Cladding is an affordable option for those wanting to instantly improve the exterior of their home and give it kerb appeal. If you’re looking to build your own home or improve your existing property, here’s everything you need to know about house cladding.
What is Cladding?
Cladding is the placing of one material over another in the process of building. This material, often timber, is applied to the exterior of the house to improve aesthetics, weather resistance and thermal efficiency.
It can be added to an existing building or incorporated into the design of a new one.
Timber cladding is attached to the primary structure of the building and comes in a variety of styles and colours.
International Timber, the UK’s leading importer and distributor of bespoke and sustainable timber, sell a wide range of high-quality cladding, so you can be sure to find the best cladding to improve your property.
The Benefits of Cladding
So, what’s the point in cladding then? Here are some of the benefits cladding can add to your property.
Aesthetically Appealing
The main reason people opt for cladding on their home is to improve its appearance. Cladding can dramatically improve your home, raising its market value.
Protection
Opting for cladding on your home adds a layer of protection, making it more resistant to cracks.
Increased Insulation
Cladding offers a layer of insulation to your home. This improves thermal efficiency and reduces noise too. This makes it easier to regulate the temperature in your home and work towards saving money on your energy bills.
Less Maintenance
Cladding doesn’t require much cleaning or repairing, saving you time, effort and money.
Easy Installation
Timber cladding is a great choice for those looking to improve the appearance of their home, without having to rely on professional installation services. The process of installing timber cladding is both easy and simple, especially for those who’ve worked on similar DIY projects in the past.
Cladding Costs
The cost of cladding can vary depending on the material you choose.
Timber is the best option for those on a budget. The cost of this depends on the size of your home, the design you’d like and the number of boards that are needed.
How to Install Cladding
Once you have chosen the cladding most suitable for your home, you may be wondering whether you need a professional to install it. If you have experience with similar DIY projects, it may be a cheaper option to fit the cladding yourself. However, it’s always best to call a professional as DIY jobs often lead to disasters.
If you are wondering how to fit cladding yourself, here’s a brief step-by-step guide. Please note that this process will vary slightly depending on the material you choose.
What do you need?
- Cladding
- Cladding pins
- Spirit level
- Wood filler
- Power drill
- Saw
- Battens
- Varnish
- Pencil
Step 1
Once the wall is prepared, nail the battens horizontally to the wall.
Step 2
Apply any paint or varnish to the cladding after sanding it down.
Step 3
Mark where you are placing the cladding with a pencil.
Step 4
Saw any edges off and sand them down.
Step 5
Once the cladding is dry, choose a starting point. Use a spirit level to check that all of the boards are level and straight.
Step 6
Nail the boards into the batten.
Step 7
Once all of the cladding is in place, fit any skirtings and use wood filler to fill out any gaps.
Conclusion
Now we have taken you through a number of reasons to invest in house cladding – the decision is yours.
If you want to improve your home with a durable, eco-friendly solution, cladding is the way to go.
I like that you mentioned how cladding is an affordable option for those wanting to instantly improve the exterior of their home and give it kerb appeal. The exterior of our house looks a bit too dull, so I am planning on renovating it. For that, I am thinking of having cladding installed on our house.