Cladding refers to adding a layer of lightweight covering to your building’s wall Interior/exterior or roof. In both residential and commercial buildings, it serves three main purposes;

1. Weather Proofing
Certain coating materials can help reduce or allow controlled infiltration of weather elements. This kind of commercial cladding affects the environmental performance of your building in different weather conditions. The kind of material used in this case depends on the weather aspects you want to shield your building from. For example, the covering material used to protect your building against direct sunlight differs from materials used to provide adequate water resistance or temperature insulation.

2. Aesthetic Purposes
Adding a covering also helps add a dramatic look to both the interiors and the exteriors of a building. It is one of the key elements contractors use to increase a building’s aesthetic appeal. This kind of also influences the property’s value directly and may involve materials that introduce different colour properties. Such materials that may not necessarily add to a building’s insulation property.

3. Fire Resistance and Thermal Insulation
Fire resistance and thermal insulation usually falls under secondary purposes of adding an extra covering. Certain fire resistant materials can help reduce fire damage to property. This type of commercial cladding is carried out as a precaution. For sound insulation, a number of materials can help achieve considerable degree of sound insulation especially in commercial buildings where silence is required.

Common Materials used
The type of materials used for commercial cladding differs depending on the desired effect. However, a number of factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing the materials to use. Common materials include;

1. Reconstituted timber products
Reconstituted Timber products are manufactured from forestry waste products. Their manufacture process involves addition of chemicals to improve its resistance properties. Reconstituted timber is considered one of the most common building materials. They may require moderate painting for improved aesthetic appearance.
Reconstituted timber products are ideal for areas with low moisture and low condensation risk; this is because mould can grow on them if exposed to regular condensation. Due to the chemical input during its manufacturing process, these materials usually have significant fire resistance.

2. Fibre cement products
This is usually produced in a controlled manufacturing plant environment. Different variations are available depending on manufacturing plant. Fibre cement products are mostly produced as weatherboards, sheets or planks.
This material is highly durable, has significant fire resistance and requires very low maintenance. In addition, regular painting can help increase its waterproof qualities.

3. Steel
Finally yet importantly, steel is also applicable for different applications. The gauge is one of the main considerations for determining its structural capacity. Steel finishing is considered very durable and although coloured finishing tends to fade, regular painting can help maintain the required look. These days, you can find steel sheets with thick rust coating to help prevent further corrosion over time. Surprisingly, this also helps increase its corrosion resistance over time.
Since steel expands, you need to ensure adequate tolerances are left at the joints and junctions during installation. In addition, you need to be very carefully when installing steel; this is because small things like lead pencil markings and scratches can cause early corrosion. However, through proper installation techniques, Galvanised steel lasts up to 100 years and is one of the most waterproof materials you can find today.
These are just a few of the common materials used these days. Please note that you can never run out of options when selecting materials to use. There are hundreds of other materials you can use depending on your budget and the purpose of the extra layer.