There are many benefits to choosing steel cladding sheets across every industry and building type. Although we have explored the benefits of steel for the main construction and frame of the building, we thought it was time we looked at the wonders of steel cladding sheets in more detail.
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One of the standout features of steel cladding sheets is their exceptional durability. With proper maintenance, these sheets will last for decades, significantly reducing the need for major repair work over time.
Steel cladding sheets are naturally more resistant to fire and pests and can be treated to ensure protection against corrosion. Unlike wood, which can rot and requires regular maintenance, you can pretty much leave steel cladding alone.
This means you are less likely to run into any problems and need to replace your steel cladding sheets compared with other options. Steel is also much more weather resistant, especially once coated or treated, meaning it will survive the constant rainy English weather without any change or damage.
We all know that steel is also incredibly strong and unlikely to crack or warp, unlike vinyl or fibre cladding.
Steel is 100% recyclable and can be recycled infinitely without compromising its integrity. An estimated 86% of steel used in UK construction is recycled, making it a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly choice.
Cement cladding, on the other hand, has a high carbon footprint due to its construction process, especially when compared to steel. This is also true of terracotta cladding, which also requires clay extraction and can negatively impact the environment.
Although wood cladding might sound equally as sustainable as steel (as long as it is not attributed to deforestation) due to its lack of longevity, it is nowhere near comparable to steel cladding sheets in terms of sustainability. The same can be said for aluminium too, which can be recycled infinitely but will need replacing much more often.
Steel cladding sheets are exceptionally energy efficient, especially with the addition of reflective coatings that reduce heat absorption. This helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, reducing the need for additional heating or cooling.
Vinyl cladding, however, often requires additional insulation to match the energy efficiency of steel. Its limited insulating properties can lead to much higher energy costs over time.
Glass cladding can create visually stunning designs but struggles with energy efficiency. It can lead to significant heat loss or gain (quite like a greenhouse), which makes additional temperature controls like air conditioning necessary.
Steel cladding sheets are known for being low-maintenance. They are resistant to corrosion, pests, and fire, making them a truly hassle-free choice for buildings for anyone looking for minimal ongoing maintenance.
Wood cladding offers a natural finished look but requires frequent treatments to protect against rot, insects, and the weather. The need for regular painting or staining increases maintenance efforts and will take up a lot of your time (and money).
Although fibre cement cladding is more durable than wood, it can still suffer from cracking and requires painting and sealing to maintain its appearance and integrity over time. Not to mention that fibre cement can be incredibly hazardous to build with.
Steel cladding sheets are exceptionally cost-effective for the reasons listed above. Their long lifespan means fewer replacements and repairs, which means significant savings over time.
While vinyl cladding might be cheaper to start with, it will need much more frequent replacements and repairs due to how quick fading and cracking it can be, leading to higher long-term costs.
Brick cladding involves high upfront costs and labour-intensive installation. Additionally, the need for regular maintenance to address cracks, mould control, and general deterioration will lead to high future costs.
These are just our top 5 favourite benefits of choosing steel cladding sheets and we’ve not even touched on the fact they can be fabricated to your exact, bespoke specifications.
Whether it’s a modest one-story house or a twelve-hundred square-meter mansion, the sides of a building are its public face – it’s what’s shown to the world. As such, it needs to look its best, and “put its best foot forward,” to use an idiom. Facade cladding is an important step in accomplishing a two-fold purpose: it protects a home from the elements, while also enhancing its visual appeal.
While visual style may not always be the first thing that comes to mind when choosing the cladding type, it is an essential part of the equation. The visual style of a facade can affect the mood and “energy” of people coming and going, and can influence the overall atmosphere of the building.
Facade Cladding is the process of adding outer layers to the external sides of a structure. Think of it like placing a second skin onto a house. As mentioned above, this second skin has the added benefit of being a second protective layer against rain, wind, snow, heat, and cold. This second skin can also affect the aesthetic quality of a home – making it look magnificent if done right.
With so many options to choose from, it can be helpful to have some inspiration to get things started. Here are the top five facade cladding ideas to make any home look great!
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Typical style: Retro 80’s American
Quick review: for those who want that retro look, and don’t mind a few nicks and dents.
Details: The first of the metal facade cladding materials, aluminum is most commonly used if water damage is a concern. Because aluminum is resistant to water, is does not mold or rot. However, aluminum can be easily damaged from a flying piece of debris or even a stray bird. If aluminum is going to be used in a wide-open, uncontrolled space where such things are more likely, it may be better to choose a different material.
Also, while aluminum does not mold or rot, it can rust. Extra care must be taken during installation to ensure that the seals are completely intact so that no moisture can enter. After installation, regular maintenance must be performed on the sealant to ensure that it remains unbroken.
Typical style: Classic Natural
Quick review: For the nature buff that doesn’t mind heavyweight and a heavy price tag.
Details: Stone cladding has a lot of things going for it: it’s strong, it’s attractive, and it’s unique. Unfortunately, it also has a lot of negatives: it’s heavy, it’s costly to purchase, and equally expensive to install. Even with faux stone siding, the cost is still higher than the average budget would allow.
Ventilation and moisture can also be problems with stone cladding. Areas with a hot climate should generally avoid stone siding altogether, as mold problems will likely ensue, causing a lot of problems.
Typical style: Various
Quick review: The look can be changed for a price. More robust than aluminum, but comes with an increased price and weight.
Details: Steel cladding is the second metal material on our list, and it’s an interesting one. Steel shares some properties with its aluminum cousin while avoiding some of its weaknesses. Steel, like aluminum, is resistant to water and doesn’t bend or dent nearly as easily as aluminum does. Steel can also be decorated and painted to take on a different look, such as wood, or even vinyl.
Not everything is perfect with steel, though. As with stone cladding, steel is heavy. This weight can cause all sorts of problems. From the increased cost to the extra load on the home’s foundation, these are issues that need to be taken into account with steel.
Typical style: Modern
Quick review: More elegant than vinyl, but still carries some heft. Suitable for hot weather.
Details: Clay is one of the newer kids on the block when it comes to siding choices. To the untrained eye, it looks similar to aluminum, though clay has a bit of a brighter flare to it. The main benefit to clay siding is not so much its visual appeal, but its insulation properties. Clay siding is very good at repelling heat, which makes it a smart choice in warm climates.
In what seems to be a recurring phrase in this list, though, lies the main disadvantage of clay, which is its weight. While not as heavy as stone or steel cladding, clay is still quite hefty. An inspection may need to be performed to ensure the structure can support the weight of the clay siding.
Style: Various
Quick review: Elegant, unique, durable, and light. Suitable for all sorts of homes, with an outstanding price/performance ratio.
Details: A unique option on this list is charred wood (Japanese: Shou Sugi Ban or Yakisugi). This is an ancient art of preserving and strengthening wood that requires expert skill and craftsmanship. Through the process of Shou Sugi Ban, the wood is very precisely burned and treated according to time-honored Japanese tradition. The result is a fire-resistant wood that is extremely resilient to weather and the elements, often lasting decades – up to 100 years.
The charred wood creates a beautiful and elegant visual style that is unique to each type of wood. Therefore, a different look and style can be achieved simply by using different woods.
One downside to Shou Sugi Ban is that the process requires real expertise to prepare the wood, and some practitioners charge an arm and a leg. This is not a problem, though, because Degmeda offers traditional and timeless wood-charred products. You’ll find the ideal options for siding, flooring, fencing, decking, and other indoor or outdoor projects. Contact us to receive the best possible price with exquisite quality.
Facade cladding can figuratively and literally make or break a home, both from a visual standpoint and even from a structural one. This is why having all the essential information and a good starting point is so important. Contact Degmeda today and take the first step towards a beautiful finish.