Aesthetically, a well-insulated facade is a crowning glory of building a house. If you want it to be durable and weatherproof, check what basic mistakes not to make when building cladding.

What are the different exterior cladding materials?

There are many exterior cladding types. The first that comes to mind is PVC cladding – made of plastic and containing components that improve its performance. House cladding of this type is durable, lightweight, and easy to install. They do not weight the building structure and provide an impressive facade metamorphosis.

Although PVC panels are not expensive, another type – wood cladding – is currently gaining popularity. Timber cladding is a health-friendly and natural material, but needs regular maintenance to make it look impeccable. The most common timber cladding boards are made of species such as Siberian larch, spruce, or pine.

An alternative to timber cladding is fibre cement cladding, characterized by very high resistance to adverse weather conditions, requires no maintenance, and is resistant to surface scratches and discoloration.

The popular is also brick cladding or even stone cladding. The latter are the most impressive, but the heaviest and the hardest to install. Such cladding options’ undoubted advantage is their luxurious design and long life. Most stone panels are also resistant to moisture and require no maintenance. Their texture can be smooth and resistant to surface dirt.

How to install stone or timber cladding?

Quality products can only perform well if they are installed properly. First, it is necessary to remove all unnecessary elements on the solid walls and make a frame for fixing cladding (often made of aluminum profiles).

The next step is a starter strip and house cladding installation. We should place the materials between these elements and secure the whole with screws. Of course, it is worth remembering about manufacturer’s recommendation and following the installation instructions.

How to paint cladding on the outer wall?

Painting vinyl cladding is not complicated. To achieve the desired effect, you need to follow several rules. The first step is to prepare the surface. Unlike timber boarding, which must be cleaned and sanded before painting, it is enough to wash PVC thoroughly. For this, it is best to use ordinary water, soap, or a mild liquid. After washing off the dirt and mold, wait until the surface is dry.

The next step is to choose the right paint. Its type depends primarily on the material type. It is recommended to paint PVC cladding with acrylic paint. Such a product has good adhesion to vinyl panels, and the coating boasts high flexibility. It is important because vinyl cladding is susceptible to thermal stress and deforms when exposed to high temperatures.

How to choose exterior wall color?

Popular colors are mainly white, gray, anthracite, or brown. It is worth choosing a shade that matches the design style of the property.

White facade boarding is a common choice – the light color reflects the sun’s rays and makes the panels not so hot. White is versatile and suits a variety of styles, such as Scandinavian. If you follow trends and want your property to stand out, bet on gray facade siding. This is an option for homeowners with a modern style. The gray facade matches with white or brown window frames.

On the other hand, the anthracite facade will go well with black elements. Boardings of this color can be installed on barn-style houses – very fashionable recently. The popular is golden oak, which we can use to finish properties maintained in the classic manor style. A universal choice will also be elevation siding brown – this color will work virtually anywhere.