutions, encompassing more than 40 years of experience with residential applications. Our experts are focused on customer satisfaction including everything from accurate quotes that minimise waste to thorough installations that guarantee compliance with all Australian Standards.
To get started with estimating your own project, simply call us on 0497 009 390. We’ll be happy to discuss your needs and provide a customised quote as part of a truly collaborative process.
