Different Types of Facade and Cladding Systems

The exterior of a building is often referred to as ‘facade’ or ‘cladding’ and the two terms are often confused. Although the two words sound similar, they have very different meanings.

The facade of a building is its primary exterior form. It is usually the part of the building that faces the street or an open space. If you see an ordinary office, hotel, or commercial building, the facade is the side that faces the street or entrance. Most of the time, when we talk about the facade of a building, we are referring to its appearance. This includes the design, color, style, material, and texture of the facade.

Generally, cladding is a layer of facade that surrounds the exterior of a building. These cladding layers are used to protect the building from the elements and give it a certain appearance. This layer usually consists of a series of panels.

Cladding and facades come in a variety of sizes, forms, and materials. In most cases, they are made from stone, glass, metal, wood, mixed materials, or concrete. In order to ‘fix’ itself to the exterior of a building, facade cladding is installed using wall anchors, infill, or more sophisticated methods.

We will cover the different types of facade and cladding materials and how they are attached in this article.

Variations in Materials

Cladding can be made from a number of different materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Wooden Cladding

Wood is one of the most expensive cladding materials. However, people usually choose it because of its unique natural appearance. It is usually made from slender pieces of wood that can be stacked vertically, horizontally, or crosswise. As wood cladding comes in a variety of styles and looks natural. Therefore it is usually the most aesthetically pleasing option.

If you use sustainably grown wood for your siding, it can help reduce your carbon footprint and the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. The reason for this is that wood continues to store carbon even after the trees are cut down. Since wood is a great insulator, it also retains a lot of heat. So you won’t have to use as much heating in the winter.

Composite Wall Cladding

Composite Cladding is a new type of exterior wall cladding that is a great alternative to wood. Composite wall cladding has the look of solid wood and doesn’t require regular maintenance. This robust, low-maintenance cladding material is becoming increasingly popular.

As a synthetic cladding material, composite cladding comes in a wide range of colors and wood grain finishes. You can choose the cladding you want to meet your design needs without the need to paint it to change its appearance.

Stone Walls

Stone has been used in construction for thousands of years. This is because stone is known to be very durable and beautiful. In modern architecture, stone cladding is popular because it is an easy way to get the look of stone without having to build stone walls.

Stone cladding protects buildings from rain and other weather because it does not allow water to seep in. Stone cladding is also easy to maintain compared to other materials.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is inexpensive and has a modern look. Vinyl siding is usually made in horizontal strips or sheets. It is available in a variety of colors and is energy efficient. You can also add an extra layer of insulation to make it your own. This helps to keep the temperature of the building stable.

Vinyl cladding is usually inexpensive and easy to install. However, it cannot be used in many commercial spaces.

Glass Cladding

Glass cladding is one of the most common types of cladding used in modern office and retail buildings. It is beautiful to look at, very modern, and has excellent thermal insulation.

Most glass cladding is made from tempered glass or fiberglass. This type of glass is strong, unbreakable, and can withstand a lot of impact. The main problem with glass cladding is that it is expensive and difficult to install. This is because complex systems and methods are required to hold it securely in place.

Brick Cladding

The external brick cladding looks like a brick wall because the bricks and joints are of the correct design and color. Precast panels make brick wall cladding easy and inexpensive to install. It is also strong and will not be damaged by weather. In addition, brick cladding does not require much maintenance compared to other types of cladding.

Fiber Cement Cladding

Fiber cement cladding is a mixture of cement, cellulose, sand, and synthetic fibers. It combines the best of science and nature. It is very strong, very flexible, and easy to install.

Metal Cladding

Metal cladding is a material commonly used in the construction of industrial and commercial buildings. Metal cladding is available in steel, aluminum, and sometimes zinc. This material is non-flammable, reusable, and inexpensive. And because the panels are large and light, they are easy to install. Metal cladding is usually used on farms, in rural areas, in warehouses, and in factories. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly popular to use it for modern office buildings.

Different Types of Cladding Installation Systems

There are many different types of cladding installation systems on the market today. And each has its own advantages. The following are some of the common cladding installation systems.

Attachment Systems

Most cladding is prefabricated into panels. The attached cladding systems have external prefabricated cladding panels fixed directly to the frame of the building. To fix the cladding in the building, it needs to be lifted into place and secured with anchors or fixings.

Other systems take longer to install than attached cladding systems. The attached cladding installation makes the construction process quick and easy. Attached systems not only make construction easier but also insulate the structural frame from the weather.

Curtain Wall Systems

Curtain wall systems have many benefits for large buildings with multiple floors. The frame of the curtain wall is attached to the frame of the building and does not carry roof or floor loads.

Curtain wall systems are similar to attached systems, but the curtain walls are installed differently. A curtain wall system is a non-structural cladding consisting of a lightweight frame to which clear or glass panels are attached. The curtain wall method is most commonly used to construct metal or glass facades.

Infill Systems

An infill cladding system is used to install a type of siding between the frame and the walls of a building. The structural frame supports the cladding system and the cladding forms a wall between the interior and exterior environments. An infill system differs from other types of cladding systems because it is attached to the inside of the building frame rather than to the outside.

This method is commonly used for stone and brick cladding finishes. Glass and precast concrete can also be used successfully with this method, but require more work.

Summary

Although there is more to facade and cladding than meets the eye, hopefully, this article has helped you to understand how they work and their different characteristics. Whether the facade cladding is made of glass, stone, or composite, correct installation and subsequent maintenance is an important part of keeping the building in good condition and functioning properly.

COOWIN offers a wide range of composite wall cladding in a variety of colors and wood grains, which will not only enhance your home’s appearance but will also require less maintenance and upkeep. With COOWIN composite cladding, you can make your house attract more attention.