On June 14th, 2017, a fire broke out that destroyed the Grenfell Tower. This modern disaster led to the death of seventy-two individuals.
While the building’s cladding didn’t cause the fire, it did exacerbate it. What is cladding in construction?
It’s a popular technique that involves placing a “skin” over the exterior of a structure. Cladding comes in a variety of materials and colors. Not all of them are as flammable or dangerous as others.
Do you want to find out more about the types of cladding and how they’re used? Continue reading this guide to learn everything you need to know.
Why Is It Used?
As stated above, cladding is a skin that fits over the exterior of a building. There’s a wide range of reasons why a construction company may choose to use this technique.
The first reason is protection. Buildings that have undergone the cladding process don’t crack as easily as others. It protects the original material from the elements and changing temperatures.
Since cladding doesn’t require a lot of repair and cleaning, maintenance costs are low.
Some choose cladding for aesthetics. It allows homeowners to enjoy the look of stone without paying the high price.
Types of Cladding
There are many different types of construction cladding. The first one we’re going to talk about is brick.
Traditional brick siding is costly. It’s also vulnerable to moisture, and there are a limited number of colors to choose from.
Brick cladding mimics the same traditional look with the added benefit of more colors. Cladding also won’t wear down when faced with moisture.
Stone cladding uses a thin layer of marble, sandstone, and slate. Since it doesn’t absorb water, the color of the stones won’t fade over time.
UPVC is a polyvinyl compound that is easy to maintain. UPVC cladding can protect your home from the sun’s harsh UV rays. If properly installed, it can also keep your home warm in the winter and cool during the summer.
Timber cladding is renewable. This means if you decide to remove the timber in favor of a different type of cladding, you can always change back later. Timber also comes in a variety of different colors and textures.
What Are the Risks?
While there are a lot of uses for cladding, it doesn’t come without its risks. Certain cladding materials will burn at a rapid rate once they catch on fire.
Panels that contain over 30% polyethylene are highly flammable and should not be used.
What Is Cladding in Construction?
What is cladding in construction? It is a versatile technique that involves placing a thin material over the exterior of a building.
While it has many uses, there are also risks involved with using it. As long as it’s properly installed, however, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
For more information on construction, visit the Lifestyle section of our blog.
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