We’ve all seen it, but we might not know what it is! Cladding can be found on most buildings, residential or commercial, and is a system frequently used to improve the appearance of buildings, increasing thermal energy and protecting the property against the elements. If you’re new to cladding and want to know more, we’ve developed this ultimate guide to cladding for your convenience! In this article, discover the do’s, don’ts and handy maintenance tips involved in protecting an array of different cladding types.
The Do’s
The ‘Do’s’ of cladding are fairly simple! When your cladding is being built, and, indeed, when it’s installed, it’s wise to keep the following points in mind:
- Hire a façade consultant – A façade consultant will review the design and installation of your cladding, ensuring it is made to exact specifications. Without the advice and knowledge of a consultant, you might find yourself with cladding that doesn’t compliment your building, serve a purpose, or is far too expensive.
- Ensure enough setting space between the cladding and building – Setting space refers to the empty space between the back of cladding and the building itself. Enough setting space is required to hold your cladding in place, as sheet metal anchors require a fair amount of room! You don’t want your cladding falling or being damaged during bad weather, or if vandalism is a risk.
- Conduct a special inspection – For many types of cladding, such as brick, stone or aluminium, it’s essential to conduct a special inspection before installation is complete. This inspection is far more thorough than usual, and mistakes in the installation of your cladding are less likely to fall through the cracks.
The Don’ts
Simply put, don’t leave your cladding to chance. Don’t avoid completing inspections, don’t take your contractors work at face value, and don’t try to juggle the complexities of cladding yourself! Particularly when a building makes use of various different types of cladding, it can be hard to follow the installation process alone. A consultant helps massively with this. And, if your contractor says that there’s no mistakes, don’t believe them! Always check for loose anchor points, the quality of the material, and the setting space in your property.
How to maintain your cladding
It’s unavoidable that, over time, your cladding is going to face a little wear and tear! Dirt and grime can easily build up, but there’s a simple solution. You should maintain your cladding through the use of pressure washers, technology that easily blasts away dirt and grime to reveal the clean, sophisticated cladding underneath.
Developing a regular, intensive maintenance and repair plan for your cladding is absolutely essential. This keeps your building looking good, but also safe and protected against damage and the elements. By utilising technology that you can use yourself, such as the aforementioned pressure washers, maintenance becomes simple. Of course, where a professional is needed, do hire them! Sometimes, repairing damage or removing grime on a DIY basis isn’t always the most reasonable course of action.
Nevertheless, once you’ve got maintenance sorted, your cladding is sure to last and look good for a lifetime.
